When we set the ticket price for the Grassroots Election Night Returns Party at Real Burger, we based it on:
- 345 max sales (based on fire code restriction) for hot buffet and soft drinks
- Paying for 20 national staffers who we invited as our guests
- Fee for delivery, set up, take down & rental of the large screen television
- Decorations
We inadvertently sold over 425 tickets because multiple volunteers were selling tickets and the last minute flurry of purchases caught us off-guard. Fortunately, there was no fire-code problem because people rotated in and out of the party all night. As a result, however, we ended up with $1,623 surplus! (I didn’t tell the New Mexico legislature; they’d of wanted a loan!)
After consulting with a number of volunteers about highly regarded non-profits, I hand-delivered four checks prior to Christmas, telling each organization that the donation was coming from Santa Fe Grassroots for Obama:
- $623 to Youth Shelters and Family Services
- $600 to The Food Depot
- $150 to The Stocking Fund
- $250 to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Fe.
We have received very gracious letters of appreciation from each organization. I made the decision to donate the money rather than go through a lengthy process of refunding less than $4.00/person. The impact seemed much greater in the four bundles than if I had attempted to divide it amongst those who bought tickets.
