Proposal

Graduation Project Proposal

=__Project__=


 * briefly describe your intended project:**

For my graduation project, I want to create and host a fundraiser to raise money for an organization named "Cigars For Soldiers". This is a non-profit association that my family and I are working towards in becoming our own solo organization**.** With that title, we'd have the certification of raising our own funds and using that money to purchase genuine cigars and possibly other goods that are needed to send to troops in Afghanistan. All of the fund-raised money will go directly to my family, and we will have a separate bank account created specifically for the non-profit that is certified and able to be used only for buying products for this cause. I am going to host an event at Flourtown Country Club, hopefully creating somewhat of a "Business Fair" where numerous stands are set up in the banquet room, selling their products for their own benefit, but at the end of the night giving part of their profits to "Cigars for Soldiers." Business stands will include food, clothes, jewelry, arts and photographs, and any other type of business that I come across along the way that would be interested in putting their goods and services out there for one night.

Above is the email that I sent Bunny Doyle, the banquet manager at Flourtown Country Club. This email gives an in-depth overview of everything that I am intending to do for my event, and provides more detail than the paragraph above.


 * project outcome or goal:**

I am working towards completing this project with successfully certifying my family and I's right to legally create a non profit organization in which all funds and projects come and go through us. I am also hoping to fund raise money and other supplies over to troops in need by hosting a benefit event that is "Business Fair" oriented and able to make a profit for local businesses as well as my organization. From the money raised, my family and I will be able to purchase as many boxes of cigars as possible to send over to troops and platoons in Afghanistan. We will strictly be working with the Marine Corps, but if anyone else is interested in teaming up with us for different groups of armed services, we are not opposed, as long as they have their own management together.

Fund raising and raising awareness for my cause are two main focuses on how i will go about completing my project. As far as fund raising goes**,** I'm going to put out donation cups at work, as well as just using word of mouth to family and friends about making donations. As far as raising awareness, I plan on creating brochures and flyers to exemplify my cause, and also creating a FaceBook page to make people more aware about what it is I'm actually doing. My project will result in a benefit at a location [unsure where yet] which also will hopefully collect more funds and raise awareness.
 * project completion strategies:**


 * project resources and materials:**

I will need a wide support from my family to help complete the goal of becoming a certified organization so we can get this off the ground quicker and make more of an impact. I am also going to need other possible locations for help to raise money, help from the Flourtown Country Club to help make the location fit for the event and and successful, and many businesses that are willing to jump into this project with me. My brother and I have numerous friends and young people who design and create products for a living [t-shirts, art, photographs, etc.] as well as other people who we will ask to set stands up with clothing, jewelry, music, and other things. I need to get a certified copy of my non profit acceptance as well as contracts from businesses and the country club. My hours need to be based also around working with Temple's Honors Society and getting members involved with coming up with good advertisement ideas and new business prospects.

You are off to a great start. Remember to keep track of all of your hours and tasks that you accomplish as you and your family are seting up this non-profit. Also--take a lot of pictures!

=__ Research __=

The topic of my research that I decided to focus on was mainly American soldiers' lives and how they live day by day while they are overseas. Another essential part of my research is ways that Americans can care for them and make them feel more at home. I chose this topic mostly because my brother has just spent the last six months fighting in Afghanistan as Marine. I want to find some sort of way where I can relate to him and can show my appreciation to who he is and what he does every day. Also, not just on my brother's part, but as a general American, I support troops overseas and believe that they should receive the respect that they deserve and receive anything else that they might need because it's important for their well-being.
 * Research Topic: **

Soldiers stationed overseas have different needs than those in the United States. Why is it our responsibility to meet those needs and what can we do to make sure they are met?
 * Essential Question: **

I haven't had much previous experience with this topic. The only experience that I could describe would be speaking with my brother while he was overseas and getting slightly more of a better feel of what it was like for him being away. This is what helped my family come up with the idea "Cigars for Soldiers" to help benefit him. Other than that, the only things I hear about the war are through newspapers and the news.
 * Prior Experience: **

Marines overseas in Afghanistan will benefit from my research investigation because I will be able to get a better understanding of what is necessary as a means of survival for them and how Americans can help them meet their needs. I will also benefit from this research investigation because I will be more aware of global current events that are going on in the world today, and be prepared with better ideas on how to make a difference about them.
 * Research Benefits: **

**Potential Sources:** Three potential sources for information about my topic will hopefully be my brother, Bill, because he has just spent the last 6 months in Afghanistan so he knows a lot more about anyone else that I would hear from and is also aware of what is needed overseas. The New York Times will also be a reliable source because right now they have a current blog called "At War" where they invite anyone, specifically soldiers and aids who have worked or been stationed in Afghanistan, to share their stories and write articles about events and conditions. Also, through the New York Times, there is a seperate media blog called "A Year At War" where an marine infantry was followed during the course of their deployment to Afghanistan. It involves pictures, interviews, as well as letters from family members and thoughts from the soldiers. All other sources that will be reliable to my research include major newspapers and magazines that have current, up to date articles giving information on the status of the country and soldiers. Newspapers and magazines will include //The Philadelphia Inquirer//, //The Washington Post//, and //Time// magazine.