Fundraising scavenger hunt set for March 11
A citywide scavenger hunt will raise funds for local single mothers and their children.
The 1st Annual Seek in the City – Cape Coral will take place Saturday, March 11, from noon to 5 p.m. The event will start with a check-in and packet pickup from noon to 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Cape Coral, including a free lunch provided to the participants. The scavenger hunt runs from 1-4 p.m.
An awards ceremony, with raffles and door prizes, will take place at the church from 4-5 p.m.
Kristen Schaufler, founder of A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL, explained that she learned about citywide scavenger hunts being held on the west coast as fundraisers for various organizations.
“It looked like a lot of fun and a way to get the community involved in helping local families,” she said. “You walk away with having a fun time with family and friends and get to help families.”
The proceeds from the event will benefit A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL, a non-profit that assists single mothers and their children in Lee County. The organization hosts a support group for mothers, as well as offers practical support by providing household supplies and birthday boxes for the children.
It also organizes for members child-friendly social events, an adopt-a-family program for Christmas, practical skills classes and a school supply drive, as well as provides access to a referral network.
“This fundraiser is pretty much going to help us keep our doors open,” Schaufler said.
The registration fee is $15 per person or $40 for a five-person team.
“We only have four teams,” she said on Tuesday.
“We are definitely hoping to increase that,” Schaufler added.
Organizers are hoping for at least 15 teams.
Participants will need a digital camera or a cell phone with a camera.
“The scavenger hunt is two-fold,” she said.
The first part is to get the community involved and raise awareness for A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL, and the second part is to help out local businesses and explore what Cape Coral is all about.
“We have a beautiful city and this is a great way to bring awareness to it,” Schaufler said.
As of Tuesday, organizers had 36 clues for participants to follow.
She explained that some will involve visiting Cape businesses for a challenge, like take a picture and post it online or leave with a specific item. Others will involve finding an attraction or a landmark.
“And you have to put down the coordinates of that location,” Schaufler said.
As of Tuesday, 15 businesses had signed up to take part.
She noted that any others interested in joining can do so for a $50 fee.
“The more the better,” Schaufler said.
The participant or team to find or complete the most clues in the least amount of time wins.
“The grand prize is a $200 cash prize,” she said.
The runner-up will receive a year’s membership to the Imaginarium Science Center, located in Fort Myers, for a family of five, while the third place winner will take home a trophy and medallion.
There will also be a secret prize for the team with the best costume.
“We are definitely encouraging them to dress up,” Schaufler said, explaining that one of the clue stops will have children taking part. “They will be so excited if some of these seekers come in costume.”
During the awards ceremony, there will be some raffles and door prizes given away.
“We have some gift certificates and we have some baskets, as well,” she said.
There are a couple of game rules for participants to keep in mind.
“Our biggest one, and one that there will be no negotiating, is they cannot break any traffic laws,” Schaufler said. “They (team members) must all be in one car and they cannot split up.”
She added that all members must participate, such as being in challenge photos.
“Team members must complete the challenges together or find the clues together,” Schaufler said. “Otherwise, they will be disqualified.”
For more information about the fundraiser, or to register in advance, visit: www.amomshelpinghandofswfl.com/seek-in-the-city.html.
To sign up a business, please contact Kristen Schaufler at 239-895-5341 or amhh@comcast.net.
First Baptist Church of Cape Coral is at 4117 Coronado Parkway.