Fear and fundraising

I sent out my fund-raising letter this morning (actually my second-round fundraising letter since I tucked one in with each box of chocolates I sent out in October) and $600 in donations have come in so far, bringing my total up to $3170!  I’m ecstatic.  I’m also only halfway to my target, so if you are so inspired, please do consider sponsoring me – every donation, no matter how small, is a great help to people living with HIV (and those who might be infected, if not for the outreach programs!).  http://www.aidslifecycle.org/1017

Anyway, I’m pleased, both that my letter’s been so effective (I expect a bunch more donations still to come in) and that I’ve gotten more comfortable with fundraising.  The first time I wrote a fundraising letter I was absolutely terrified, figuring everyone would be horribly offended and that I’d lose a bunch of friends.  That didn’t happen (thank goodness!), and I’m less nervous about it these days, but it’s still unnerving to have to ask for something – because people might say “no”, and like most people I’m terrified of rejection.  I’m still not really comfortable with it, which is one of the reasons I try to “give back” with my chocolates – so it’s closer to a trade than to begging.  But I’m still a lot more comfortable “asking” than I used to be, and I think that’s a good thing – like so much else, it’s a matter of pushing through the fear to expand what you can do (and in this case, help a good cause!).

I haven’t yet reached the panache of the top fundraisers, of course. Beth Brewer, one of the top fundraising riders, has raised $13,200 so far and says she does it by asking absolutely everyone she meets, even people she’s talking to in supermarket lines or at the laundromat.  I haven’t that kind of guts.  But I’m getting better about asking people to help me, and I’ve raised over $17,000 for the AIDS Foundation over the course of my rides, so in my modest way I feel like I’m doing something.

I have finished the second muslin for the peacock-feather tutu – it’s okay, but I need to raise the back somewhat.  Another muslin to go.  Bonnie has also given me some tips on simple network drafted satin, and I think I’ll give that a try.   That and a couple of long rides should keep me busy this weekend.