Organizations large and small have needed to rethink fundraising strategy in response to the COVID-19 crisis and Duet: Partners In Health & Aging is no exception.
Every year the Phoenix-based nonprofit holds the Partners in Compassion Luncheon, an event that brings the community together to raise funds for programs and services while telling the stories of the lives Duet has touched. In the wake of social distancing guidelines and a stay-at-home order, the organization could not move forward with this year’s event.
“When you are part of a small nonprofit that has delivered its services free-of-charge for nearly forty years, having to cancel a major fundraiser is a heavy blow,” says Duet executive director Ann Wheat. “We quickly took up the challenge of creating a virtual event in hopes that by sharing our story, our community would be moved to donate – even without a light lunch served.”
The reimagined event features a 12-minute video, introduced by Wheat, where the real-life recipients of Duet’s vital services share their stories with the viewer. Seeing the faces and hearing the stories gives the viewer the opportunity to make the connection between the services available and the real-life impact they have.
“We wanted our virtual event to reflect the way we serve community members in need – with compassion, dignity and hope,” Wheat shares. “Each person featured in our virtual event video has experienced profound hardship and also benefitted from Duet extending a helping hand. Their stories are unscripted and deeply human.”
A high school student named Kendra, whose grandmother has Alzheimer’s disease, performed the music featured in the video.
“We hope the song and stories of hope amidst struggle will move people to give what they are able… and remind us that we’re all in this together,” Wheat says.
Duet: Partners In Health & Aging is a nonprofit organization that promotes health and well-being through vitally needed services to homebound adults, family caregivers, faith communities and grandfamilies.
To volunteer, donate, or learn more about the programs and services offered, visit www.duetaz.org or call (602) 274-5022. To keep up with the latest news and updates, follow Duet on Facebook.