Charity Fundraiser Concept: "The Charity Bus"

Hello All,


Today's concept is a novel methodology in providing a fundraising mechanism. As a community outreach in providing a lasting goodwill project at large. For instance a division of "Panera" restaurants as a non-profit entity called "Panera Cares". Provides a suggested menu price at their select restaurant locales where customers still pay for a meal. However they pay a voluntary donated amount based on the Honor System of the value they ascribe to such a meal in total. Some low income customers pay less or nothing at all. Which is balanced out by those that pay the standard menu prices, including those that pay generously more for menu items.

Here is an article from "USA Today" dated June 27th, 2010 explaining the concept of "Panera Cares".

Panera to open more pay-what-you-wish restaurants

My concept of the "Charity Bus" is a variant based on the theme and setting that "Panera Cares" adheres to in principal. For example philanthropists, Community Foundation(s) within a city, or a collection of private businesses set up an ongoing extended private charter of transit city buses. That within a metropolitan area will run at least one or more routes through busy thoroughfares within any given city. Be it the main strip in the city of Las Vegas, Neveda or Orlando, Florida. If not major intersections throughout an artery street or boulevard of a municipality.

Basically an arrangement is made by leasing as an extended private charter of a city transit public transportation bus authority. Where like any other vehicle lease or charter the company in this case the Transit Authority owns and maintains the bus providing a driver and what not. The bus toll machine is recalibrated to accept larger paper currency denominations and coinage as donations from the ridership. The bus will have one of those advertisement second skins envelope the vehicle denoting that it is a "Charity Bus" for lack of a better name. Where the supported charities of this organization leasing the private chartered bus will showcase adverts on the 2nd skin of the bus. Including the interior of the bus will have posters or other signage directing riders in how to learn more about the supported charities. There can of course be a media publicity campaign alerting the general public of the existence and purpose of these buses.

The general public that ride city transit buses may at first think of this as a gimmick. Some riders may also confuse that "Charity Bus" as a regular transit authority bus and pay their standard fare as usual. Of course with all donations made via the toll machine on the bus next to the bus driver. All donations are final without refunds.

The organization that is promoting or offering this novel charity fund raising concept. Again be they one or more philanthropists or a collection of private businesses (ie Auto Dealerships, Restaurants, Supermarkets, etc...). Including Community Foundation(s) within a region of the State or Province they may be located within. Where there aim is to provide a local community outreach of promoting goodwill by offering Free Public Transportation. Where Voluntary Donations will be requested when explaining the concept via the public media publicity campaigns. Including free literature by means of pamphlets within the bus itself. There is of course a second fundraising model where a mandatory donation is requested. However the transit rider decides what amount to offer as a donation itself. I prefer the free public transportation depending on the Honor System with voluntary donations that "Panera Cares" also utilizes for its select restaurants.

The term of the bus lease as a private charter with the Transit Bus Authority can be seasonal. Such as the "Holiday Season" or the summer months, if not a year round affair. Limiting it to at least one city transit bus if not more providing if this fundraising charity model proves successful or not. All of this can be launched with a grand ceremony where the charity or charities in question are highlighted with an event open to the general public. By also inviting the local news press outlets to document the event for maximum exposure in publicity. The selection of the charities can either be picked by the organization promoting this concept. Or by inviting the general public at large to select from a list or to nominate their own local / regional charities. Allowing for an extended time period in the absorption rates of the general public at large to be educated and support this non-profit enterprise from the start.

This charitable giving concept as a fundraising mechanism is to promote as I stated at the onset. The goodwill amongst the local populace of a select metropolitan area. Be it in fostering civic participation throughout the process of becoming educated of local / regional charities. This is a Win / Win model by helping city transit bus ridership to a degree during these tough post-recessionary times. Including positively impacting select charities with a sustainable revenue stream of donated monies depending on the time frame the "Charity Bus" is in service.

Ivan "Atrayo" Pozo-Illas, has devoted 21 years of his life to the pursuit of clairvoyant automatic writing channeling the Angelic host. Ivan, is the author to the spiritual wisdom series of "Jewels of Truth" consisting of 3 volumes published to date. He also channels conceptual designs that are multi-faceted for the next society to come that are solutions based as a form of dharmic service. Numerous examples of his work is available at "Atrayo's Oracle" blog site of 11 years plus online. Your welcome to visit his website "Jewelsoftruth.us" for further information or to contact Atrayo directly.