Fundraising in a Small Town

 

      Yes, raising funds for a particular need is much different in a small town area.  There are several different approaches.  Sometimes a church group or a club will attempt a big city plan and hold a car wash or sell candy bars.  The car wash doesn't get many customers, because we here in this stretch of the woods really don't have shiny cars to begin with.  Washing them just takes away the grime that hides the rust and the expired licence plates.  Candy bars are great, but once everyone sells them to their relatives, the whole town is covered and you can't sell anymore.
     Now, a small town area takes some ingenious thought to getting into that pocket to get the funds you need for some project or deficit.  A lot of times people take the direct approach.  Because of this, about once or twice a year, the traffic on my side street becomes unbearable. Those are the days that I know to avoid the four-way stop in town.  The four-way stop is an intersection in the middle of town.  Of course, there are 4 stop signs and each direction must stop there.  It gets humorous when all 4 stop at the same time we have to try and figure out who goes first, but that's another episode entirely.  But, someone a long time ago realized that they could make a profit off of this opportunity. It is usually the fire department guys or the ambulance workers who gather 5 gallon buckets and stand in the middle of the road at the 4 way stop and solicit funds right there. They are always dressed in their particular uniforms.  It reminds me of when I was in South America and the people would sell you some trinket or wash your window right as you were stopped in traffic.  I don't know how effective this method is.  I do know that a lot of people avoid the area when they are there! 
     And then there is the indirect approach.  I call it "Fattening for Funds".  At least once a week the sign at the 4 way stop announces some kind of fundraising dinner to be held at the Senior Center.  It will share the menu, time and who the funds will go to.  Often it will be announced on the radio as well, giving such information as: "free will offering" and "homemade pies".  This must be a rather effective way of raising money as often as they are held.  It goes back to the long held belief  that the way to a man's wallet is through his stomach.  Those who hold these meals have to get rather creative to draw a big crowd.  I'm sure they feel that their menu choice is of utmost importance.  Occasionally they will advertise "homemade noodles" or "liver and onions", seeking to entice a particular crowd. 
     The local high school has come up with some unique ways of raising money too.  Of course, we get the usual orders for fruit in the winter, cookie dough in the spring and candy bars the whole year through, but they came up with a new way a few years ago.  They advertised in the paper that they were taking donations for their  band trip to Hawaii.  Those that donated would receive a Hawaiian flower painted on their driveway, sidewalk or front curb.  And, for added incentive, each flower represented a certain amount.  So, it became a matter of pride.  Each business proudly displayed their collection of flowers out on the front sidewalk, loudly exclaiming their amount of monetary donation!  Those flowers are still visible in town, even after several years.  They have been joined by pictures of Indians, alligators and footballs, each designating different causes that were given to.
     Finally, there is the most effective approach, just plain need.  When a family has a tragedy or medical need or if their house burns down, the whole community joins in one accord to help in any way they can.  The method does not matter, whether it is a coffee can on the grocery store counter, a yard sale or just a clothing drive, we all chip in because we have seen the hurt first hand, or have been there ourselves. We are all familiar with the pleas for money that we are bombarded with daily.  We have our emotions toyed with; we are fed some sob story about someone who needs help. Our mailboxes teem with pleas for funds to be sent to hospitals, cancer patients and wildlife preserves.  Yet, when it comes to someone we know, our hearts are moved even more, because we have seen the suffering and the need first hand. We know that the gifts we are giving will really go to that person and not just to some corporate office.  This is a community of friends and family, and when one of us suffers, we all suffer........but you'll get that in a small town.

Tired Old Truck

     At one time it was a brand new pickup truck.  A retired man drove it off the lot and took it home to his small farm.  It was a prize, a reward for years of hard work, a trophy from the sweat and tears spent in the past.  This was a truck to be proud of.  It took many trips through the man's watermelon fields, or down the road to the local cafe everyday.  It even was nice enough to drive the man and his wife to church on Sundays. Yes, it was a good truck.  The grandchildren would ooh and ahh over the shiny chrome, and fight over a chance to go to the sale barn with Grandpa. The finish was shiny; the vinyl seats were smooth and clean.

     Fast forward several years. The man had a teenage grandson who greatly admired the truck. Even though it had already racked up many a mile, it had the ruggedness that a teen, who had just received his license, looked for in a first vehicle.  It was now a trophy for a young man. But, it was also a lesson learned.  The young man learned the value of a dollar and the rewards of paying off a debt early. It became a vehicle to haul the young man's mowing trailer and helped him establish a reputation of faithfulness and hard work.  It was also the truck that he and his future wife dated in.  Though old, it was a good and faithful truck. It now had a CD player, instead of the old 8 track. The young man also added cruise control.  He put many miles on it travelling cross country to visit his future bride.  Besides the many miles, the truck now held many memories.

     The tired old truck still has a future.  It has listened in on many discussions between that young man and his son as they dream about the future and one day fixing it up together.  The young man knows the thrill of having a good truck when you are first driving and he wants that for his son. 



     The old truck no longer shines.  The chrome has rusted. The steering wheel is now shiny with wear.  The vinyl seats are now cracked and dull.  The original owner has now retired to heaven.  But the memories still remain.

     Today, the tired old truck broke down.  Working in 105 degree weather would cause any old timer to collapse.  Fix it? Of course!  This is a valuable family heirloom.  Sorry, old friend, you're not ready for the truck graveyard, yet, we have plans for your future.............but you'll get that in a small town.



Small Town News #1

I needed a laugh this week.  I found this among my files and thought I'd share. This is one of my favorite small town headlines ever............but you'll get that in a small town!

