Team Captains
Team Captain Challenge – 10 Ways to Raise $250
04 years ago
Are you ready for the 2007 Team Captain Challenge? We are asking that each Team Captain consider setting a base goal of having their local team raise $2,000. How??? Each Team Captain recruits 8 walkers raising $250 and you’re there! Share the ideas below with your team members to help them reach their goal.
10 Ways for your Walkers to raise $250
- Sponsor Yourself $25
- Ask your Hair Dresser $25
- Ask A Neighbor $25
- Ask A Friend $25
- Ask A Family Member $25
- Ask Your Co-Worker $25
- Ask Your Boss $25
- Ask A Business you Frequent $25
- Ask Someone At Your Place of Worship $25
- Ask your Child’s School Principal $25
- Ask your Child’s Teacher $25
TOTAL $250
Team Captains whose teams raise $2000+ will become part of the FOH Team’s Most Valuable Player Club and receive special recognition. MVP Team members will also be recognized for their outstanding efforts and contribution to their local teams!
(Originally from the July Newsletter)
Back to Basics
04 years ago
By Jenn Burgess, National Co-Captain
jenn@friendsofheroes.org
WDYDWYD?
Do you know the first basic key to fundraising success? I bet you’re aching to know so you can implement it at your next awareness or fundraising event or add it to your active.com page!
If I told you the answer, would you commit it to memory and never forget it? Would you share this wisdom with a friend or neighbor? Are you ready for the answer?
WHY???
Really, that’s the answer. WHY do you do what you do (or WDYDWYD)? The foundation of being a successful fundraiser is knowing why we’re raising money.
As Friends of Heroes, we have a Mission Statement (at the right) that establishes our purpose and reason for joining together. It sounds great and looks good on paper but, in your heart, why are you a part of Friends of Heroes?
Like many of you, I was deeply touched by Allie Scott’s story three summers ago. I’ve lost a family member to leukemia and have a friend with myeloma. Along my journey with FOH, I’ve met countless others who have been affected in some way. I carry these stories with me as inspiration to raise awareness, to find a cure and make a difference. Without these connections, it would be easy for me to lose interest in fundraising and to take our Mission Statement for granted.
If you’ve lost your passion, take time to reflect and to rekindle your fire. Fundraisers who believe in the cause with a passion in their hearts can convey the need for a cure with purpose and persuasion.
Basic #1: What is your personal motivation? Why is Friends of Heroes and Light The Night important to you? Be sure to check out our WYDWYD Photo Project.
What is holding you back?
The second basic key to fundraising success is to address your obstacles.
Is it a lack of time? We make time for the things that are important to us and find ways to get them done. Start early on your fundraising or make a plan and pace yourself to reach your fundraising goals before your walk.
Lack of ideas? This is where teamwork comes into play – we share ideas and resources! The team message board [http://friendsofheroes.proboards80.com] is the perfect place to bounce ideas off of other walkers and find inspiration and support. The monthly newsletter and website [http://www.friendsofheroes.org] also offer ideas and tools to help you.
Fear? Don’t be afraid to try something new or out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to send that second (or third) email blast to remind people about Light The Night. Go for it and see what opportunities open for you!
Complacency? This is only a state of mind. See Basic #1 above and search your heart for the answer. Reread a Caringbridge site that moves you. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and let their energy ignite your passion.
No local walkers? Work on small scale fundraisers like a yard sale or recycling ink jets for cash/LTN credits. Donate the proceeds from a Tupperware party (or something your friends will like). Start networking! This is a valuable personal skill to develop. The more people you talk to and meet, the greater chance you might find a new walker or LTN donor.
Let me tell you a little secret: I’m not a great fundraiser. My first LTN I raised $110. The second year I raised $100 and recruited people who raised over $300. Last year, I went after a corporate sponsor and our family raised $600.
Learning to raise money has been a growing process for me; I’ve had to work at it. At points along the journey, I have dealt with each of the issues above. Instead of giving up, I turned it into a personal challenge and focused my thoughts on the kids and families who will benefit from the patient services and cancer research. Every dollar counts!
Basic #2: By identifying the areas that need work or stop you from succeeding, you can create a plan to move forward or seek the help you need. To find activities that will help you fundraise and build your team, see the FOH Team Point Challenge!
The Power of One
One blue-eyed baby ignited our fire. One person shared the need for a cure with family and friends and it spread like wildfire as local LTN teams were formed. One national team joined in spirit to raise a phenomenal amount of money and support families through kind words. One million dollars – our ongoing fundraising goal.
As one team of individuals connected by the internet, we’ve shared ideas and combined our talent and resources to create a powerful synergy. Despite being separated by miles, we’ve offered each other moral support and encouragement. Who knew that our passionate efforts would result in three pediatric research grants named in our honor!
Can you imagine how much we would grow if we each secured one corporate sponsor, recruited one affiliate team, held one awareness day, got one paper balloon merchant, etc.??? Our combined efforts would add up quickly!
Basic #3: Teamwork is essential to reach our goal! Use the team message board to get involved, encourage your teammates and help build our high-performing team. Visit our team forum at http://friendsofheroes.proboards80.com/index.cgi
Basic #4: Don’t underestimate your abilities or reach in your local community even if you are a team of one. See article on Awareness Day Events on page# and Team Tidbits section to read what others are doing.
The Million Dollar Plan
This year, we are closer than ever to reaching the Million Dollar Goal! The fact that we are even close to a million dollars is amazing! You should all be proud to be a part of this unprecedented effort to find a cure for blood cancers!
To reach our stretch goal, we need 90 teams to raise $2000 or more. Breaking it down further, teams can achieve $2000 with 8 walkers raising $250 each or 10 walkers raising $200 each. (See “10 Ways to Reach $250”)
While this goal may sound challenging, we’ve achieved it in the last three years! As we go forward, this “formula” is the foundation for continuing to effectively raise our LTN monies and develop our team.
Basic #5: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” (Benjamin Franklin) By setting goals and planning to succeed, we will reach our goals!
THANK YOU for being part of Friends of Heroes. Each of you has a critical role as we continue to strive for our benchmarks. Your Team Leaders are here to help! Contact us anytime at teamleaders@friendsofheroes.org Together, we can do it!
