Make Believe Tea Party

This is an idea that was used by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. No finger sandwiches, crumpets or fine china necessary!  All you need are tea bags, invitations, envelopes and stamps. 

The concept:  Send an invitation for a "Make-Believe Tea Party" to your friends, neighbors co-workers, etc.  Send a tea bag (inexpensive per tea bag if you buy them in bulk - or you can try to get the tea bags donated) in an envelope along with a classy, yet catchy, invitation explaining that they are invited to a "make-believe tea party" on a certain day (Mother's Day, for example) at a certain time (high noon, for example). 

Explain that on that date and time, you will all enjoy a cup of tea (using the tea bag provided) in support of your cause (or in memory/honor of someone).  Remind them that they can take part in this tea party while still enjoying the comforts of their own home!

Ask each "guest" for a donation in return for "attending" this tea party.  Provide a SASE for their convenience.  The tea bag is theirs to keep whether they make a donation or not, but the hope is that your efforts will encourage them to send you a donation.  You can either ask for a donation of a specified amount as the "cost" for "attending" this tea party, or leave the donation amount open-ended and up to the individual. 
Be sure to send a "thank-you" to those who make a donation.

This idea comes from a website called Do It Yourself Fundraising and you can find their website here