jcolumbia76 - the best advice I can give you is to go to other tricky trays - lots of 'em!

My sisters and I called it "market research" : )

It was incredibly helpful to A) see how it's done, see what NOT to do, and C) get ideas for baskets and local sponsors who might be willing to donate.

Also, scroll thru this blog - it's a GOLDMINE of information. Our group got a ton of donations using the info from this blog.
And finally - hit the pavement. Get your volunteers to contact local businesses and beg for donations!

Good luck, and you can email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you need more info.

Pearl Paradise is not giving out any donations until June but if you go to their website I believe, you can request a donation form be mailed to you and then send it in. Stampin' Up told me they require no more then 90 days for donations so I have to send my request back to them in Sept since my event is December. I just googled stampin' up but I believe if you also scroll thru these pages the information is there.

If you are not far from NY I would suggest contcting the local museums, zoos comedy clubs as well as all local businesses in your area. There are so many great ideas on here, if you can scroll thru the pages and you will see the ones that do donate

NY Skyride was pretty quick - probably about four weeks.

Thanks to the previous poster - I got some great ideas from you! My event isn't until 10/14 so I've just started. Just wondering, how long did NY Skyride take to respond? I am in Westchester, NY and here is what I've gotten so far:

Disney Passes
NY Giants Signed Poster
NY Jets SIgned Picture
Gift Certificate to The Clipper Tall Ship in NYC
Gift Certs to: Peapod, BFs, PinkCayyx.com

We're off to a good start but I need lots more. My committee is hitting the local places soon so hopefully that will bring in some prizes!

This board is amazing!
Thanks,
Jenn

Thanks to ALL the members for contributing information to this board. Because of your generosity and sharing, our group has received donations from the following companies. I've listed the company, what we received, and the value in parentheses (I know I like to hear how people do, who said yes, what you got, etc., so I figured I'd post the info here).

Canvas on Demand - Gift Certificate ($100) - this won't be here until Monday
Chef Central - Gift Certificate ($15) - In north NJ, had to pick up
Dangerfields, NY, NY - admissions passes ($100)
Disney - 4 Parkhopper passes ($544)
Green Mountain Coffee - Keurig + pods ($160)
Mrs. Fields Gifts - GC for free cookie
National Baseball Hall of Fame - 4 passes + yearbook ($90)
NY Comedy Club - admission passes ($80)
NY Philharmonic - admission passes ($162)
NY Skyride - 2 tickets ($82)
Oriental Trading - Gift Certificate ($25)
Panera Bread - 1 loaf per month for 12 months ($85)
Pearl Paradise - Necklace and earrings ($550!!) - just received May 4

We're in central NJ, and we also received donations from the following local sports teams:
NJ Devils - autographed puck
NY Jets - autographed poster
NY Giants - autographed poster
NY Nets - 4 tickets ($80)

I seriously can't thank all of you enough!!!

Our event is next Saturday, May 14th and hopefully we'll raise TONS of money!