I've Been Published!! E.J. Swatsell on Scrap Metal -- Ha Ha

   

     I've been published by Group Magazine! I realize it's just a 3x5 article, but its right there in the May-June 2013 edition on page 29. It may not mean much to many people, but I'm tickled pink! For those of you who don't know, Group Magazine is a bi-monthly periodical about youth ministry and for youth ministers. It is a fountain of encouragement and knowledge. If you are in youth ministry, this is a must have. If I'm not mistaken, there is a e-copy available as well. Check it out... seriously.

     The article that was published was about a fundraiser that we do at Cedar Creek. It actually all started as a joke. I was standing in the narthex of the church one Sunday morning talking about fund raising options and an older friend and youth group supporter jokingly stated that we should sell scrap metal, because its price is high at the moment. He was joking, but it struck my interest quickly. When something like that gets stuck in my head, I might as well explore it or I'll never get it out of my noggin. One thing led to another and we started the process.

    

Here is one of the most important factors about fundraising in a rural congregation. Most members of a rural congregation have had to work hard all of their lives. They are more than willing to financially aide a cause, but not until that cause works for it. They've worked hard for what they've got, and they naturally expect teenagers in a youth group to do the same. Remember that and fund raising in the rural congregation will go a lot smoother.

     Since I grew up on the farm and still farm a little, I have access to equipment such as trailers and such. This made the scrap metal collection process easier. It was definitely a God thing, as we started with one small dump trailer load of metal. By the end of our first drive we had collected over $15,000 in scrap metal. We frequented the scrap yard so much that we were on a first name basis with the owner. He would usually add a couple cents on the pound when he saw us coming; since it was for a good cause and all. There were even congregants asking us to come clean out their garages, which we did gladly because a good sized garage usually equals about a ton of metal. Then there were a few people who donated old silage trucks that were no longer usable. They robbed what parts they needed and we rolled it up on a trailer and hauled it off.

A thing to remember is that different metals sell for different prices. An example would be that scrap sells for around a dime per pound but good copper sells at $1.40 per pound. Aluminum is also higher. Scrap yards also accept old car batteries and radiators at a higher price than scrap. Again, with God's blessings and the assistance and support of the community, scrap metal collection worked out well for us. Will it work well for you? I'm not sure, but I know that if you're willing to work it is definitely worth the effort. Happy scrapping!