Many of you probably have a favorite charity in the metro Detroit area.
If so, you'll want to read this story and let them know how they can get involved in the Art Van Charity Challenge. The Charity Challenge is a great way to increase name recognition, social media presence, and your favorite charity could win prizes of up to $100,000.
The ripple effect of the competition is easy to see. Each year, St. Vincent de Paul sends about 500 lucky children to Camp Ozanam to learn new skills, have fun, and make lifelong friends.
"The camp not only provides recreational experiences for children, swimming, hiking, Smores by the campfire, but it also gives them character building skills," said Michelle St. Pierre, Director of Marketing at St. Vincent de Paul in Detroit.
She knows it take a lot of fundraising to give those children an unforgettable experience. That's where a contest like the Art Van Charity Challenge can help. St. Vincent de Paul has been a competitor in the past.
"St. Vincent de Paul went toe to toe with various charities to try to win the top prize for the Art Van Charity Challenge," said St. Pierre.
Playing to win
In 2016, charities will be competing for prizes that range from $1,500 to the top prize of $100,000. The challenge is open to any 501c3 charity that focuses on children, health and human services. It's open to communities in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, places where Art Van Furniture does business.
The charities must register by March 15th. Applicants who are accepted into the challenge will be part of a five week competition to see which charity can raise the most money. The top ten fundraisers boost their bottom line with prizes from Art Van.
"The competition really is all about raising the most amount of money and the most awareness for your non-profit," said Jaime Rae Turnbull, Community Relations at Art Van Furniture.
The challenge creates extra incentive for a charity to expand their fundraising and reach out to new donors and new supporters. While St. Vincent de Paul did not make the top ten in 2015, the charity still raised over $30,000 to send children to Camp Ozanam.
"My advice to any non-profit is to take part in the Art Van Charity Challenge," said St. Pierre.
For the furniture chain, the contest is about giving back to the communities they serve. "Art Van Furniture and the Van Eslander family are committed to giving back... it's in the company's culture and DNA," added Turnbull.
Paying it forward comes full circle
St. Pierre says she's seen Art Van's giving spirit come full circle. She recently visited an Art Van store and ran into a former camper, all grown up now. He's a sales associate at the store, and he told her he's never forgotten that experience.
He told her, "I have lifelong friendships, lifelong memories, and the skills I learned are helping me right here now on the Art Van sales floor," remembered St. Pierre.
To get more information on the Art Van Charity Challenge, follow this link.