Starters.

Ready to start planning your dinner? Let MedWish International know! Register your party online here or call the office at 216/692.1685. Then use the tips below to plan a successful and fun event!

Host a great party.

Knowing what you would like to do is the first step. The next, and most important, is preparation.

Invite your friends and family. Be sure to inform them that the proceeds for the dinner help MedWish International provide developing countries around the globe with lifesaving medical supplies and equipment. Here are some tips to help you prepare in advance.

Planning Tips:

Choose a date that you know will get maximum attendance.

Send invitations at least three to six weeks in advance.

Ask for RSVPs.

Reduce paper - use Evite or an invite template on the Web.

Think outside of the "bowl."

One of the hallmarks of Summer of 1,000 Dinners is the freedom to be creative. If you have always wanted to host a wine tasting, go for it! If you want to try out your new grill and host a roast, great! The idea is for you to choose an event you and your guests will enjoy. Here are some creative tips for you to consider.

Creative Tips:

Dinner? Supper? Brunch? You can host more than just a dinner.

Think about a wine tasting, barbeque, dessert tasting, tea party, etc.

The event can be at your home, church, restaurant, or any other indoor or outdoor venue.

Dinner themes are available on our Dinner Themes page.

Be eco-conscious! Tips for hosting a “green” party are also available on our Green Parties page.

Promote the Event.

Fun times are best shared with those closest to you. Share your event with your friends and family through e-mail, Facebook, Twitter or simply by phoning or sending traditional invitations. Here are some ideas on how to generate a good turn-out.

Promotional Tips:

A week or two before your event, contact those that have not responded to your invite and encourage them to attend.

A few days before the event, call or e-mail your guests and remind them of the event day and time and provide directions.

Provide Information.

Part of the promotion process is sharing information on your event. You should focus on the basics while highlighting the concept of the event.

Since your event benefits MedWish International, include some information on its mission and goals. Plan to have informational materials to share when your guests arrive. Until then, keep the information simple. While you dine, you can share your MedWish International story. Here are some suggestions on what to include.

Informational Tips:

On your invites, put the date, time and location.

Include the "Summer of a 1,000 Dinners" overview.

Show the MedWish International video and/or provide informational packets to your guests.

Consider inviting one of MedWish International’s recipients to speak about his/her experience receiving supplies and taking those supplies overseas.

Raising Money.

Thanks to the generous support of people like yourself, MedWish International is able to ship hundreds of thousands of pounds of medical supplies around the globe to needy clinics and hospitals. We may never know how many lives we have saved, but with each shipment, we share the gift of life.

The money raised through your event is vital to MedWish International's success in 2009. Your support enables MedWish International to fund additional shipments and save more lives. Here are some ideas to help maximize your contribution to the cause.

Fundraising Tips:

Set a fundraising goal ($100, $300, $500, etc.) and do not be afraid to ask for money! People will appreciate your appeal for a good cause.

Offer guests the chance to donate whether or not they are able to attend your party.

Plan other fundraising activities at your event. Host a raffle for an item, offer a tournament of some kind (bean bags, Monopoly, poker), or have a small silent auction.

Leave a contribution box out so guests can drop in additional donations before they leave your event.