OMG, that is frightening isn't it? What a horrible thing to have happen, a complete nightmare.

I don't know if this is any help but maybe you can contact the local tv stations to see if they would be willing to mention it in their news program or even do a story about it. Every station has journalists assigned to do local stories that help residents. Just have a couple of story angles ready to help entice the idea. This could be a great story for them. It they agree to help, I would have a fund set up that people can donate to. You can also ask the radio stations if they could mention it as well. If you have any local comedians in the area trying to get some face time, you may want to ask if they are interested in donating time to participate in the show or any other venue that is popular in your area.

You know what they say, go big or don't go at all! I know it's not an easy task, but the whole thought says a lot about who you are as a person Shee, I think it's amazing that you're doing this for them. I hope it turns out very successfully.

I would sell tickets to the concert - $10-$15 a head or whatever you think they'll pay.

I would call around to several grocery stores and see if they'd donate hot dogs/buns chips etc. You can sell those food items and make some more money.

Can you find out if anyone you know has season tickets to hockey, football, baseball games? Maybe they'll donate tickets and you can raffle them off.

If you make it fun - and the bands are a great idea, people know they are there to help financially and they will be more than generous I'm sure.

Just be aware that some people may not want to donate to you unless you have non-profit status. You many need to look into the tax implications.

Most of the benefits or fundraisers I've been to do a 50/50 or silent auction. In fact, the past two years I've won two fairly decent things.

Usually businesses and local sports teams will donate either tickets or team logo t-shirts, jerseys, etc. The hair salon where I go does one for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They raffled different off baskets put together by donors. Themed usually.

I would start soliciting the local businesses where your friends live. Her hair salon, nail salons, grocery stores, dry cleaning places. Most businesses will donate something.

You can then buy 50/50 tickets or silent auction from the ticket stubs to each person attending.

Very nice of you to do this for someone who is having a very rough time.

If at all possible, get a domain (preferably a .org) and get it set up to accept donations, this will be the easiest $$ you get if you get any kind of exposure via radio or TV. Do y'all know anyone who can donate this? Set up FB, MySpace and twitter pages immediately or ASAP, post to them every other day or so to keep those who are interested updated, you'll be amazed what can happen on social networks! Do any of you know a graphic designer and/or printer that can design/print signs. If not, homemade signs will do. Some retailers may not be open to donations, but they will let you put signs in their locations. Ask for donations of collectibles and other retail items and gift cards/certs (not just from retailers, but private individuals too) and have a silent auction tent at your event. Can any of you write a press release? Send it to all radio, TV, newspapers and mags in your area.

On every marketing vehicle you employ include the domain, social network addys and any other contact/donation method, her picture and a short bio.

Everyone involved needs to call in all markers ;-)

I'm a guerrilla marketer from way back, can ya tell, LOL?!

Good luck!

Oh, and don't forget the easiest of all... post donation and event details on CL!!!!

We can start working on all this now, right?

We live out in the sticks but when stuff goes down people pull together and help out.

TV and radio are a good idea.

"You know what they say, go big or don't go at all!"
That's exactly how I feel about it!

Wow, that is scary and it is so nice for you to do this. I remember my coworker doing an event like this. She got a tax id number to be non profit. She solicited vendors for raffle and did a spaghetti feed. She got food donated by local sphaghetti factory or grocery stores. It was real simple and like $10 a meal. It happened on the lady's sons 6th birthday so they got presents for the little guy and cake to make him feel special too.

I think tickets to the concert, 50/50, hotdogs, keep it simple.

On the issue of Pat's condition. Wow. Sounds similar to my friends problem but probably not the same.

My friend is Catholic. At 24he eloped with a Muslim and her family freaked out. She had a Catholic ceremony also to please them but just weeks before ceremony woke up with half her body paralized. From head to toe on the left side, nothing. It ended up being... chemo brain kicked in and I cannot recall name of it. Bells Palsy? Stress related paralysis. Hers was huge. She managed to regain enough physically but by wedding she had a very noticable issue with her mouth. She could not speak or smile without one side not working right. It has been probably 20 yrs and I think she still has a little of it.

Set up a Paypal account and a Facebook page for her relief.

I have no suggestions, just encouraging words for your friends.

Living in a community that pulls together is good...I just really, really hope you're not in one like ours, where EVERYWHERE you go you're bombarded with causes/donation requests.

I was recently at a fast food place and they had FIVE jars for donations for five different people in the community that needed help for various medical issues. There were mostly nickles and pennies in each jar. Made me very sad.

However, on a brighter note, be sure to submit announcements to the radio stations. They will often do brief sound bites if they're provided with them. Also, do the local churches have a community bulletin board? That's another option to advertise. You might contact some of the churches to let them know about your benefit, they can help spread the word. I doubt they'd limit it to just their congregation (or I'd hope they wouldn't!)

Best of luck

Best wishes for your friends. Hope recovery is quick.

Contact local restaurants in your area and see if they want to set up booths serving their food. They can sell it at the event or better yet, donate it. Could be something as simple as one restaurant offers their smoothies and sodas, another serves pizza slices, another serves gourmet coffee. Many restaurants will be excited to participate for the exposure and to share in the goodwill. They will usually bring their own marketing gear and signs.
Check with your local health dept. You may need to apply for a one day permit and show a plan for basic sanitation for the event if food is served. (hand washing station, toilets etc.) Good luck!