Interact 5170

Walk to the Future, Silicon Valley

Saturday May ??, 2016 - 10am - 11am
Penetencia Creek Park, San Jose, 3050 Berryessa Rd, San Jose, CA 95132
In Conjuction with San Jose F.O.A.M. Festival Festival of Arts & Musique

FUNDRAISING HINTS

To be the largest, most effective, and most recognized Interact fundraising walk in the Interact world. To raise US$100,000 for Room to Read, the May ??, 2016 walk will make records.

Saturday May ??, 2016 for Walk for Our Local Youth Walk 2016 Penetencia Creek Park, San Jose, California.

This Year, Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk is encouraging walkers to "champions" the fight for youth causes and raise pledges online. Walkers in similar events have raised literally millions of dollars using online pledging. You can raise big money too. 100% of proceeds go to Walk for Our Local Youth.

Never raised money before? Believe us, it's a LOT easier to raise pledges than you think! The secret is to ASK. Ask, ask, ASK. Ask everybody you know, and you will be surprised how generous people will be to the cause. Remember, you are not asking for money for yourself, you are asking for money to help Walk for Our Local Youth work with at risk youth, enhance educational opportunities, improve health, give families emotional support and links to resources, you name it.

So get out there and contact everybody you know to pledge in your name. Read on for ways to do it...

Research shows that the number one reason people do not donate is that no one ever asked them! Whether you are an individual fundraiser or are fundraising with a team, the goal is to reach out to as many people as possible and to remember you are not doing this alone. Thousands of women, men, and children will contribute to Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk this year. The bigger the network, the more money we'll raise.

Below are some great fundraising tips to get you started in spreading your personal passion for Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk

Fundraising Tips for Individuals <Top>

Never raised money before? It's actually probably easier than you think. Here's how.

First step: Sign Up online to Register to Walk at
http://www.regathon.com/walkforyouth/walker-registration.htm

Email your Friends and Family
Send emails to everyone you know (see samples below). You might be surprised as donations start rolling in.

Make a List and Check It Twice
Make a list of potential donors. Include everyone you know. Start by sponsoring yourself on your walk paper and by making a donation to yourself online. Your gift will set the tone for others to give. (You can print a walk paper from this Web site).

One a Day
Ask one person each day to make a contribution. If you get four $25 gifts, you will have raised $100 in less than a week. Don’t be afraid to ask for larger gifts. Youth causes affect everyone, and most people are happy to donate. Ask people if they would like to donate in the name of a friend or loved one, perhaps a relative who has received scholarships to go to college, or perhaps someone who has been a victim of violence, or perhaps a young person who has battled illness.

Double Your Money
Many employers offer matching funds programs. Your $50 donation could turn into $100. Inquire with your personnel/HR department and remind your supporters about matching gifts.

The Mighty e-Pen
Send an email to friends, family, and co-workers asking for their support. Let them know if you are paddling in honor of someone. Explain why the cause is important to you; heartfelt messages get the best response. Don’t forget to send a thank you note to people who donate.

Talk It Up
Ask for a few minutes on the agenda of any meetings you will be attending. Explain why you are walking and ask for everyone’s support. If you are dedicating your efforts to someone you know. Tell their story.

Offer Food
Offer healthy treats to your friends, family and co-workers for a small gift to your cause through Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk. The best way to most people's wallet is through their stomach.

Clean House
Clean out your garage or home and set up a Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk donation booth in exchange for your finds. Ask your friends and neighbors to donate their stuff to you, explaining that all proceeds go to your cause.

Celebrate
If a birthday or holiday is coming up, tell your family and friends that in lieu of a gift, you would like them to make a donation to your cause through Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk.

Pin It Up
Post your walk paper on the bulletin board at church or temple, in the office, at the gym, or at school. Make sure to highlight your name, phone number, email address, and team Web page address.

Send the Message
Change the recording on your voicemail or answering machine to mention Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk and how callers can make a donation. Then, when you call people back, ask them to sponsor you. When emailing friends, add a “PS” asking for their support.

Fundraising Tips for Teams <Top>

Walking as a team? Team-based pledgeraising can be very effective by using the power of the team to promote your walk. Here's how:

Challenge Each Other

Hold weekly challenges within a company that has two or more teams. Drive your fundraising effort through healthy competition.

Go Casual
Dress down for a cause. Arrange for your office or school to allow people to dress casual in support of Walk for Our Local Youth's Wal by giving a dollar or two or even five.

Reduce Stress
Find a masseuse through a health club, training school, or chiropractor’s office. Have them come to your business and provide five or 10-minute neck and shoulder massages for a gift of $10. Have employees sign up beforehand, and the masseuse will come right into their office.

Give Ribbons
Give out ribbons for a gift of $1 or more. Employees can take home a ribbon in honor of a friend or loved one. Create your own wall to list the names of these people.