A Tribute

     Actor Andy Griffith passed away today.  He was well known for his series "The Andy Griffith Show" which aired in the 1960's.  He was a small town boy who grew up in Mt. Airy, North Carolina.  His love of that town and its people helped to shape many of the episodes for the show. If fact, though there was an entire team of writers for the show, I have read that Andy had his hand in every episode, influencing the scenarios and adding that small town flair.
     His portrayal of a rural sheriff and the funny predicaments that accompany that job made us all love the homey feeling of the small town life and yearn to find a Mayberry of our own.
     Thank you, Andy, for reminding us that we need to look for the humor even in the difficult times of life.  Thank you for helping us smile at the joy of prize winning pickles and the antics of the local filling station attendant. Thanks for giving us an understanding of the simple law that rules in a rural area, that looks to build character more than serve the letter of the law, but you'll get that in a small town.

Stolen Vehicles

     I just read a report this morning about the cities in America that have the most stolen cars. I checked the list.  No, my town isn't mentioned. What a relief.   It got me to thinking about the reasons why vehicles don't get stolen in small towns.  Here are a few thoughts:

1. No one wants a car with camouflage paint details, extra large mudding tires or a license plate that says "Bubba".

2. The nosy neighbors next door are ALWAYS watching!

3. The sheriff and his 3 deputies all know the names, dates of birth and favorite hideouts of everyone in the area.

4. The gun rack in the back is a good indication that the owner has his weapon under his pillow and won't hesitate to shoot on sight.

5.  The local gossips would see your vehicle being driven by someone else and would either call the cops or start a rumor about an affair.

6. The sheriffs office actually answers the phone and responds rather quickly to calls.

7. There is a large, very loud attack dog on at least every block who would bark out a warning at any stranger within a block's radius.

8. No one wants a vehicle with over 284,000 miles.

9. The thief would worry that the dried deer blood on the truck bed might make the cops suspicious if he were caught.

10. The jumble of wires and duct tape on the door handle prevents them from even trying.

11. The battery cables just within reach are also a great deterrent.

And finally, the best reason that cars are very seldom stolen in a small town?

12. Small town people believe in good ol' fashioned right and wrong; and they just choose to respect each other's property..............but you'll get that in a small town!

Only in the Country....#1

'Saw this awesome sight this morning.

 As we came over a hill, we could see him high on the next hill.  Vultures aren't usually my favorite bird, but this guy was so huge, you could see him from so far away. 

     I have read that vultures dry off their wings in the morning sunshine, but had never seen it for myself before.  That's what I love about rural life. Where else do you get to see stuff like this?  And, where else could you stop right in the middle of the road to snap a picture???  But, you'll get that in a small town...  :)

The Dog and Gun

  

      If you were to go to a travel agent and sign up for a Hillbilly trip to northern Missouri, one of the activities on your agenda would have to include "The Dog and Gun".  'Round in these parts, it is an important ritual that takes place every other weekend in the summertime. Its official title is the "Rutledge Flea Market".  Its website boasts that there are over 1000 vendor spots available.  You will find "antiques, collectibles, crafts, relics, tools, horse tack, yard furniture, clothes, new merchandise, used items, farm supplies and much more". Much, much more.
      It had its beginnings in 1948 and was a dog and gun exchange and hillbilly auction.  Local men would meet to trade items, particularly guns and dogs.  You have to understand the importance of these items in a rural area.  Your gun is your constant companion and your dog is your best friend.  Of course, if you were to find one better, you would trade it.
     I have been to the Dog and Gun only once in my lifetime.  The ladies of our church volunteered to run the concession stand for a day. We arrived early in the morning.  As we approached, it looked like an old camper convention, with ages old rusty trailers lined up in formation.  We walked in to find an old shack where we would be working.  We were very busy the entire day, so I wasn't able to peruse the flea market.  The view from the snack shop window told me I didn't miss much.  I saw tables of flea market items.  There were long stands with tools and hunting items.  I also was a bit puzzled by the tables filled with stacks and stacks of used Tupperware.  Of course, there were those selling "antiques"-- like old rusty tools, chipped pottery and toys from the 70's.  There are also "crafts" which basically means anything made by hand, but typically means tables full of plastic canvas items, yard decor made out of old barn wood, and hand painted signs.  You can even buy chickens and goats, along with garden plants and vegetables. 
     Of course, there are guns........and dogs.  It is rumored that they don't really sell dogs, the owners sell the collars and the dog comes with them.  I guess that is a way to get around the laws.  I have often wondered about the selling of firearms.  Do they do background checks?  Or maybe, they sell the gun cases and you get a "free" gun with it!
   I did notice a certain dress code that is prevalent at this flea market.  The grounds are filled with people that would be considered "back-woods" type.  Think Grizzly Adams.  I actually saw a man with greasy jeans, an even greasier, tobacco stained beard, sporting an old, sweat stained cowboy hat.  His hat band was made from a snake skin and there was a huge turkey feather pluming out of the band. And, yes, there was a rifle under his arm and he had a hound dog on a leash. 
     There is also an unusual set of people that frequent this market.  There is a local group of Amish that settled in the area and they seem to enjoy shopping the tables of items.  Senior citizens from the area also make their appearance to check out the items for sale and to find that one-of-a-kind sign for their lawn. 
     You will see entire families piled onto a four wheeler or golf cart. They will drive to and from the tables viewing the items for sale. Many people camp there for the summer, so there is the smell of campfire smoke, mingled with wet dog, gunpowder and sweat.
     So, if you're needing to trade your Rover for a Ruger, you'd better check out the Rutledge Flea Market, known around these parts as the "Dog-n-Gun" (pronounced as all one word)-- but you'll get that in a small town.