The Southwest Community Center hasn't just had a tough 2009; they’ve been dealing with funding cuts for a while.
"We've been feeling this crunch now for about three years," said Executive Director Jesse Dowdell Since he expects further cuts in state funding, Dowdell has turned to a proven fundraiser, Disco.
On Thursday, Dowdell and promoters were at the fairgrounds prepping for next weekend's "Disco Inferno”. It's based on a long running event billed as "The World's Largest Disco" that raised $300,000 for charities in Buffalo last year. Disco isn't the only thing the Jesse Dowdell is trying to bring back from the 70's.
"Unity. Togetherness,” said Dowdell. “We need to look back. We need to recollect our past if we're going to make a change in our immediate future." "It isn't a standard fundraiser. If we're going to raise funds we have to get a little creative."
To turn their fundraising beat around, Hospice of Central New York also got creative. They teamed up with Brian Wood's art gallery for a fundraiser, with an emphasis on fun. Hospice will also get at least twenty percent of all sales on Thursday night.
"I realized that this was a colossal win-win,” said Brian Wood. “People can't afford to keep giving but they're still buying, so it's a chance to give without donating."
Fresh ideas sound great to Hospice, especially in the current economic climate. "We're trying to get out our mission and what we do. People can decide for themselves if that's worthwhile to support here in Central New York," said Bill Pfohl from Hospice. It’s not exactly a formal dinner fundraiser, but they say it works.
