Looking for some inspiration? Meet one of our successful fundraisers, Sarah Lewis. Sarah recently biked 70 miles with a team in the Hope for New York Bike-a-Thon, and has raised over $1,000 with Firstgiving.com. We caught up with Sarah to hear more about her story:

Why are you fundraising?
I am fundraising for Hope for New York, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual healing of the poor, defenseless, and marginalized in New York. Hope for New York is an amazing organization that has a real impact on the city, and the best part about fundraising for them is that I get to bike for it!

How did you choose to fundraise for Hope for New York and why?
I saw an ad in my church bulletin about the bike-a-thon team that was forming to raise money for Hope for New York, and since I love biking, and have given much of my own money in the past to Hope for New York, I knew I had to get on the team.

What are your fundraising goals?
At first my fundraising target was $1,000, but I quickly raised $500 in one week and then was supported by an anonymous donation to match the $500 I had already raised so I reached my target in just one week! I attribute the speed at which I reached my goal to the ease and friendliness of Firstgiving’s online fundraising page.

What are some of the things you have done that have helped you raise money?
Firstgiving’s site definitely made it easy for my friends and family to see what it was I was fundraising for, why I was fundraising, and how to donate. I also like to think that my funny picture helped.

Sarah’s fundraising page is still accepting donations! And 22 other people have raised over $17,000 for Hope for New York with Firstgiving.