It’s not unusual for charities to sponsor walks, fun runs or marathons to raise money, but a Charlottesville group is taking a more passive approach to funding its operation – inviting people to sit down and relax.
Telethons and marathons are time-tested ways to raise money, but a not-for-profit in Charlottesville wanted to try something new and compatible with its mission. Paige Ryan is director of outreach for Common Ground Healing Arts.
"We have acupuncture, massage and yoga," she says. "All three are great for pain and stress relief, and they’re services that a lot of our clients have never tried before.”
Those clients include prison inmates, residents of public housing and senior citizens along with low-income families and individuals. To help fund services for them, the public is invited to visit Common Ground’s studio at the Jefferson School in downtown Charlottesville this Saturday – to join one of ten different styles of meditation.
The sit-a-thon begins at ten and runs through 8:30 p.m.
“People can come and join for one hour or the whole day and make their donation at that time,” Ryan explains.
Common Ground hopes the experience will benefit participants and the organization and has labeled its event "Charlottesville’s most blissful fundraiser."