How do bees make money? Fundraising costume advice please
May 8, 2019 1:24 PM Subscribe
I am "running" a 10k soon dressed as a bee, raising money for cancer research, and would appreciate some ideas on how best to collect coins en route.
Last time I took an open bucket round and collected a worthwhile sum from spectators, but it was hugely annoying carrying a big open jangling bucket of coins in one hand. The costume is here: the fur bit is an open sack at the bottom, at about mid-thigh, and I'll be wearing slim-fitting running pants underneath. Like so.
I have two ideas for how to mitigate the imbalance and jangle:
1. I make a big flower out of rigid petals with a funnel in the middle, that connects to a tight-fitting backpack like a hydration pack (under the fur) by means of wide tubing. So the (usually) kids can throw coins into the centre of the flower. The problem here is that I would have to then raise it above my head for the coins to go into the backpack, in some sort of big thank-you waving gesture. Am not really up for doing that n-times and looking mad.
2. I collect coins in a pot marked "honey" or something, then pour it into big yellow "pollen baskets" sewn to the outside of each thigh like the pockets on cargo pants. These would be lined with e.g. thick foam or layers of bubble wrap to muffle the jiggling. But with about 50-odd one-pound coins in each, this option might be a pain in the whatsit as well.
Does anyone please have any better ideas or ways to improve on the above?
Last time I took an open bucket round and collected a worthwhile sum from spectators, but it was hugely annoying carrying a big open jangling bucket of coins in one hand. The costume is here: the fur bit is an open sack at the bottom, at about mid-thigh, and I'll be wearing slim-fitting running pants underneath. Like so.
I have two ideas for how to mitigate the imbalance and jangle:
1. I make a big flower out of rigid petals with a funnel in the middle, that connects to a tight-fitting backpack like a hydration pack (under the fur) by means of wide tubing. So the (usually) kids can throw coins into the centre of the flower. The problem here is that I would have to then raise it above my head for the coins to go into the backpack, in some sort of big thank-you waving gesture. Am not really up for doing that n-times and looking mad.
2. I collect coins in a pot marked "honey" or something, then pour it into big yellow "pollen baskets" sewn to the outside of each thigh like the pockets on cargo pants. These would be lined with e.g. thick foam or layers of bubble wrap to muffle the jiggling. But with about 50-odd one-pound coins in each, this option might be a pain in the whatsit as well.
Does anyone please have any better ideas or ways to improve on the above?
I think you want all of the above combined, with a fanny* pack or two also. many small storage locations lets you distribute the weight for better efficiency and ergonomics, and gives you flexibility to allocate and re-allocate as necessary.
*E.g. this, not sure what you call them in UK, probably not that.
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:38 PM on May 8, 2019
*E.g. this, not sure what you call them in UK, probably not that.
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:38 PM on May 8, 2019
Have a bag inside the bucket, like a bin bag. When there are sufficient coins to be annoying, tie it shut tightly, maybe with a rubber band, throw it in the bottom of the bucket, and put another bag on. Repeat until the end of the race.
posted by zamboni at 1:43 PM on May 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by zamboni at 1:43 PM on May 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
Have a funnel in the top of the bucket that feeds into a sock, or stretchy cloth bag. The coins will be constrained inside the sock, and not jangle.
posted by zamboni at 1:45 PM on May 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by zamboni at 1:45 PM on May 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
I’d maybe go for a smaller bucket, like a kid’s beach bucket, transferring the coins into one or two yellow bum bags like the one SaltySalticid links to, as your pollen sacs.
I feel like the smaller bucket would be much easier to carry while you run and it’ll be lighter if you’re decanting the cash. Maybe stuff a sock or two in the bum bag to stop the coins jingling too much.
posted by penguin pie at 2:04 PM on May 8, 2019
I feel like the smaller bucket would be much easier to carry while you run and it’ll be lighter if you’re decanting the cash. Maybe stuff a sock or two in the bum bag to stop the coins jingling too much.
posted by penguin pie at 2:04 PM on May 8, 2019
Jogging stroller. Your bucket of honey is the baby.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:44 PM on May 8, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by ocherdraco at 3:44 PM on May 8, 2019 [10 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for all these ideas! I'll be home tommorrow trying them all out with my "technical support team" i.e. my dad, and will report back!
posted by runincircles at 2:55 AM on May 17, 2019
posted by runincircles at 2:55 AM on May 17, 2019
Response by poster: thanks again, I went with backpack containing socks for storing coins, and a collection jar done up like a flower slung round the shoulders. Fun time, raised a boatload of cash. x
posted by runincircles at 8:52 AM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by runincircles at 8:52 AM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
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You could rest it over your shoulder hobo-style (and alternate arms/sides if that becomes tiring) and then swing it around to present it to spectators as needed. It might save a few steps since you wouldn't need to run right up to people?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:35 PM on May 8, 2019 [5 favorites]