TIPS for a successful MOM'S DAY BABY SHOWER

Because the Baby Shower was so successful the last several years, the Hy-Vee directors are looking forward to working with you. It is important for you to coordinate your Baby Shower with your service agency and Hy-Vee store director. Even though the Hy-Vee store director has agreed to allow you to solicit donations, it is up to you to sell yourself, your club and the benefits of helping babies through the service agency.

We have some suggestions for you to consider as you plan your part of this city-wide event.

1. Contact the store director before March 25^th so the store can order extra supplies.
2. Invite the service agency contact to give a program at your weekly club meeting so you can become better acquainted with their specific services for young children.
3. Set up collection points, with a flyer or poster, at local businesses and churches (especially those of your members) before Mother's Day.
4. Ask your travel agents to collect travel-size soap and shampoo from their customers, especially for the temporary homes for abused children.
5. Have a Baby Shower at your club meeting just prior to Mother's Day. Put your club donations in the collection box at your Hy-Vee store on the day of the Baby Shower as a "seed" to show patrons that you already have received donations.
6. Invite the service agency contact to visit your Hy-Vee Store Director with you to discuss plans for the Baby Shower.
   • Ask the store director if you can discuss possible in-store promotions with the non-foods manager and the advertising manager.
   • Determine where you will be located at the store and how many entrance doors you will be allowed to cover. Is space available for a display/donation table? Will you or your service agency supply your tables and chairs?
   • Can you display any flyers or posters at the store, where, and when? Identify both Kiwanis and the service agency.
   • Ask if you can give handouts to store patrons as they enter the store that day at each entrance door. The service agency should provide a promotional flyer and a handout listing the baby items needed that are available at your Hy-Vee store. You will need approximately 1000 handouts. A sample flyer, handout and poster are included in this web site (please modify according to YOUR agency needs, including the correct aisle numbers).
   • Both the Kiwanis club and the service agency may want to pass out promotional literature to interested shoppers describing your programs.
   • If the store director will not permit handouts or personal contact with the store patrons, it is CRUCIAL that your display attract patrons to approach you.  A large poster attached to your table stating “HELP NEEDY BABIES” or similar words plus balloons and other attractions are vital.  See examples on the photo page.
   • Determine the number of volunteers needed to bring visibility to this event. At least one service agency representative and two Kiwanians per information/donation table plus two Kiwanians at each entrance door will be needed. Consider how to display and manage the donated items next to your donation table. You may want to have a large amount of items available to visibly show your success, tempered by the available space. If you need boxes, the Hy-Vee director may be able to provide them to you if you remind him the day prior. They normally cut up the boxes as soon as the store shelves are stocked.
   • Is the advertised time of 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM right for you, or do you want to extend the time?  If you are sharing the store with another club or more than one service agency, consider doubling the time to maximize the donations for the children.
7. Issue a local press release to your local newspaper or media, describing your club and your service agency.

ACTIVITIES ON THE DAY OF THE BABY SHOWER

1. Set up a table and chairs for your display; a Kiwanis banner or sign, Mother's Day balloons to attract attention and a large poster attached to your table stating “HELP NEEDY BABIES” or similar words.  See the examples on the photo page.
2. Put posters on the entry doors to let the customers know what to expect.
3. Collect shopping carts and pass them to customers with handouts as you describe the event.
4. Use a playpen to receive the donated items
5. Clip dollar bills to the playpen (or a grocery cart) to promote cash donations. If any checks are received, have the check written to the service agency. Be sure the service agency representative knows the exact wording for the check payee
6. Place one service agency representative in the baby center to answer questions about their baby care program and help with selection of needed items. Obtain permission from the store director to put special tags on the needed items.
7. One club learned that people seem to be more generous if the club takes photos of the donations being made.  Please provide to the Children's Council coordinator a copy of your best photos with your final report.  (A photo of a child making a donation would be great!)
8. Ask your club members to wear Kiwanis clothing, or otherwise identify themselves as Kiwanians.
9. Sales people have suggested that your success may be enhanced by handing out flyers, by not pressuring the customers, and by not spending all of your time sitting behind a table.
10. If possible, leave the posters and collection containers in place until Mother's day evening.

POST-BABY SHOWER ACTIVITIES

1. Make arrangements to deliver the donated items to the service agency and take photos.
2. Issue a press release to your local newspaper, with a photo of the event or of your club making the presentation to the benefiting Young Children service agency.
3. Complete and return the inventory of donated items, along with copies of your best photos.