Renovate/Move Logos Bookstore of HI
Donation protected
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are NOT closing! We are planning on serving Hawaii for many more years, which is why we are announcing a fundraising drive by Logos Bookstore of Hawaii. Our goal is to raise $100,000 to renovate/move the bookstore. We need your prayers and support if Logos is to continue beyond 2016. I apologize that this email is long, but it is important that you understand our situation.
Logos Bookstore of Hawaii is a ministry/business – our ministry is to provide Christian resources (bibles, books, gifts, music, curriculum, DVDs, church supplies) to our local community, in order for people to nurture their relationship with Christ and to spread God’s Word. Logos is 33 years old and in our 5th location. Our lease ends on December 31, 2016, so we have one year left before we have to move. We may be able to stay in our current location for 1-2 years more, depending upon lease negotiations, but we will have to downsize by 30% in order to afford the lease rent. In either case, staying or moving - renovations will be costly.
We estimate expenses of approx. $100,000 to renovate/move the bookstore. Our last two moves cost $150,000 each. Logos does not have any financial reserves. All reserves have been depleted in the years since 2007, when the recession hit. Prior to July 2014, we were on the road to financial stability, but Amazon Prime changed its service offerings in that month & our sales dropped on average 12% every month. This loss of sales has hurt us financially. We understand the desire for convenience and low prices, but we need your business too. Also, we are often asked to match Amazon’s prices, which mean we make 0% - 15% profit margin. This fund drive would not be necessary if we did not have to give away so much in discounts. In order to survive, we have taken every effort to reduce expenses and staffing. We have minimal staffing now and I have not received a salary in 3 years. At this point you may be wondering if Logos Bookstore is viable. Yes, we are! Among Christian bookstores nationally, we are in the top 5% of annual net sales. We struggle financially because our rent and shipping costs are 3 times more expensive than on the Mainland.
We realize that the retail environment has changed but we also believe that there is still a need for our existence. Where would people go to look at different kinds of bibles for new Christians or for themselves? Or what about that emergency gift for a friend who is diagnosed with cancer? As 2015 came to a close, three teenagers came into the store looking for a daily devotional that a dozen or so of their friends could do together. For two of the teens, it was their first time in the store & they were excited that they found a book that would guide them on their faith journey. Growing in Christ and nurturing grace & wisdom has no shortcuts. It takes a church, a small group, a family and a brick and mortar Christian bookstore to do that. Shopping online offers convenience and price discounts but it can’t replace relationships. We need your prayers, financial support, and most of all, your on-going business. If you don’t shop with us, we will close anyway. Shop local and support your community!
If you believe that Logos Bookstore serves you or our community, please consider contributing to our fundraising drive. This drive begins immediately, as of January 15, 2016 and ends April 30, 2016. If we do not raise a total of $100,000 by April 30th, we may have to close the bookstore on December 31, 2016.
We have two channels for raising funds:
Direct contributions to Logos – either by check, credit card, or cash. Please contact Carl, Kai, or Robyn to make your contribution. At the end of the drive, if we achieve our goal, all contributions of $250 or more will receive a “Thank You” gift = 25% of the contribution will be gifted back as a gift card, redeemable at Logos. If we do not achieve our total goal of $100,000, all monies will be refunded.
The crowdfunding website, GoFundMe, will be our 2nd source for receiving contributions. It will be a fixed funding drive, which means that if we do not meet our goal of $50,000 through the website (part of the total $100,000 goal), then all monies will be refunded to the contributors. Monies through the website will be accepted in any amount, by credit card only. Only contributions given directly to Logos Bookstore will receive a “Thank You” gift as noted above.
See the chart below - it provides an example of how our fundraising goal can be achieved.
Fundraising Goal – Suggested Contributions
Direct Contributions to Logos:
Qty Amount Total Raised
5 $1,000 $5,000
10 $750 $7,500
25 $500 $12,500
100 $250 $25,000
140 TOTAL $50,000
$250+ contributions receive 25% rebate as Gift Card.
GoFundMe Website:
Qty Amount Total Raised
150 $100 $15,000
700 $50 $35,000
850 TOTAL $50,000
990 GRAND TOTAL $100,000
This goal is achievable! We have 19,000 customers on our direct mail list and 13,000 on our email list.
I leave you with one of my favorite scripture passages - Philippians 4: 4-9.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you."
Thank you for your prayers and support for the past 33 years! We hope to continue serving you for many more years. To God be the glory!!
