It has been awhile since I have written, yes, but I came across an interesting article highlighting that the Leukemia and Lymphona Society is offering gift cards for gas for fundraising for their Light the Night walkers event. For every $250 raised, they will receive $15 in gas cards.

In the article, on Acronym on the ASAE Center website, by Kristin Clark, it proposes the idea of people just volunteering for the “gifts and prizes” or for the real meaning behind the event. Quotes from an officer of the nonprofit organization, Nancy Klein, LLS chief marketing and revenue officer,

“The goal of finding cures and helping patients is a great motivator, in and of itself. But with gas prices so high this summer, LLS saw this ‘Save at the Pump’ promotion as a great added incentive to do something good and get something good!”

Personally, I feel that this could be a good way of getting people in to volunteer, especially if organizations are short staffed for volunteers, but also agree that you want to make sure that volunteers have a good purpose for signing up to be a volunteer of a non profit. It might be a cause that is close to your heart, or one that involves someone in your family. Nonetheless, you should be volunteering to help, and not get a free gift. Once an organization can attract members with these free gifts, they should use this as the time to educate the cause, and build a community.

How do you feel about nonprofits giving away free items, such as a gas and other items? Have you been involved in a volunteer situation like this? I am interested in hearing what other people think.

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