About the Sonlight Project

First off, thanks to all of you friends for making the trip here. It means a lot.

You’re privy to the initial, pre-launch of the Sonlight Project. Below is the first “About” for the Sonlight Project.  I want each of you to be a part of the Project and help it to raise $20,000 that will be awarded to two charites at the end of 2010.  Below is an explanation of what the Project is and what it will do:

What is the Sonlight Project and what does it offer?

SonlightLex.com is the initial, prototype platform for the Sonlight Project. The 2010 goals for both are simple:
1) Make a significant financial contribution to two local Christ-based charitable organizations, All God’s Children and La Cima World Missions.

2) Provide a social media platform for Christian life in the Lexington/Central Kentucky area by highlighting the people, organizations, churches, activities, businesses and events that make this area a vibrant and shining example of a community in service to Christ. Thus, the “Sonlight” project.

3) Provide exposure for businesses, both locally-based and those that touch Central Kentuckians from abroad, and their support of Christian life and growth.

Here’s how it works:

SonlightLex.com is selling every day in 2010. Yes, we’re selling 2010.

Each day will be sold at it’s face value. January 1, 2010 will cost $1, January 2 - $2, and so on until December 31, which will cost $365.  Businesses, churches, individuals, and organizations can buy any day, or multiple days, of their choosing. On the day(s) purchased, the buyer can choose to have featured anything in the Central Kentucky area that is Christ-based. Examples?
  • The buyer’s own business and how it has grown through Christian principles;
  • A special event happening at their business;
  • A Christ-based activity or event of a local church or other group;
  • An individual church member or other person who has made a lasting impact;
  • A Christ-based organization;
  • A church-sponsored event;
  • Something unique about a person, church, business, etc.;
  • A special event in a person’s life (birthday, anniversary, retirement, new job, and how that person has directed others toward Christ or been an example of Christian life;
  • The list can go on and on…

If the buyer chooses to have a specific feature, I will write an article about the person/place/thing and publish it on the date(s) purchased, along with a profile of the business, church, individual, group, etc. that bought the day, if they choose to have me do so. I’m more than happy to do it, but some individual buyers may not want to have themselves featured.

If you buy a day and don’t have an idea for what to feature, I will be glad to plug your business or group profile into something featured on the day(s) you buy.

Monthly Sponsorships

You can also choose to sponsor a month, which is in addition to what I’ve discussed above. Your sponsorship of a month will give you prominent placement throughout the site for the entire month and a placement on a special “Sponsors” page that will remain live, year after year. Monthly sponsorships for 2010 will be sold for $750 each.

2010 pre-sale has already started, and days have already been purchased or reserved! As of right now, simply contact me at ashwriting@insightbb.com for any questions or to purchase days or monthly sponsorships.

What do I get for my money?

Yes, you will get more than your money’s worth.  People will see your pictures, logos, videos, and profile and remember that you sponsored a great feature. They’ll also associate you with a project that made a difference for two great organizations.
Everyone who buys a day(s) also gets:
  • A blog post/profile article about their business, church, organization, etc., complete with any digital photos/images the buyer can provide (there are limitations, of course);
  • Links to their online presence, website, and other contact information;
  • Their business logo and hyperlink/contact info on the SonlightLex.com Calendar, which will be visible all year and beyond;
  • Christian feature of their choosing, located in or closely related to Central Kentucky;
  • Promotion through the SonlightLex Facebook fan page and group, on Twitter, my email list and photos and mentions on Flickr.

Premier Members - those people who buy days from April 1 through December 31 -  will also receive the following:

  • I, or a SonlightLex team member, will come to your place of business with our trusty video camera and video feature anything you’d like on the SonlightLex.com website. If you’re located outside of Central Kentucky, we’ll find something that works!
  • A program detailing how you or your group can implement this same format for your own benefit, or give it to your own favorite charity for their benefit (a $249 value).

As the Project evolves and grows, what you get in return for your participation will also grow.

When every day is sold, and each monthly sponsorship is taken, SonlightLex.com will be able to reach it’s goal and donate $10,000 each to our two chosen Christ-based organizations. That’s not 1%, 2% or even 10%, but 30% of the gross proceeds. Your participation in the Sonlight Project will play a large part in making a difference for these two groups and in the lives of untold numbers of people.

About the Sonlight Project creator

Hi, I’m Alan Hammond. I’m a writer based in Lexington, Kentucky, where I live with my wife, Shonna, and two wonderful children. We’re members of Broadway Christian Church and the Agape Sunday School class.

At the moment, I’m an editor and writer for SportsMD Media Inc., the Golf Feature Writer for Suite101.com, and a writer for EverydayChristian.com, as well as other publications.  I’m also a social media and communications consultant and owner of Links Communication. Catch-up with me on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, Likaholix, at any of the above publications, or contact me at ashwriting@insightbb.com.

A few months ago, I found a great idea. Since then, it has been molded into the Sonlight Project.  As the idea developed, I’ve grown more and more excited about it’s possibilities for not only the two organizations that will be it’s direct benificiaries this year, but for charitable organizations everywhere.  This model can be a fantastic way to raise much needed capital and expand missions, and it can be applied in any endeavor.

It’s my sincere wish that each of you will take part in some way, whether through purchasing a day or two or supporting those who do, joining me on Twitter and Facebook, recuiting other participants, or simply sending along your good wishes.

Come back often and see our progress.

In Christ,

Alan L. Hammond