The Top 6 Custom Firefighter Fundraising Products

Fire departments are important to any municipality. Unfortunately, many fire departments are severely underfunded, and some have even had to cut staff members and labor hours. How, then, can a private citizen help a local fire department? Why, through fundraising, of course!

There are many different types of fundraising events you can organize to aid your local fire department, including car washes, bake sales, door-to-door collection campaigns, and raffles. When it comes to different ways to fundraise, the list is practically endless.

However, one of the best ways for private citizens to raise money for fire departments is to sell custom fundraising products. Certain products are made specifically for this purpose. For instance, you may choose to sell firefighter decals featuring a custom department-related design. To make money for fire dept gifts, buy these custom items at low bulk prices, and then sell them with a markup at public events. Following, you’ll find a list of the most popular custom fundraising products.

Stadium Cushions — Putting the “fun” in both “functional” and “fundraising,” custom stadium cushions make great raffle items or door prizes at special events. Personalize the cushion with a custom fire department logo for a more local feel.

Custom Footballs — Whether it’s regulation size or miniature, everybody loves a football. Custom footballs make great fire department gift items, especially around Super Bowl time.

Tote Bags — Invite supporters to turn every shopping trip into a subtle pep rally for your local fire department with a custom tote bag sporting your fire department’s insignia.

Water Bottles — Popular with runners, hikers, athletes, and earth-lovers, custom water bottles feature local firefighter decals and are a great incentive for people to buy raffle tickets or take part in fundraising activities.

Magnets — Custom magnets are a popular way to say “Thank You” to those who have made a donation to the fire department. They can be as simple as a logo design or as complex as a year-long calendar.

Toys — Toy donation fundraising campaigns are always popular with firefighters. Here’s how it works: People buy toys, such as stuffed teddy bears, that feature local firefighter decals or department insignias. The fire department then donates these gifts to a local toy drive. The fire department gets to keep the money raised from the sale of the toys and local children get a better holiday season. It’s a win-win situation if ever there was one.

Of course, selling custom fire dept. gifts isn’t the only way to raise money for local firefighters. Probably the easiest way of supporting these brave men and women is through a direct donation. Check with your local department about their donation policies. There may even be a local charity that acts on their behalf.

Local fire departments are key to every city’s infrastructure. Organizing a fire department fundraising event, selling custom fire dept. gifts and firefighter decals, and making donations are great ways to show your appreciation for the brave men and women who risk their lives to improve the lives of others.

~Jeff Burkman, 2010

Aaron Rodgers Rookie Cards Wise Investment

He is one of the hottest young players in the NFL right now. Is it a smart move to invest in Aaron Rodgers rookie cards?

Rodgers has some pros and cons as a target for your sports memorabilia investment dollar. He plays the glamour position of quarterback and play for the Green Bay Packers, one of the game’s greatest franchises. He is a very talented player, but not yet on the elite level When you look at the players whose cards hold the highest value they are usually players that came into the NFL and were instant superstars. The upside of a player like Rodgers at this moment might be more in line with Dan Fouts, a Hall of Fame quarterback for sure but not a great of the game like Joe Montana, John Elway or Brett Favre.

One obstacle for Aaron Rodgers is the shadow cast by his predecessor at quarterback for the Packers. Right or wrong he will always be measured against Favre. This is a comparison he is destined to lose for a variety of reasons. Favre was a swashbuckling hero who won a Super Bowl and played every game injured or not.

Yet Rodgers has many similar qualities. He’s a quiet leader, but also tough and may have more respect from his teammates than Favre did at his age. Rodgers is smart, makes good decisions and can run a little, meaning he’s not dull by any stretch.

If you are sold on Aaron Rodgers as the real deal I have some good choices. Just remember that the current football card market is much different than in years past. Inserts, autographed cards and game worn swatch cards dominate today’s market. The days of a plain ordinary rookie card having any kind of long-term value are gone forever. This poses some problems for the collector. With literally tens of different rookie cards to choose from you really never know which one will be best over the long run.

One card I like is the 2005 Exquisite RC Autographed patch card of Rodgers. It is visually pleasing and offers both swatches of his game worn jersey and his verified autograph. It has a demonstrated sale price in the $500 range and is limited to 199 copies available.

Another approach to Rodgers investment is to go with bulk instead of gems. The 2005 Upper Deck rookie card sells for a couple bucks right now as a single. You can buy large lots of this card for less than a dollar a piece on Ebay. You can in fact buy one of these large lots now and make a profit simply by selling them individually on Ebay. You can also horse huge quantities of this card for minimal investment. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that several pro bowl season and a Super Bowl or two would not put this card into the $5 or higher price range. If it achieves this level you can make much more money selling this card is huge quantities than you can investing in the more higher priced varieties. In this hobby a $1 card becomes a $5 card much easier than a $100 card becomes a $500 card.

Rodgers lost two season sitting on the bench, does not have prime star quality coming into the league from college and plays in the shadow of one of the game’s greats. But as Mike Holmgren once told Reggie White as he recruited the late, great defensive end, “Reggie you can go anywhere and be a star. Come to Green Bay and you’ll be a legend.”

If Rodgers can continue to lead the Packers to deep playoff runs and win a Super Bowl or two, he’ll be primed to carve his own place in NFL history. Snap up a few Aaron Rodgers rookie cards or a few nice Rodgers autographed items and you might be glad you did.