A 4 minute read.
Have you ever won a door prize? Was your business card the lucky one pulled from the hat? Most businesses, large and small, are generous when asked to donate to a fundraising event or celebration if they have a connection to the cause. How often do they receive a thank you note from the recipient?
Late last year, I attended several events that included drawings. I was the lucky recipient of some nice gifts ranging from gift cards to Everything Kitchens and Amazon to basketball game tickets to my alma mater.
Winning something is exciting!
When I started shopping with my Everything Kitchens giftcard, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Browsing through all the coolgadgets, fun décor and useful tools was a treat.
While I tried to decide between one super nice sauce pot or a deluxe paring knife plus several other items, it occurred to me that I should write a thank you note to the owners letting them know what a great time I was having with their donation.
Ah-ha moment!
I wondered if they have ever received a handwritten notethanking them for their generosity and letting them know how much joy theirdonation brought to the winner.
I am sad to say I have never written a note like this, nor have I received one. (As a small business owner, I too donate door prizes, auction items and gifts for drawings to several organizations throughout the year.)
Of course, as a former professional fundraiser, I have sent hundreds of thank you letters to businesses for their generous donations. And, yes, I have received those as well.
But a thank you note from the person who won the gift—that hasn’t happened, yet.
Personal thank you notes rock!
Why not join me in being one of the first to send such a note? As a business owner, I would love to know the winner’s reaction. Whether they gave it to a friend or used it themselves, it would be nice to know the end story. Since I am sure there are other business owners like me, I thought I would share two recent thank you notes. The first note is to Everything Kitchens. I happen to know the owners, so it has a more personal touch.
The second is to a large firm which hosted a networking event, complete with drawing prizes.
Try something like this . . .
Hi C and E,
You won’t believe how excited I was to win the gift card you donated to the 1 Million Cups Christmas Party. Every year you have given a fantastic gift for the drawing and this year—I won!!!
It was so much fun to shop in your store. Of all the thingsI chose, my favorite is the paring knife!
Thank you for your continued generosity to 1MC. I think ofyou every time I use my new kitchen toys and tools.
Blessings,
LaDonna
Hi Becca,
Last month, your firm hosted the Drury networking event, and I was the lucky winner of a gift card!
What an excellent choice for a game prize! I choose to putit toward a book I’ve had my eye on for a while.
I appreciate your generous hospitality and creativity. Theway you used a game to share information about your firm was inventive andcompelling.
Thank you. I look forward to next year’s event at youroffices.
Gratefully,
LaDonna Greiner
