3 Day?

[SarahMB]

Is anyone else here considering doing the Breast Cancer 3 Day? I almost did it last year, but couldn't figure out how to raise the $2000 sponsorship funds required. You know, I'm sure I could do it if I put my mind to it, but it's just so daunting!

[SarahMB]

No one else is thinking about doing this??
So does anyone have any findraising experience? I could use some ideas! I think, if I get enough pledged, I'm going to go ahead and start training.

[JLC]

I'd like to do that sometime. And I can say from experience that raising the money is at least as daunting as the training. I trained for a 110 mile bike ride for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with TNT...and had to raise $1500. (Of that bike ride, I did the 67 mile course...not the full 110...but still a huge accomplishment for a chunky old housewife who hadn't been on a bicycle in about a decade!)


The first thing you can do is start a letter writing campaign. And write to EVERYONE you know...everyone from your best friends and relatives to your dentist and his staff and the guy who did your plumbing last year.

Have a garage/yard sale and invite neighbors to donate stuff.

See if the business you work for would be willing to do a corporate sponsorship.

Check with local restaurants to see if they'll do a fundraiser night for you...typically a percentage of a given night's tabs are donated.

Those are just some basic ideas....I've got TONS of fundraising thoughts I could help ya with if you want.

I'm gonna have to look into this event more closely....looks like it could be an adventure of a lifetime...just like my bike ride was! DEFintely worth the little bit of personal discomfort that comes from asking people for money!

[SarahMB]

Those are some great ideas, Judy! Thanks!

I own the company I work for, and I figure we can kick in about $300 of our yearly donation fund.

My extended family actually puts out a monthly newsletter, so you've given me the idea that I could write up a paragraph for that, it goes out to over 400 people! I wouldn't expect too much from that, though, as I'm somewhat of a black sheep, not being a Christian Republican....shocking, I know :eek:

I know I should check with other businesses that I frequent, but I also know that many of the larger ones designate their donation funds at a certain time each year, and an application must be submitted by a certain date. I've spent a lot of time doing fundraising for charitable causes, it just seems so much scarier when it's for a personal sponsorship. I guess I should quit looking at it that way, since it is also goes to a charity.

I'm always up for more suggestions!

[JLC]

Oh the newsletter sounds like a great idea. Even if you have a somewhat different philosophical perspective from much of your family....not all us Christian Republicans are deaf to a good cause just because someone's views don't line up exactly with our own.


My personal experience with getting help from businesses is that big corps usually dole out all their charity money in January...but many locally owned businesses and franchises have a lot more freedom in choosing how and when to support local charities...especially when its an individual doing the fundraising.

Some other ideas:

BBQ/Auction.....get local grocers to donate all the food and paper plates and such, and other retailers to donate items for the auction. Have everyone pay a small fee to attend and find a fun, outgoing person to MC the Auction. Two fundraisers in one.

Raffle....Find either a bunch of small donations such as dinner coupons, movie tickets, etc and make a basket of them to raffle off...or a single bigger donation like an iPod or other cool gadget. Talk to your gym or other businesses you frequent about allowing you to put up a little raffle station where people can buy tickets.

[tigerlily]

My stepmother and family particpated in the one located in Washington DC. They loved it, and are planning on doing it again this year. I know my stepmother was able to raise almost $3000. I'll ask her how she went about it.

I believe my sister in law had an event at a local bar as well.

[SarahMB]

Judy, I know you are right, I really need to quit selling people short without even trying. I'll get started writing that paragraph up tomorrow!
I *really* like that raffle idea, I might just get the gears in motion for that as well.
I think most of my problem here is that I'm not good at organizing events, but I'm an awesome foot soldier.

Christie, I LOVE that bar idea....now there's something I could swing, lol. I would definitely appreciate it if you do ask your stepmother what all she did. Whoo, I wish I were doing the DC walk, that's my idea of heaven!

[cassandra]

I had friends who did that in LA a couple of years ago...I know they trained A LOT...if you do it, be sure to let us know, we'll help sponsor you. =)

[SarahMB]

What did your friends think of the experience? It seems life-changing to me! I really want to do it.

I'd be the coolest chick there with a bunch of reptile logos on my shirt, lol!