During the week of February 13 to 20, 2004, our Sangha participated in a unique fund-raising event. We developed and implemented a program we called a Meditation-Thon. Taking a march from the charities that sponsor "walk-a-thons", "swim-a-thons" or some other type of "thon", we came up with the idea of each of us seeking individual sponsors for our meditation---at the rate of $1 for each minute a participant meditates during the period of the event. What a grand effort this was. Each of us had the opportunity to talk to our relatives and friends about what we do and ask them to be our sponsors.

Historically, Buddhist groups seek sponsors or patrons for their activities. This fund-raiser was a chance for us to bring that patronage concept down to the individual personal level.

As part of the event, we inaugurated a business sponsorship program designed to spread information about our Center in the business community. This program resulted in a significant sponsorship by Claire Givens Violins, Inc of Minneapolis and several smaller business sponsorships for which we're very grateful.

While the final total isn't in, so far the Mediation-Thon has raised over $6,000 for our Center.

One extra bonus from this event came from a decision that our members would provide mediation around the clock for the entire week of the Meditation-Thon. This was a wonderful bonding experience for the members. There is something special to be meditating, for example, between 2:00 am and 4:00 am in the dark with the butterlamps blazing and find yourself relieved by another member at the 4:00 am hour. And members who felt it was difficult to meditate for 20 minutes found themselves breaking through to several hours of meditation in a row!!)

The results of this event have been so positive we're already beginning to talk about "next year": the bigger and better 2nd Annual Meditation-Thon!