A Part of Something Big Introduces a New Approach to School and Community Fundraising With No Apologies Necessary

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A Part of Something Big (www.partofsomethingbig.com), the inspired fundraising company that provides an alternative option for organizations such as schools, churches, sports groups and other activity groups, today unveiled its 2010 campaign products and services. The company is founded by two dads committed to making fundraising programs that don't sacrifice our values. The announcement is timed to provide schools and organizations with fresh options for their fall fundraising campaigns.  Every product in this lineup supports a noble cause or comes from a producer whose core mission is helping people and/or our environment. A Part of Something Big co-founder Richard Averitt made the announcement.

"A Part of Something Big was started by parents who believe it is possible to create fundraising campaigns you don't have to be embarrassed to ask your friends or family to support," said Averitt.  "Our mission is to help schools and organizations raise all the money they need while using the fundraising experience to engage our children and our communities in great causes here in the U.S. and abroad. This exciting and alternative way to raise funds provides purpose beyond ourselves and honors the contribution made by anyone who buys the products by stretching the value of their dollar to have the greatest possible impact on communities around the world."

Meaningful Products:

A Part of Something Big is unveiling more than 260 products, many under ten dollars, all produced by one of 25 charitable and forward-thinking organizations.   This year's lineup represents a broad range of causes around the globe.   For example, buying split pea soup from Women's Bean Project in Colorado will support the fundraising school or organization and give jobs to women who have been homeless or unemployed. Selecting fair trade Divine Chocolates helps build schools in Ghana, sink wells for clean drinking water and provides mobile medical services to farmers in remote villages.  Purchasing a Terracycle wild bird feeder supports a company that keeps millions of plastic bottles out of landfills with its 100% recycled product lines. Eighty-three cents of every dollar in a campaign goes to support organizations and causes you can feel great about. A complete list of products and organizations is available at www.partofsomethingbig.com

About Value and Values:

"Our unique program is about combining value and values," says Averitt. "Every product is paired with the story of the producer because we believe an intrinsic value of each product is in the people who make it and the great causes they support. Our programs are flexible and we provide the tools for the school to self organize. In these tough economic times, our promise is to ensure that every dollar you might contribute to your local cause also supports the people and organizations you care about."  "In addition, all of our products are triple bottom line, meaning they benefit the school, the producer and our world with each purchase," Averitt added.

Educational Value:

A Part of Something Big completes the experience for users with original lesson plans and rich information featured at www.partofsomethingbig.com. Each is created to national curriculum standards with topics including: Life in the Rainforest; People of Africa; Games Around the World; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! and the Global Knowledge Game.   In addition to links and content about each featured organization, A Part of Something Big's unique educational assets offer tools and resources to help engage and inspire students, family and friends in classrooms, churches, clubhouses and homes.

About A Part of Something Big

A Part of Something Big is an inspired company, founded by parents with the simple idea of offering an alternative to fundraising campaigns that ask our kids to sell expensive, low-quality products we don't need and don't really want to buy. We built a company that offers products that make a positive difference, paired with an education program that helps kids engage with a purpose behind their fundraising efforts. With the support of other concerned parents and forward thinking schools and organizations, A Part of Something Big is committed to making the world a better place, one fundraiser at a time.  Learn more at www.partofsomethingbig.com.

SOURCE A Part of Something Big