Give Rewards
Ask your boss to offer an extra vacation day to the team member who raises the most money. If your team is the highest fundraising team within the company, see if everyone on the team can have a day off.

Give Prizes
Get some great prizes donated to your team. Try gift certificates at a restaurant or spa. Then auction them off to the highest bidders.

Honor Loved Ones
Create quilt squares in honor of, or in memory of people. Accept varying donations for different sizes: a 4” square for $5, an 8” square for $15, and a 12” square for $25. Display the quilt in the lobby at work, school, health club, or place of worship. If you can’t use fabric, try something else like card stock.

How to raise $1,500 in just six weeks: <Top>

Think it can't be done? Think again. Hundreds of thousands of walkers all over the U.S. raise that much every year for innumerable causes. You can do it too!!! Here's how.

Week 1:

Take the first step: Sponsor yourself for $25.
Send out at least 25 emails to friends and family (ask for a minimum donation of $20) = $500.
(Note: the AVERAGE pledge in most similar events is $40. $20 is do-able by just about everybody.)

Week 2:

Follow up on your fundraising letters and emails.
Ask four additional family members (minimum donation of $25 each) = $100.
Ask five friends to sponsor you (minimum donation of $25 each) = $125.
Ask three co-workers to sponsor you (minimum of $25 each) = $75.
Check with your company's human resource department to see if they offer matching gifts.

Week 3:

Ask three additional co-workers to sponsor you (minimum donation of $25 each) = $75.
Plan a fundraising party with at least 25 people (e.g. 50% of split cover charge of $20 for a happy hour) = $250.

Week 4:

Ask eight neighbors to sponsor you (minimum donation of $10 each) = $80

Week 5:

Ask your boss for a company contribution = $100

Week 6:

Ask three businesses you frequent for a donation (e.g. doctor, dentist, dry cleaners, etc., $50 each) = $150

VOILA! $1500 YOU CAN DO IT!

Sample Emails <Top>
Here is one sample of emails that work. More are coming soon. Got a great one of your own to share with us? Send it to walkforyouth@regathon.com

Here is a sample email written by a walker for The Firehouse Community Development Corportation

Hi Friends and Family,
I hope this finds you all well and having a great 2011!

I have been working with a great non-profit organization called The Firehouse Community Development Corporation (FCDC), which provides many benefits to our local community. The Firehouses vision is to become a network of multi-cultural resource centers located in underserved communities that helps to break the cycles of poverty and violence affecting youth and their families. Over the past three years we have served over 1400 unduplicated youth with exemplary results. They also serve families and friends of youth involved in the gang lifestyle

Part of the work I'm doing with The FCD is to participate in the 1st annual benefit walk called "Walk for our Local Youth" on May ??, 2016. The event is raising money which will go directly back into our Santa Clara County community to continue our work with at risk youth in our mission to help them become productive members of our society.

The Walk for Local Youth is a collaborative effort <FOUNDATION> and dozens of schools and education nonprofits to build one of the biggest, most successful collaborative Bay Area fundraisers in the name of the youth we all mutually serve.

The course will be through Penetencia Creek Park, along the waterfront, and back to my starting point to raise money for the cause. I am excited about this awesome opportunity to join 2000+ walkers and give back to our community!

I am sending this to you to see if you can support me by entering a pledge - any amount is incredibly helpful and greatly appreciated. As well as to invite you to be a part of my team in this great event and recruit walkers/pledgers for The Firehouse Community Development Corporation.

If you are interested in joining my team or signing up for this walk please feel free to do so at:

http://www.regathon.com/walkforyouth/walker-registration.htm

Or if you would like to submit a pledge and support me :-)

Please go to: http://www.regathon.com/walkforyouth/sponsor.htm

Thank you, in advance, for your generous support. Together we will make a difference.
Warmly,
Angel Garza

Here is another email used by another walker.

Hola Friends and Family,

I hope this finds you all well and having a great 2011!

I have been working with a great non-profit organization called <your nonprofit goes here> which provides unrivaled educational and outreach services to provide <services go here> with young people.

Part of the work I'm doing with Walk for Our Local Youth is to participate in the first annual benefit walk called "Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk" on May ??, 2016. The event is raising money to raise awareness about youth causes. The course will be in Penetencia Creek Park, along the waterfront, and back to my starting point to raise money for the cause. I am excited about this awesome opportunity to join thousands of walkers and give back to the community!

I am sending this to you to see if you can support me by entering a pledge - any amount is incredibly helpful and greatly appreciated. If you can't - that's okay, I understand - your moral support is welcome also!

Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk is a collaborative effort to enhance awareness and education about several causes, diseases and challenges that each of us face.

Walk for Our Local Youth is fighting an important battle for an important cause. I want to raise as much as I can to help the environment through "Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk". If you can, please go to the following link, select me as your walker to sponsor, and make a pledge.

http://www.regathon.com/walkforyouth/sponsor.htm

Even a couple of collars would help, whatever you can spare . . .

