The Friends for Life program is a fundraising strategy at the Delaware General Health District, Delaware, Ohio. The traditional methods of educating the community about public health had been tried for years. Articles, brochures, ads, billborads, mailings, and newsletters had not been totally successful as the community still did not know what public health was doing for them. Friends for Life reaches the community on a personal level, one person at a time through small events at the health department. A one hour program provides historical information about the mission of public health and real-life stories about how the health department has impacted individual lives. This information encourages support of the department both financially and through word-of-mouth.

The purpose is to inform the public of the agency mission, garner support for services and funding and to create volunteer and donation opportunities.

Over 200 community members have attended one of the monthly tours over the past two years. Outcomes include an increased awareness of the responsibilities and services of the health department, numerous donations to programs and items for clients, and creation of a 501 (c) (3) corporation with over $43,000 pledged to supplement program funding. Follow-up calls to attendees show they have been enlightened and are spreading word of the Health Department's work in the community.