A 30^th Anniversary Dinner and Silent Auction marked the 30th birthday of Little Mary’s Hospitality House, held at the Norman Township Community Center in Wellston, Michigan on July 28, 2012. According to Maureen Fischer, co-founder and Secretary of the charity, “We had a great fundraiser.  Full house.  Off-the-charts prime rib dinner. Great silent auction.”

While for-profit businesses often celebrate anniversaries to bring in extra business, it is important to realize that not-for-profit businesses also can take advantage of an anniversary by promoting it at an event such as the dinner by Little Mary’s.  This year they used a variety of fund raising efforts for their celebration:

• Announcement in their newsletter, with a Save the Date blurb
• Mailing to donor list announcing the event; included tickets to purchase and to sell to others
• Sold tickets for the event at the door
• Held a Grand Raffle for numerous large prizes, with advance and on-site ticket sales
• Held a Silent Auction with numerous items, both large and small, for attendees to bid on, hopefully taking home a few
• Advertised the event through media blitzes in area newspapers and via radio. This provided  expanded visibility and name recognition as well as more attendees to the event

Christian-based Little Mary’s Hospitality House provides a free, year round vacation retreat for families who have children with catastrophic, debilitating, life threatening or terminal illnesses.  The 501c3 non-profit organization was established in memory of three year old Mary Catherine Fischer who died of a terminal brain tumor in 1982. Although it is shady along the near-private lake and 6-apartment vacation retreat, the sun never ceases to shine there; new families are welcomed weekly with love, compassion, and determination to give them a relaxing respite from their daily life.

A business that has survived 100 years is pretty special. The owners of  Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have a family history of determination and perseverance.  They also know how to celebrate as evidenced by the hoopla surrounding their 100th anniversary in business, reached in 2011:

• Unveil a Centennial sign in a ribbon cutting ceremony, with sponsorship from the Chamber of Commerce
• Offer discounts on gift barn purchases
• Provide free souvenir wine glass and wine tasting on select days
• Offer a glass of cider and a donut for 100 pennies
• Celebrate each fruit “season” in anniversary year with varied offerings and events: Peach Festival, Apple Time, etc.
• Host special weekend events including:
  • “Blessing of the Blossoms” – blessing from a pastor, bluegrass band, speakers from US Apple and the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, free wagon rides, and door prizes
  • “Giving Thanks” – serve limited edition Centennial Hard Cider, discounts on wine tasting, donate a percent of proceeds to a local charity
  • “Picnic Under the Maples” – hayrides, kids games and prizes, free wine tasting, special cherry or pumpkin spice flavored donuts, and live music by an opry house band
• Create video about history of farm
• News media blitz around each celebratory event

Join us in congratulating Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery on their 100th anniversary!

If you are looking of ways to celebrate your own business anniversary, check out their celebration list to borrow or spark ideas. In celebrating your anniversary, and especially getting the media’s attention, you’ll gain free publicity, branding awareness, and attract more interest from your target market.