Creative ways to raise money for your cause #eBayParent

I was recently at a board meeting for the youth softball league in the city where I will be coaching this spring.  In conversation, the president mentioned that his daughter was elected to be a Student Ambassador with People to People.  It is quite an honor to be representing our area while spending 20 days in Europe this summer.

Unfortunately, along with the honor comes a hefty tuition of $7,500.

I received an email from this 12 year old girl and was blown away by how articulate she is.  At 12 I was... um... well.  Not so much.  I was thinking about softball (and boys) while rushing off the school bus to watch Days of Our Lives after school... and maybe play my Atari 5200.  Oh, yeah.  Jungle Hunt, baby.

Not only is she articulate, but she is driven.  She is planning to raise the tuition on her own by babysitting, reaching out to her local community for sponsorship and...

wait for it...

selling items on eBay.  She has already sold 4 items (with her parent's assistance and blessing) and will be adding more in the near future.

This is the beauty of eBay, people!

A 12 year old girl will be raising $7,500 to fund an experience of a lifetime and eBay is one of her tools.

Cool, huh?

I loved hearing this story and hope to help her get closer to her goal.  I will share her store link on Facebook once she has new items posted.  (So, if you aren't following me over there yet, come on over.)

Be inspired.

That trip you want to take?  That extra money you need?

It's within reach.

Sell things you don't need/use around the home on eBay.  It's such a simple thing to do.

What a great lesson from a 12 year old girl, huh?

Oh, and something new (to me) that I am playing with on eBay?  eBay Giving Works,  where sellers can benefit a highlighted nonprofit.  You can set your listings to donate 10% to 100% of your sale to a worthy nonprofit.  I know a lot of nonprofits that hold yard sales over the summer with donated items.  I'm not a fan of yard sales.  I hate to give my stuff away for pennies on the value.

Wouldn't it be great to do an eBay sale instead?

Again.  Inspired.

Disclosure:

This post was created in connection with my appointment as a member of eBay's Parent Panel.  Thoughts are my own.

Update on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 05:03PM by Mommycosm

Since writing this post earlier today, a couple of new items have been added to her eBay store.  Would love for you to check it out to see if there is anything of interest. 

If you are interesting in making a donation, contact me at kim at mommycosm dot com and I will put you in touch.