Newsletter Articles
The Power of You
Aug 9th
Often times, especially this time of year, I pay close attention to the amount of time and energy I spend on Friends of Heroes. I spend many hours a week on my local and national duties and sometimes I get lost in the tasks and have to remind myself of the importance of our mission, which is the children and their families.
Me, too.
-written by National Co-Captain Beth F.
Back to Basics – Fundraising Success for Light The Night
Aug 9th
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 (to the left) 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 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/
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 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!
- Written by Co-Captain Jenn B.
(Originally from the July Newsletter)
The Power of You
Aug 9th
Often times, especially this time of year, I pay close attention to the amount of time and energy I spend on Friends of Heroes. I spend many hours a week on my local and national duties and sometimes I get lost in the tasks and have to remind myself of the importance of our mission, which is the children and their families.
Me, too.
-written by National Co-Captain Beth F.
FOH Light The Night Point Challenge!
Jul 25th
Are you up for The Challenge?
In last year’s walker survey, you asked for more help to develop your local teams. So, in response, we created a Team Point Challenge to support ways you can increase your local fundraising, recruiting and awareness activities!
By completing these tasks, each team will accrue points while boosting your team’s visibility and reaching out to potential walkers, sponsors and donors.
Team captains can keep a running total in a designated thread on the FOH message board and will be recognized in each newsletter. The final tally will be at the end of November with a prize for the team with the most points!
If you are ready to take your fundraising to the next level, don’t miss this challenge!
Points confirmed when walkers and/or donation totals appear in the active.com system. Stay tuned as more point categories may be added.
|
Point Criteria: |
Point value: |
|
Achieve MVP club: Local Team raises $2000+ |
15 |
|
Your recruited affiliate team raises $2000+ |
15 |
|
Get local PR (print, radio, tv) |
10 |
|
Recruit an affiliate team |
10 |
|
Recruit and register 5 fundraising walkers (Points count once they have raised $100 each) |
10 |
|
Sign up a business to sell paper balloons |
10 |
|
|
8 |
|
Receive a business sponsorship |
8 |
|
Participate in team conference call (retroactive) |
5 |
|
Attend your local LTN kick-off |
5 |
|
Hold awareness day or fundraiser |
5 |
|
Recruit a walker who raises $100 |
5 |
|
Post a local Craigs List ad (or MothersClick, VolunteerMatch) |
5 |
|
Raise $100 (points for each $100 raised) |
5 |
|
Submit a written Team Tidbit from your event |
5 each |
|
Forward the FOH newsletter to someone new (counts once per month) |
2 |
|
Join a FOH social network and invite your friends |
2 |
|
Post a FOH blinkie/ad on your blog or website |
2 |
|
“WYDWYD” photo project |
1 each |
|
Submit event photos to Team Tidbits |
1 each |
Team Captain Challenge – 10 Ways to Raise $250
Jul 25th
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)
July Team Tidbits for Friends of Heroes
Jul 25th
FOH Team Message Board Update
We’ve had 89 members register on the FOH Team Message Board this month. In the last 30 days, we’ve had 23,828 page loads from 5,679 unique visitors. If you haven’t joined yet, come meet us there and start posting! http://friendsofheroes.proboards80.com/
Fundraising and Corporate Sponsorships for Light The Night
Submitted by Beck
Fund raising does not have to be a chore….REALLY! It can be a lot of fun. I always get “Beck is at it again!” from my whole family. My almost four year old is taking after her mama, she likes to help me raise money to help her two best friends who have A.L.L. feel better. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has become a part of our family.
For fund raising I try to think of fun ways to earn money and not “over do it”. Three years ago, I hosted a “Mother and Daughter Prom”. We charged $25 for each couple and we got our local kids gym to donate a few hours. We also got pizza and pastries donated as well.
This year, I am working on getting corporate sponsorships. Three years ago, I would have run away at the word corporate, but really, it is easier then I thought. A great place to start is your local WalMart stores. Each store has their own budget and can choose on how to spend it. If you are planning an awareness day this year at WalMart, ask if they will match you dollar for dollar. They will almost always say yes, UP TO $500. Letters asking for the match must be submitted 8 weeks ahead of time.
Another great way to get the sponsorship is to go to the “mom and papa” stores in your area. Ask for smaller amounts. Offer to add them to your banner, or put their logo on your active.com page.
If you plan on taking the step to large companies, do it soon. Most of them get many requests for donations. You may even consider asking them to donate in 2008. Most of them will not do a rushed donation, however, once you get your foot in the door, you are more likely to get it from there in the future, even it is not this year.
If they do turn you down for this year, be sure to send a thank you letter stating something similar to “Thank you very much for your consideration this year. I would love for your company to be a part of our team next year, so please add us to you next years budget agenda.” Then a few weeks later, send off the 2008 proposal.
I have a great feeling about 2007 and I know that it is going to be worth every second of fund raising! My one bit of advice is, PLEASE DON’T FEEL DISCOURAGED, every dollar made is a dollar closer to the cure. Don’t be scared to ask for help. If it was not for this team, I doubt that I would be at where I am today.
Kathie, FOH Team Captain in St. Louis MO, has been busy! Over the winter ‘hiatus’, her son and his school had a balloon selling competition. For eight days in December, the elementary students sold balloons during the mornings and at lunch and raised $550! Great job!
This summer, she’s still busy, but with her annual fundraising event. She writes, “We’re having our 2nd annual BBQ fundraiser on July 14th. I did A LOT of letter writing to local business and we now have lots of baskets to raffle off that include lots of things such as hotel night stays, $50.00 gift certificates to some nice restaurants, Six Flags, year membership to the Science Center, baseball game tickets, and much much more. Cross your fingers more people come than last year.”
Sounds exciting, Kathie! We’re crossing our fingers and look forward to hearing how it goes!
(Originally from the July Newsletter)
