Yesterday there was a parade in town to kick off the annual Town and Country Fair. And yes, they had my favorite, THE SHRINER CARS – woo hoo!
If you live in the country, you know that the fair is still a pretty big deal. Well, this particular fair is THE really big deal around here. In fact, it is the highpoint of the year.
This year the parade had over 170 entries and thousands of people braved the 95 degree heat to see it.
I set up my hot dog cart right on the parade route and sold a lot of hot dogs, given the heat. When I totaled up the sales, I had over three hundred dollars in my hand.
Then I gave it all to a guy named Alan.
You see, Alan is the awesome gentleman who runs the youth ministry at my church, and we were selling hot dogs to help fund activities for our young people.
It feels really nice to have a machine sitting in your garage that can make you a few hundred bucks when ever you need it.
It feels especially nice when you use that machine to do some good in your community.
And it feels humbling to know that in the process, you are serving Him.
Roll ’em all up together and that’s enough feel-good to last you a good long time.
I encourage you to do some charity work for the organization of your choice. It’s great publicity for your business and it pumps some much needed goodness into the world.
O.K. all you do-gooders, what kind of fund raising events have you slung dogs for? What other ways can you think of to slather a thick layer of love and wonderfulness all over your community – with the aid of a few good franks? Let me know in the comments!
-Steve
P.S. Stay tuned to Hot Dog Cart News for a new series starting this Thursday. It’s a big, meaty, instructional, hands-on, picture and video extravaganza of knowledge that you can use right now. In fact it’s so big that we had to break it into three parts. You’re gunna dig it!
***************************
My wife took some pictures of me slinging the ‘ol dogs around yesterday. You can check them out below. (The first thing I noticed was that I put on a few pounds since I shot the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart videos three years ago. OK, more than a few… Yikes!) Click the pics for a larger view.
Here are a couple of shots of my better side…
I always knew it, dog slingers are good people, god bless you for your good deeds.
Good deal Steve and I am sure the youth group is very appreciative!
Great looking cart, Steve!
When did you go to Gulf Shores??? I live in Mobile……………….
Just wanted to say, that you do a great job with your website.
Last September a local Girlscout troop and I slung dawgs for 4 hours one Saturday and they kept all the profits. (Over $500.00) They were shocked and wanted to give me back some of the funds. I refused and got a lot of great PR as well as a bunch of personal satisfaction.
We’re doing it again this September.
Way to go Jack!!!
-Steve
If this topic is important to you, feel free to share it on your Facebook by clicking the blue button at the left.
LOOK OUT GOOD STUFF on the way ….What’s that well known saying” DO UNTO HERS”…..How does that go ???THAT MAKES ME HAPPY!!!!!
GOD BLESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE PRAYER OF JABEZ
TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve, We do a lot of events that we give back, this year we have donated about $300 total (more to follow). Some of the donations have gone to The Warrior Care Project (my tip jar), Relay for Life (50% of sales for the event that support one of the teams) and Movies in the Park (that is a local program that shows movies in the park during the summer time which helps keep the kids off the street and gives families something that does not cost a arm and leg to see (Straight donation). Everyone needs to give back a little. I understand that people can not give money all the time but you can always give something if only a smile and a thank you or just a little of your time, it will make you feel “Good!! Good!! Duggs Doggs
My first gig in the biz was selling dogs to the little league and their families. Makes you feel great to give a little along the way.
A local park dist, allows me to sell dogs at various events since there is a no fee charge, like most events (most cost me 300) at the end of the year I give a percentage back, for them to use as needed. It makes for great PR.
We give a portion of what we make off the cart to Miracles From Mia. Saturday we helped with several other businesses in support of the West Suburban Humane Society. Jennifer; the owner of Pure Ambiance Salon was the brains behind the event.
Mr. Tiki
Hey Steve I really like the way you did your side shelf addition to your cart.
I must admit my business hasn’t worked in this blistering weather as I had wished My last two times to set up was for free at my church VBS and Sunday picnic. They bought the 280 dogs on the first outing and 110 dogs the second one. The smell of grilled dogs and onions brought a thrill to my heart along with the folks enjoying the show and banter. It is hoped some business will come my way due to this. My first paying gig in 2 months will be a 3 day 120 mile carport sale here in Arkansas. A nice man contacted me and offered to let me set up in his yard for free. He fell in love with my grilled all beef dog with “sparky T’s” almost famous dog sauce. Maybe things are looking up. D&P DOG POUND
Awesome as always Uncle Steve!
