• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Gala invites people to 'stay at home'

Milwaukee -- You’ve heard of the recession-inspired "stay-cation," where families skip the seashore or the trip to Disney World and stay put.

Now comes the "stay-at-home gala."

It’s the latest twist in fund raising, saving the donor all the muss, fuss and expense of trekking off to a silent auction or charity dinner.

"The Milwaukee Christian Center is pleased to invite you to NOT JOIN US on August, 12, 2009," begins the purple- and cream-colored, scrolled invitation that has been sent to a long list of possible contributors to the south-side agency.

The Christian Center runs programs for youth, families and senior citizens.

Instead, there’s a card and envelope, and the recipient is invited to write a check and send a 100% tax-deductible donation "to express my gratitude for not having to attend another fund-raiser . . . to help move people beyond the challenges of poverty."

"We’re getting a lot of good and positive responses," said JanMarie Lambert, executive director of the center, who along with her staff came up with the idea after surfing the Internet for new ideas to raise money.

"In these economic times, we just felt like this would be a good way to appeal to a lot of people," she said.

Maybe this year a person can’t spend $75 or $100 for a ticket to an event, but maybe they could give $10 or $20 to support the emergency food pantry or help buy reading textbooks for children, she said. "It’s a fun way to give without having to get nickeled and dimed with silent auctions and all that."

These days, nonprofits are struggling, and the nonevent means that more money can be channeled to the organization instead of paying for a venue, food and other expenses, she said.

The benefits of participating in the stay-at-home gala are spelled out in the invitation. Among them: no need to find a baby sitter, rent a tux, buy a new dress, battle traffic, find parking or eat another banquet dinner.

Plus, there’s no small talk or long speeches.

"You and your family get to enjoy a gorgeous summer evening at home doing the things you love," the invitation says.

Inside the invitation is a bookmark from the center as a small thank you gift.

It reads: "I made a difference. MCC’s 1st Annual Stay-at Home Gala . . . No ticket necessary."