Also, would you mind spreading the word to your friends & family & coworkers etc. by forwarding this e-mail! If even 500 people pledged $20, that would be an amazing gesture of support for individuals in need.

Also, if you can join us in Penetencia Creek Park, come on out and cheer me on, on May ??, 2016. Here are the directions:

http://www.regathon.com/walkforyouth/faq.htm

Thank you, in advance, for your generous support. Together we will make a difference.

Warmly, Paula Martinez

When someone made a pledge to Paula, she sends a thank you email to her walk sponsor.

Dear <pledger>

THANK YOU for making a pledge to my walk in the 7th annual Walk for Our Local Youth Walk on Saturday May ??, 2016. 1000+ walkers are expected to walk with me from 9am-10am along the amazing Penetencia Creek Park waterfront. We expect to see egrets and blue heron and all manner of birds as we walk. Local residents are going to be lining the walk route and cheering us on as we raise money for a very important cause. Please consider joining us and cheering us at 9am Saturday morning! I would love to give you a high five and a hug as I walk past you.

ALSO, please join me at the big F.O.A.M. Festival of Arts and Musique after the walk in the spectacular Penetencia Creek Park from 11am-6pm. The 7 hour festival runs from 10am-4pm, and features free kayak rides, Farmers Market, Gardner Mobile Health Clinic Van, a big raffle, FREE BBQ and tons of other fun.

Directions here: http://www.regathon.com/walkforyouth/faq.htm

So thanks again for the awesome pledge! Hugs for helping me help the kids!

Warmly, Paula Martinez

Another letter from another participant who is raising money for pediatric cancer

Hi Friends,

On Saturday May ??, 2016 I will be walking in the 7th annual benefit "Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk" to raise money to battle childhood cancer. 100% of proceeds from pledges I raise go directly to Walk for Our Local Youth. The course will be along scenic Penetencia Creek Park, along the waterfront, and back to my starting point to raise money for the cause. I am excited about walking in this new event to raise money for the cause!

I am asking everyone support me by entering a pledge!

My goal is to set a fund-raising record of $1000 before I hit the starting gate on May ??, 2016. Since this is my first time walking, I am setting my fundraising goal high.

Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk is a collaborative effort to enhance awareness and education about several causes, diseases and challenges each of us face.

Walk for Our Local Youth is fighting an important battle for an important cause. I want to raise as much as I can for the cause through "Walk for Our Local Youth's Walk". Please go to the following link asap, select me as your walker to sponsor, and make a pledge. Even a couple of dollars would help, whatever you can spare.

http://www.regathon.com/walkforyouth/sponsor.htm

Also, would you mind spreading the word to your friends & family & coworkers etc. by forwarding this email! If only 500 people pledged $20, I would hit my goal and show an amazing gesture of support for individuals in need. Also, if you can join us in Penetencia Creek Park, come on out and cheer me on, May ??, 2016.

ALSO, please join me at the big Health Fair after the walk in the spectacular Penetencia Creek Park. The 4-hour Health Fair runs from 10am-2pm, and features free kayak rides, Farmers Market, Gardner Mobile Health Clinic Van, a big raffle 100+ hands on exhibits, and tons of other fun!!!
Here are the directions:

http://www.regathon.com/walkforyouth/faq.htm

Thank you, in advance, for your generous support. Together we will eventually put an end to pediatric cancer once and for all!

Sincerely,

Paula Martinez

Here's another. This one is short and sweet and gets VERY specific about precisely where the money will be used.

Hi Fred

On September 17th 2011, Walk for our youth is providing non-profit organizations to raise money for their cause. I have signed up to walk for the Painter Eagles/Weather Foxes to raise money for three things:

1. Lego Robotics – We will need funding for this program to be incorporated and will be open to all Painter 5th graders.

2. Project Astro – An Astronomy program that will be implemented in my classroom this coming school year. With this program students will provide a family/community night and will be showcasing their knowledge on Astronomy

3. Last but not least Science Camp.

Please join me in walking 3 miles for the benefit of our children. If you can’t walk you can always pledge.

For more information or to sign up: http://www.regathon.com/walkforyouth/ make sure you sign up under Painter Eagles or you can pledge under my name.

Thank You
Cyndi

Do you have a great letter or email that works for you? Share it with us so that we can share it with your fellow walkers. Have questions? Contact us at: walkforyouth@regathon.com

So we look forward to seeing you at the Walk for Our Local Youth Walk in spectacular Penetencia Creek Park California, on Saturday May ??, 2016. Walk registration opens at 9:00am. The walk kicks off at 10am - 11am. We walk along the awe inspiring Penetencia Creek Park, through a throng of residents cheering us on, back to the Marina for the fun-filled F.O.A.M. Festival from 11am-6pm

See you Saturday, May ??, 2016! <Top>