Church group launches novel fundraiser - May. 27, 2010
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John Gardner/Courier
Gateway Cathedral youth pastor Jonathan Hatt (foreground) has lots to think about as he sits on this colourful toilet that has been making the rounds in the area. The youth group at the church is using the fixture to raise money for improvements to the Oak Hill Christian Centre. Homeowner Peggy Matheson has lined up several people who will be flushed with pride as it appears on their lawn.
By JOHN GARDNER
john@stcroixcourier.ca
St. Stephen — What do you do when your group is not flush with cash?
Gateway Cathedral youth pastor Jonathan Hatt plumbed the depths of his imagination for a unique solution.
A toilet bowl.
The youth group took the mundane fixture and made it colourful, adding splashes of orange, purple and blue. The concept is simple, people contact the youth group to install the unit on someone's lawn (preferably not in their own neighbourhoods), in a prominent location.
In general the team will install the porcelain throne in the front yard for all the neighbours to see, with flowerbeds considered an ideal location.
For about the price of the cost of the club pack of toilet paper a person can ask the youth group to plant the toilet at the house of their choosing.
Of course, nobody has to live in fear of extra seating landing on their well-manicured lawn. Indeed, anyone can buy insurance for only $25, but there’s a catch: the team is open to bribes.
For the mere sum of $50, the youth group will overlook the messy matter of someone else’s insurance and plant the porcelain potty at a location of the payer’s preference.
For a donation of $100 to the cause, anyone can purchase the ultimate insurance and put the lid down on the whole scheme, confident the commode will grace someone else’s abode.
As the fundraiser has progressed, each of the victi … er, recipients has added a little something to personalize the chamber pot.
When it landed at the home of Peggy and Lance Matheson, Lance’s attention to his new lawn ornament was triggered by what he thought to be lightning. It was, he soon discovered, simply the flashes of cameras as people took pictures.
“I have to come up with some money, because I have to have this thing removed off my lawn,” thought Peggy.
The Mathesons added a rubber snake to the bowl, in addition to the catalog Pastor Gord Walsh had left behind when it was on his lawn.
Hatt has tried this before when as a youth pastor in Sussex.
The idea came to mind because his assistant was throwing out his toilet, and offered it up for anything Hatt could think of.
“I've heard of the fundraiser with pink flamingos, so it is kind of like that,” said Hatt.
The youth group at the church is raising money to make improvements at the Oak Hill Christian Centre the church owns and operates as a camp. The group hopes to raise enough to install a climbing wall.
If you would like to make a statement on someone's lawn you can contact Hatt at Gateway Cathedral, at 466-2503.
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