Cleft Palate Foundation Donor Spotlight
Welcome to the Cleft Palate Foundation’s Donor Spotlight!
The Cleft Palate Foundation is thrilled to have so many committed donors. Our donor spotlight highlights a range of different donor stories. Check out these stories and see what’s motivated others to become financial supporters of CPF.
We invite you to join with others in supporting CPF’s work. Click here to donate today!
Spotlight on The Ingham Family
Cohen Ingham was born March 2009 and has a cleft palate. Cohen’s mom, Misti, contacted CPF with the idea of setting up a lemonade stand on the Fourth of July to raise awareness about cleft lip and palate.
Cohen’s parents and his older siblings, Grace and Isabella, got involved and passed out information about cleft lip and palate and the CPF’s work. By the end of the day, they had raised $240 for CPF!
Not only was this a great fundraising idea, the neighborhood event also helped the family share a little more about Cohen’s condition. What a great way to break the ice!
Thanks, Ingham Family, for supporting the Cleft Palate Foundation with your creative idea!
Spotlight on Moustache March 2009
CPF Executive Director, Nancy Smythe, and
David Pearson celebrating the fundraiser.
David Pearson, craftsman, student, and creative fundraiser tells us a little about himself, his life and the Moustache March:
Your day job(s)/study(ies) is/are…
I am a Junior Psychology student at UNC and I work part-time at Hill Country Woodworks.
You are a native of…
I was born in Northern Minnesota, and lived in California for a few years after High School. I came to North Carolina in 2003.
Fundraiser was called…
“Mustache March,” this is a pretty common ‘event’ involving facial hair, but I hadn’t heard of it being used as a fundraiser before.
Previous fundraising brainchilds include…
One of my wife’s good friends died a year ago from skin cancer, and her husband tried to start a research foundation. I attempted a silent auction for that foundation, but was unsuccessful. I have also worked as a street canvasser for Green Peace International, but I can’t really take credit for that idea.
Fundraisers with their moustaches.
How many people participated…
About 5 people grew mustaches for the whole month, we had around 20 people we knew come out to the fundraiser, and all of the 40 surplus mustaches were gone by the end of the night. I guess 50-60 people is a safe and accurate estimation of how many people attended.
Idea came from…
I really don’t know. It was one of those moments were an idea moves into your brain, and you didn’t even know there was a ‘For Rent’sign.
Participants recruited by…
Brooks Pearson (my wife) Christopher Beauvais (a good friend) and I all explained the fundraiser during the month, but at the actual event (Saturday, March 28) we divvied up the mustaches to be given out at the party. Some people were very good at convincing strangers to put on a fake mustache.
Best Moustache 2009!
Might do differently…
Start a little earlier notifying people. Explain more overtly the fundraiser, hopefully get some more people. In all though, it did go really well for such an impromptu fundraiser.
Hardest part was…
For my wife, who had to look at the mustache much more than I.
Easiest part was…
Really, it was all pretty easy. CPF (that’s you) was extremely helpful, the donor cards made the actual fundraising so simple. And the people who participated did so gladly.
We are grateful to David and friends for sharing their creativity and inspiration with the Cleft Palate Foundation.
Does your family have CPF fundraising story to tell? We can’t wait to hear it! Email us!
Other Featured Donors
The Ingham Family
Check out Cohen’s Corner Lemonade Stand!
Shawn Lockery
Meet the fiddle player of an old time string band who has chosen to give to CPF.
Last Updated: Jul 23, 2009