Sometimes, the most powerful fundraising ideas begin with a story that sparks curiosity, empathy, and action.

For Veronica Winkler, that inspiration is deeply personal. Veronica is part of the IFOPA family through her sister-in-law, Hope Newport, and her connection to the FOP community helped spark a meaningful conversation at home about how they could help others.

After reading the book Pay It Forward together this year, Veronica and her kids, Evangeline (10), George (8), and Albert (6), decided they didn’t just want to talk about kindness—they wanted to act on it. So they came up with an idea of their own.

The kids planned a bake sale to “pay it forward,” chose whom they wanted to support (the IFOPA!), made goodies to sell, and even helped design the advertisement. Every step of the project was theirs, from concept to creation. And if you ask Veronica, their excitement says it all.

What makes this story so special isn’t the size of the event—it’s the heart behind it. This is community fundraising at its best: a simple idea, fueled by passion, teamwork, and the belief that even small actions can make a real difference.

Stories like Veronica’s remind us that no idea is too small. Whether it’s a bake sale, a classroom project, a neighborhood event, or something entirely new, all it takes is a commitment to help and the courage to start. Even the smallest hands can help build a stronger community, powered by kindness and care.

If you’ve been thinking about a way to support the FOP community but aren’t sure where to begin, you don’t have to do it alone. IFOPA is here to help with resources like awareness cards, bracelets, custom fundraising pages, or QR codes to collect donations.

Have an idea you’d like to explore? Reach out to IFOPA Executive Director Michelle Davis at [email protected] to talk it through and get the support you need to bring it to life.