Katie’s Fundraising Clear Out!

Hi, I am Katie from Colorado! I decided to run for Team VICTA because I am a big believer in every single person getting opportunities to do whatever fulfils them. I want all kids to believe they can reach the stars and achieve ANYTHING and EVERYTHING they desire. I love that VICTA helps these kids and their families, and assists them so they have the opportunities they might not have otherwise.

Can you describe the fundraising initiative?

I am not going to lie. Fundraising in the United States has been TOUGH this year. Since a lot of my friends and family are tightening up their budgets, I have explored other ways of fundraising. I have been going through things that I have around the house and have been listing them for sale on places like Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, brand specific Facebook groups, etc. This has been a huge win for me because I am raising funds for VICTA and clearing unwanted items out of my house! Some items that I have sold include, my daughters old trombone, my old splitboard (a snowboard used for hiking up the mountain and then put back together to snowboard down), a race credit I wasn’t going to use, books and clothing my children have outgrown.

My favourite so far was selling a set of books to a young girl who paid me in all $1 bills from her allowance. Watching her excitedly buy these books with her own money brought me so much joy! Joy for her purchase, and joy for more money to go to VICTA! I also went through my kids’ old ski gear and sold some of it at their ski team’s ski swap.

I tell the buyers that I am selling to raise money for VICTA. People get really excited to buy the item knowing that their money is going to blind and partially sighted children and young adults.

How much did you raise?

I have raised around £900 by selling my old things!

What surprised you?

It has surprised me, how much money it has actually brought in. It takes a little work by taking photographs of all the items and communicating with interested buyers.

Would you organise this again?

Yes, I will continue to sell things to help reach my fundraising goal and beyond. It is an easy way to earn money without having to continue asking my friends and family to donate over and over again as I do plenty of that as well.

What’s your advice for other team members?

My advice for other team members is to just get started! If selling things individually seems like too much, find a consignment store to sell to. It is amazing what people want to buy!

Would you recommend it to others?

I definitely recommend it to others. It is a great way to raise money for VICTA!