In Christ,
Carl Ashizawa, Manager
We are NOT closing! We are planning on serving Hawaii for many more years, which is why we are announcing a fundraising drive by Logos Bookstore of Hawaii. Our goal is to raise $100,000 to renovate/move the bookstore. We need your prayers and support if Logos is to continue beyond 2016. I apologize that this email is long, but it is important that you understand our situation.
Logos Bookstore of Hawaii is a ministry/business – our ministry is to provide Christian resources (bibles, books, gifts, music, curriculum, DVDs, church supplies) to our local community, in order for people to nurture their relationship with Christ and to spread God’s Word. Logos is 33 years old and in our 5th location. Our lease ends on December 31, 2016, so we have one year left before we have to move. We may be able to stay in our current location for 1-2 years more, depending upon lease negotiations, but we will have to downsize by 30% in order to afford the lease rent. In either case, staying or moving - renovations will be costly.
We estimate expenses of approx. $100,000 to renovate/move the bookstore. Our last two moves cost $150,000 each. Logos does not have any financial reserves. All reserves have been depleted in the years since 2007, when the recession hit. Prior to July 2014, we were on the road to financial stability, but Amazon Prime changed its service offerings in that month & our sales dropped on average 12% every month. This loss of sales has hurt us financially. We understand the desire for convenience and low prices, but we need your business too. Also, we are often asked to match Amazon’s prices, which mean we make 0% - 15% profit margin. This fund drive would not be necessary if we did not have to give away so much in discounts. In order to survive, we have taken every effort to reduce expenses and staffing. We have minimal staffing now and I have not received a salary in 3 years. At this point you may be wondering if Logos Bookstore is viable. Yes, we are! Among Christian bookstores nationally, we are in the top 5% of annual net sales. We struggle financially because our rent and shipping costs are 3 times more expensive than on the Mainland.
We realize that the retail environment has changed but we also believe that there is still a need for our existence. Where would people go to look at different kinds of bibles for new Christians or for themselves? Or what about that emergency gift for a friend who is diagnosed with cancer? As 2015 came to a close, three teenagers came into the store looking for a daily devotional that a dozen or so of their friends could do together. For two of the teens, it was their first time in the store & they were excited that they found a book that would guide them on their faith journey. Growing in Christ and nurturing grace & wisdom has no shortcuts. It takes a church, a small group, a family and a brick and mortar Christian bookstore to do that. Shopping online offers convenience and price discounts but it can’t replace relationships. We need your prayers, financial support, and most of all, your on-going business. If you don’t shop with us, we will close anyway. Shop local and support your community!
If you believe that Logos Bookstore serves you or our community, please consider contributing to our fundraising drive. This drive begins immediately, as of January 15, 2016 and ends April 30, 2016. If we do not raise a total of $100,000 by April 30th, we may have to close the bookstore on December 31, 2016.
We have two channels for raising funds:
Direct contributions to Logos – either by check, credit card, or cash. Please contact Carl, Kai, or Robyn to make your contribution. At the end of the drive, if we achieve our goal, all contributions of $250 or more will receive a “Thank You” gift = 25% of the contribution will be gifted back as a gift card, redeemable at Logos. If we do not achieve our total goal of $100,000, all monies will be refunded.
The crowdfunding website, GoFundMe, will be our 2nd source for receiving contributions. It will be a fixed funding drive, which means that if we do not meet our goal of $50,000 through the website (part of the total $100,000 goal), then all monies will be refunded to the contributors. Monies through the website will be accepted in any amount, by credit card only. Only contributions given directly to Logos Bookstore will receive a “Thank You” gift as noted above.
See the chart below - it provides an example of how our fundraising goal can be achieved.
Fundraising Goal – Suggested Contributions
Direct Contributions to Logos:
Qty Amount Total Raised
5 $1,000 $5,000
10 $750 $7,500
25 $500 $12,500
100 $250 $25,000
140 TOTAL $50,000
$250+ contributions receive 25% rebate as Gift Card.
GoFundMe Website:
Qty Amount Total Raised
150 $100 $15,000
700 $50 $35,000
850 TOTAL $50,000
990 GRAND TOTAL $100,000
This goal is achievable! We have 19,000 customers on our direct mail list and 13,000 on our email list.
I leave you with one of my favorite scripture passages - Philippians 4: 4-9.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you."
Thank you for your prayers and support for the past 33 years! We hope to continue serving you for many more years. To God be the glory!!
In Christ,
Carl Ashizawa, Manager
Organizer and beneficiary
Joe Logos
Organizer
Honolulu, HI
CARL ASHIZAWA
Beneficiary