Selling cancer awareness merchandise at an engagement party?

Question

I am a supporter of the Pink Ribbon campaign that helps make people aware of breast cancer and raises money for vital research. It's my engagement party in a few weeks and I was thinking of selling merchandise there. Not walking around shoving it in people's faces, more so just having a little tray of stuff (eg. pens, badges, magnets etc...) for people to buy if they choose to. Do you think this is inappropriate?

guess also I wanted to point out that the Pink Ribbon foundation is non for profit and is the largest breast cancer awareness and funding organisation in Australia.

Just also wanted to point out that a number of my family members and my Fiance's family members have been touched by Breast Cancer - knowing someone who has been diagnosed or someone who themselves has been diagnosed for it.

The 'box' of merchandise is no bigger then an A4 piece of paper and would probably sit where the Coffee is being made.

My engagement party is very informat - it's at the local footy club and is in the form of an afternoon tea.

As I stated in the original question, no one would be asked/pestered or even encouraged to buy anything - it will be there if they want to and hey, if I don't sell anything, I just send it back with what I have already sold by just having the box here in my home. It's amazing how much you sell when you have firneds over for Coffee without trying! lol.

And also, just wanted to point out that I don't make any money from it obviously. I do it because I support the cause.

I had only added extra information so that people could base their answer on all the information rather then what would just fit in the 'question' section.

I vaule Yahoo answers because it has such a diverse range of people and that is why I decided to ask the question on here.

I for one don't think it's tacky. As a few people have stated in their answers, the people who are coming to the engagement party know in what way I have been touched by Breast Cancer and I am sure that they would have no problem in buying a pen or a ribbon.

There are some people who I don't know and have never met (from my Fiance's side) and I guess I was trying to get an idea of what people thought to see if perhaps they would think it's tacky.

I think people have gotten the idea that I have a spare $160 to donate to the fund myself (which I don't!) and I also think people thought that it would be a big table with heaps of things (it's not!).

Still not sure what I am going to do...

Answer 1

I think its a good idea. Since an engagement party usually includes those close to you, they'll know that you have someone you love suffering from it. I know if I saw it there I'd probably be more than willing to buy a few things. Then again, I have an aunt who's breast cancer just came back (she had surgery a few months ago and had to have a breast removed) so it affects me personally. But for the most part people probably wouldn't mind it at all. If you're not pressuring anyone to buy it, I don't see what the big deal is. You're doing it for a good cause, not your own personal gain anyways.

Answer 2

I don't think it's inappropriate and if I went to an engagement party with that there, I would not see it in a bad way at all. Most engagement parties are not very formal and are more of a celebration of a soon to be marriage- and you are obviously passionate about the breast cancer awareness foundations so I say it's a great thing to have at your celebration. As long as you don't make it a huge deal and make guests feel as if they must purchase something then I say have it there. Congratulations!

Answer 3

Not a good idea and really tacky. Understand where you are coming from but this is not a time to solicit. Even if the box is just sitting by the coffee people will still feel pressured. If you are that into Pink Ribbon then when people ask what kind of wedding gift you want tell them you would prefer a donation to Pink Ribbon.

Or later on host a charity dinner in honor of the foundation. You cook and members can donate upfront for their plates. And no you can't do this at your wedding.

However, judging from your "additional comments" you are going to do it anway and are looking more for a "you go girl" than help with a decision.

Answer 4

Hmmm --- a toss-up here :)
It's SUCH a worthy cause, and combined with the fact that your party is very informal, I think you could pull it off.

But, instead of having a table with items for sale, why not have a simple shoebox, wrapped in pretty pink paper and an obvious pink ribbon on the front. Don't forget to cut a slot on top to drop donations into and maybe have a a little card pasted on top that says, "Thank You For Your Gift! Love, Jane & John"
Place breast cancer awareness magnets at each place setting as a gift (whether the guest donates or not) with a short note that says something like:

"Thank you for celebrating this special occasion with us! One of the ways we would like to celebrate our engagement is by giving a special donation to the Pink Ribbon campaign. If you would like to join us in this, please visit the pink donation box at the table by the door."
(or a similar note).

I really think this would be acceptable and if you were my friend, I would DEFINITELY make a donation at your party.

CONGRATULATIONS! And, thank you for your help in raising breast cancer awareness! :)

Answer 5

I think you should keep the fundraiser separate from your engagement party, sorry. If I were one of your guests, I would feel subtly pressured to donate to a cause that's not a personal priority. (It's not that I'm unsympathetic to the pink ribbon campaign. It's just that I donate to other charities, including liver cancer and ovarian cancer research, because my dad died from the former and my mom fortuitously survived the latter, which most women don't). I won't go so far as to call what you want to do "tacky," but I tend to think that ANY pressure on a guest to open their wallet for any reason is unfair and not something nice hosts do to their guests.

Answer 6

no, i think it's tacky...really tacky. i mean, you seem to have added a lot of additional information...so something tells me you are going to do it anyways...or that you are really trying to convice yourself that it's ok...but then why would you be asking on yahoo answers if you were that confident in the idea?

i just think that an engagement party is just that. and it's hosted by people who want to celebrate YOU, not serve as a platform for your charities. of course breast cancer awareness is a great cause...and i think it would be more than appropriate to BUY every guest a bracelet...and explain that it's a gift because obviously it's october, awareness month, and that you are so fond of your family and soon to be family and you want to show them that you support them as they support you.

but to SELL it? no no no no no.

Answer 7

Even though it is for a good cause, it is definitely tacky to sell anything at an engagement party, bridal shower or wedding.

Instead why not buy the pins as favors for everyone, that way you are showing your support and encouraging your guest to also support the cause without asking them to purchase anything.

Answer 8

I would say no. It is kind of tacky although a good cause. Instead of selling merchandise at your engagement party why don't you buy breast cancer related gifts for all guests....like a ribbon and card that says money was donated in their name. I would enjoy that.

Answer 9

I think it's a great idea.

As long as the stuff is not going to be in people's faces you shouldn't have a problem.

Don't worry about offending people or being percieved as being tacky - the ones who think that this is tacky are obviously the ones who are lucky enough to not have had an encounter with breast cancer or another illness. They are not aware of the impact it can have on a family nor must they be aware of the important role people like yourself play in obtaining funding for such a worthwhile cause. Good on you.

Oh, congratulations btw!

Answer 10

Honestly, I think it would be more than a little tacky.

Instead, why not use word of mouth or a mass email to let people know that since you're a supporter of the campaign, they can get merchandise or make donations through you?