Julie Gumm - Author

Karaoke Night Fundraiser

by //

One of my favorite fundraising ideas in the book is the karaoke night that the Besk Family held. The event was May 9th, so I wasn’t able to put the amount raised in the book. I couldn’t wait to hear how it went.

A grill/pub owner donated their place for the night and even covered the karaoke service. So the event didn’t cost the Besk’s anything.

Here’s how the game was played:

$30 – paid at the beginning of the night to completely “buy-out” of having to sing all night, but you can still pay to see others sing. They wore beads so people knew not to write their name down.

$10 – to make a buddy sing, you pick the song

$5 – buddy can add a friend, or change the song

$15 – buddy can get out of it completely, and make the original person sing, unless that person did a complete “buy-out”

Catherine said their “dream goal” was $1,250 – the amount they needed to have all of their referral fee. She expected more like $600.

Final total?

$1,311

Read more on the Besk’s blog.

Appearing on The Dave Ramsey Show

by //

I am THRILLED to announce that I’ll be on The Dave Ramsey show (via phone interview) on Tuesday, June 7th to talk about our story and “Adopt Without Debt”. This is honestly beyond my wildest dreams and I’m so excited to keep spreading the message of hope!

You can listen live online. I will be on around 2:35 pm central time. If Dave is on one of your local stations (find out here) his time slot may affect what day it airs. It’s recorded live from 2-5 eastern time so if he’s on in the morning on your station I think that means my interview will air on the 8th.

I’ll post more details closer to the date, but spread the word!

Me, my book & Dave

by //

A month ago when I was finishing the book project, I began to think about who I might ask to review the book and provide endorsements or testimonials. I am blessed to have friendships with some amazing people in the adoption and orphan care community, so I began to jot down names.

Of course there was one obvious non-adoption name…Dave Ramsey.

He does have a major role in our story (and the book), so I figured why not reach for the moon, right? If nothing else, I would feel honored if he heard about our story and knew the part he played in all of it.

Pie-in-the-sky dreams!

As the book came out, more and more people would make comments about how I should send it to Dave, etc. And I kept finding connections. I’ve chatted with one of his VPs about orphan care, and then I learned Beza’s teacher’s best friend is a video editor for Dave. Another gal had a friend who’s husband works for Dave.

Last week during my breakout at CAFO Summit 7, I gave away two copies of Dave’s book “Total Money Makeover” along with several copies of my book. During the Q&A someone asked “So when are you going to be on Dave Ramsey?” I laughed and joked that they should all email Dave and ask him.

Well afterward another attendee, Russ, said he was friends with the Director of National Sales & Sponsorship and he would mention the book to him. He did, his friend said he would pass it on to the producer, but basically not to get too hopeful – that Dave rarely invites guests on that he doesn’t already know personally.

I thanked Russ for his efforts and said that I would really just be honored if I could get a copy in Dave’s hands.

This afternoon I got an email. I recognized the name (Blake Thompson) and the subject line said “The Dave Ramsey Show”. I gasped, clicked and then screamed when I read it.

“…heard about your story & book…sounds like a perfect fit w/ Dave’s teaching on the subject and I feel it can help a lot of listeners considering adoption.  Would love to have you on the national radio show for a segment via the phone if interested.”

Mark was reading over my shoulder (he came over when I screamed).

And then I cried. Yes, I actually cried.

It was one of those “God amazed me” kind of cries. He blew my “pie in the sky” dreams OUT OF THE WATER!!!

I still, 5 hours later, have a silly grin on my face.

So yours truly will be on THE Dave Ramsey show on Tuesday, June 7th at 2:35 central time.

You can listen live on the website or go here and find a local station.

Not all the radio stations air the show live, so it may depend on what time slot Dave is in as to when you hear it. (If your station airs him in the morning, my guess is that the segment will air June 8th.)

For my Phoenix peeps Dave is on KTAR 92.3 from 7-10 p.m. If I’m calculating right I’ll be on around 8:30ish. I’ll blog specifics closer to the date.

In the meantime I am praising God and giving him all the credit for orchestrating what seemed beyond reach!