Event Idea: Smiley Face Balloons/Stickers

Coke.  Apple. McDonalds. Disney. Facebook. Nike.

What do all of these groups have in common? A logo, or symbol for which they are known. A symbol that is recognizable and that evokes an emotion related to that group. Example: When I see the McDonalds yellow arched "M," I suddenly think of delicious fries that taste way too good to be so bad for me.

 

Pro-Life.

 

What image do you think of?

 

What emotion does that evoke?  

What about for other people? What do they think of when they hear that word? Unfortunately, for too many people, the image or emotion associated with "Pro-Life" is less than loving, less than supportive. Wherever they were given that impression, many people may need a new, more truthful, impression of what "Pro-Life" means - it means joy; it means love.

The Event

While your organization may not have contributed to the negative images/emotions that the word "Pro-Life" evokes, it still may need to combat them. This easy and cheap event can help do just that, and is great as a kick-off for Respect Life Week or the new school year or semester.

The Plan

Pass out smiley face stickers and balloons to anyone and everyone you can, in order to promote a positive Pro-Life message.

 

Supplies You'll Need

• Yellow smiley face stickers *can order in bulk online
• Smiley face balloons *can order in bulk online
• Ribbon or string
• Scissors
• Helium tanks
• Smiley face posters that say "I'm Pro-Life" to hang around your event

At the Event

Choose a location that has heavy traffic, for example outside the dining hall during lunch time. Hang smiley "I'm Pro-Life" posters around your location, and consider having a large poster of group information or list of upcoming events displayed. Greet people walking by and offer them a balloon/sticker. Play fun music and have someone take pictures of the event.

Tips & Tricks

• Consider taping information sheets [or if Respect Life Week, the week's schedule] to the bottom of the balloons' strings
• Have sign-ups for different shifts during the allotted time, and assign roles to volunteers such as balloon blowers, string tiers, and sticker or balloon distributers
• Cut string in advance so you don't have to do it the day of

Love Speaks Louder

 Consider the difference:

“Whom you would change, you must first love. And they must know that you love them.”

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Event Idea: Write from the Heart

My cousin recently became pregnant, and our family showered her and her husband with  excitement and the usual "Congratulations!" We all shared in their joy in creating new life, a life full of possibilities, growth,  and love.

Women in crisis pregnancies deserve the same joy, the same "Congratulations!"  Pro-choice arguments have promoted the idea that certain lives, especially those conceived in crisis situations, are somehow less-than-valuable, less than wanted, less than worthy of celebration.  But the pro-life stance recognizes the indescribable value of each and every life, regardless of the situation into which they are born. This does not mean we don't recognize the hardship and sacrifice many face in becoming pregnant, and it is crucial not to neglect those realities. But it is also crucial not to neglect the reality of joyful celebration - celebration of new life! An entirely new, unique, human being has been created for love. 

The Event

The pro-life movement has a responsibility to remind people that new life is worth celebrating. And what better way than with cards of congratulations?? This event is cheap, easy to organize and set up, and can have a lasting impression on the community.

Pre-Planning

• Contact your local care center for women in crisis pregnancies and tell them about your event. Ask if they would be interested in having these cards made for their women
• Ask if they have any special requests or recommendations for the cards (like what to say, what not to say, etc)
• Confirm when you will drop off the cards at the care center after the event

The Event

• Set up tables for a few hours in a location where people can stop by and make a card easily
• Consider having a poster board or pamphlets about the care center at your table or off to the side
• Lay out markers, colored paper, etc
• Make a few example cards to give people ideas
• Put " To Write" and "Do Not Write" instructions out on the tables, using the suggestions from the care center if possible

 

Other Suggestions

• Make posters with encouraging messages like "Support Women," "Cards for Baby Boys/Girls," "Card Writing for Pregnant Women"
• If in a room, prop the door open and be inviting!
• Consider having music, candy, etc - anything to draw people in
• Hand out freebies from your own organization
• Consider having the pamphlets or other information off to the side so people may be more likely to look at or take them
• Collect donations for the care center you are supporting
• Hold this event during a week of Respect Life Week events, and hand out your schedule of other events going on that week
• Have sign-ups available for people who would like to join your group
• The week before, write a letter for your parish bulletin or school paper explaining the event and encouraging people to join you

Happy Card-Writing!

:)

Event Idea: LifeFest

Boats have them, genres of music have them, Polish people  have them.

Have what? "Fests" aka Festivals. They bring people together through a common interest, passion, or heritage, to celebrate the uniqueness of those things. So why not, a 'fest' for life? Otherwise known as: LIFEFEST.

Don't go thinking Ozzfest plus Babies. LifeFest could be done in a variety of ways to celebrate life, promote a club or organization, and bring people together. But there are basic elements to consider:

• Advertising: Have posters that convey the feeling of the event - joyful and lighthearted. Make sure you advertise heavily and well in advance.
• Location: Preferably outside in an area many people will pass by
• Music: To call attention to your event, set the mood and draw people in
• Food/drinks: Free or for sale, every 'fest' needs food/drinks
• Socializing: Set up tables and chairs or have some other way for people to linger and socialize
• Activities: This is where you can get creative. Games, Inflatables, Competitions, etc - anything to draw attention, have fun, and celebrate life!
• Information: Set up tables with information, hang posters, pass out pamphlets, fliers, or other freebies celebrating life and with information on how to join you
• Merchandise: Consider setting up a table with T-shirts or other merchandise to sell. And if possible, have group members at the event wearing said merchandise

This is a great event to have annually or at the beginning of the school year because it is low-pressure to attend, makes a really positive first impression, prompts group socializing, and informs a lot of people of the pro-life message and how they can be involved through your group.

From Our Experience:

Our student club partnered with the Knights of Columbus to provide food, and we found a student DJ to play music for the event. We had someone take pictures of the event to download to our website and Facebook page. At planning meetings, we also had sign-ups for specific duties during the event so that everything ran smoothly. For activities we considered Frisbee, bean bag toss, crafts, stroller races, and dunk tanks, and ended up renting inflatable hamster balls that were wildly successful. Large signs advertising free food also helped draw students in.  For information we created posters about our club, its different activities, and the organizations we work with. We printed information about joining our club on half sheets of brightly colored paper and passed them out to people walking by, making sure to greet them joyfully and invite them to participate in LifeFest :)