We do our fair share of donating. Our biggest job is this Saturday where we donate 25% of our earnings to the local zoo (runs on donations, unlike those of the big cities)
But just as imortantly to us, are those people young and old, that more than likely don’t have enough to eat daily. We always try and make sure they get a dog or meal free of charge, sometimes more than one. Especially the elderly (if your heart is beating, you can see it in their faces)They don’t have money…PAY IT FORWARD!!! What’s it going to cost you a buck or two? If you shut down and have meat cooked…stick it in a bun, wrap it up and shove it in their pocket and watch their face light up.
The rewards are priceless…just be aware 🙂
Great job!!! On veterans day I give a free dog to any body who tells me they are a vet.
I also put out a large tip jar with all tips going to the local VFW. Everbody leaves something.
Last year I donated over $100.00 in tips just from that day.
David,
The heat can be tough on hot food sales so try sno cones or lemonade on the cart. You will be amazed.
Good job Duke!
-Steve
Some rockin’ big hearts at Ike’s Rockin’ Dogs. Way to go Mommas!
-Steve
Steve, I have been giving all my tips to my church’s youth missions group fund since I started my business. I remember one day I received $26 for the group. They have just returned from a trip to the country of Panama and are ready for the next trip.
We keep a tip jar out and advertist that 1/2 go to Special Olympics Southern Indiana. Last year we were able to donate $250.00 through peoples generous nature.
Mr. Tiki – nice!
Duke, the veterans are near and dear to my heart. Heros all!
Navins – Must feel wonderful to be a part of that!
Dogs on the Run, Special Olympics is a great cause. Thank you for supporting them!
our whole cart is a donation. Well not actully a cart. We are a local volunteer rescue department that sling dogs on the weekend out front of some local super markets to raise money for new gear and rehab equipment for other departments. we just use a grill and a folding table for now. havent covered enough to afford a cart yet. If we have anything left over at the end of the day we give it to some of the paid departments around town
Steve,
Great looking cart. Are those long shelves on the side permanently mounted there? I like!
We did the Race for Life fundraiser for Lymphoma in May. It made a lot of money for the cause. Its a good feeling.
Way to go Marjorie!
Brandon,
Great idea to fund a much needed service. I bet the department folks love to see you guys coming with leftovers, lol.
Rock City,
The side shelves are removable. They are mounted to the permanently installed shelf brackets with carriage bolts and wing nuts. The support strut is just a piece of conduit with the ends hammered flat and holes drilled through. It is attached with wing nuts also. When we tear down for the day, we remove the shelves, tip them on edge, and slide them forward on the brackets. We then bungee the shelves, umbrellas (we have two, one on each side) and support struts together to the shelf brackets and permanently mounted lower umbrella poles on each side and off we go.
For big events we lay out a full condiment set up on each side shelf. Two servers can work the cart this way, one on each side.
Should be signing papers tonight to lease a cart for the rest of the season in Ekhart Indiana… I will be using the profits to build my own cart for next year…. I already have your dvds and I am using “cashtracker”….. so simple. Will send pictures as things move along….. look for me on facebook this week……
You Rock, Love the two umbrella set up with even a third, very cool Ideas ^f^
congrats to everyone here with big hearts!! I just LUV reading this site!
Every Black Friday,(the day after Thanksgiving) I set up at a busy shopping mall with a local Lion’s Club. Their chapter president is a regular customer and they wanted to do their first fundraiser. Along with my regular menu, I urged them to sell donuts and coffee starting at 4am when the stores open. I open my cart at 10am and we stay open till 5pm. This has become one of their largest fundraisers and has become a family tradition for us. I donate all my profits to the club which helps people obtain eyeglasses that might not otherwise afford them.
It is always fun and gratifying to be able to give something to someone in need.
You are awesome Terry. I love that it has become a family tradition. Makes it even more special!
-Steve
Great work Steve! It is nice to see that Doggers are such awesome people. In the process of setting up a non profit (501c3). Will be getting a cart soon and will be using it to raise money for the non profit as well.
Looking for a inexpensive bun warmer. Pls help
I’m in the Military and own a hotdog trailer. A couple weeks ago we raised $757 in two hours and donated to the Unit.