Welcome/Intro:
- As of June 10, 114 walkers are registered for Challenge Walk MS 2014 (2 of the 114 are virtual walkers)
- There currently are 18 Super Crew members registered. (Super Crew members are dedicated volunteers who pay the registration fee, raise the $1,500 pledge minimum and receive all the same benefits as walkers. These volunteers assist with a variety of responsibilities throughout the Challenge Walk weekend.)
- There are 22 crew members who have registered. (Crew members are not required to pay the registration fee, but they are encouraged to fundraise. Overnight accommodations and meals are not included for crew members. However, those who raise $750 will receive Friday night lodging and participate in the Friday evening celebration dinner.)
- With the special Bring-a-Buddy offer, if you recruit a new walker or Super Crew member to join you at Challenge Walk MS, you’ll each receive an orange-a-licious spirit basket at check in. This basket will be packed full of fun items, you’ll be the envy of other participants AND have someone special with you to enjoy the weekend.
- Lastly, remember the $1,500 fundraising minimum must be submitted by August 29, 2014 with the final fundraising deadline being September 22, 2014.
Conference Call Host: Pam
Evason
- Pam is a 2nd year Challenge Walk veteran. Last year she walked with her mom and made many new friends throughout the weekend.
- Besides the impact that Challenge Walk had on Pam, she was able to make an impact within the MS Movement by raising $2,110.
- Pam fundraised by using the portal through her participant page, Facebook, e-mail and sharing her upcoming challenge that she was going to take on. She shared the importance of thanking donors no matter what the gift size. Pam personalized her thank you postcard by adding pictures from the weekend and writing each friend an individual message on the back. She shared that this was special for her friends and they thanked her for sending the postcard.
Sarah Hwang: Her story and
success
·
Sarah has done an outstanding job in terms of fundraising.
She is not a Challenge walker, but as of today she is the #1 fundraiser in the
state of Wisconsin for Walk MS 2014, raising more than $21,000 this year.
- Fundraising methods: Sarah never made a single phone call; she did all of her fundraising through Facebook, e-mail and just sharing her story. Sarah was persistent – she would reach out to each and every person in her contact list, whether she knew them closely or not, and if someone said they were going to give a gift then she followed up with them to ensure the gift was coming. She shared also that no gift is too small. She thanked her $100 donors just as much as her $5 donors.
- Sarah also used matching gifts through her husband and his employer. It’s always important to check with your employer if they will match any gifts along with the employers of your team members and your sponsors/donors.
- Sarah and her husband, Milt, conducted a very interesting DIY (Do It Yourself) fundraiser in advance of Walk MS. It was called “Fighting MS, Egg Roll Style.”
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Sarah took Milt’s talent of cooking amazing Chinese food and
put it to a great cause. Milt cooked all evening for guests, there was a cover
charge but the food and Milt’s time was donated by Sarah and Milt. With many in
attendance, they were able to raise over $2,500 that evening alone.
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They also had a silent auction that evening. The silent
auction item went for $600 alone. The item was an evening at Milt & Sarah’s
home with cooking instruction from the host himself.
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Lastly they had customized fortune cookies which all the
guests were very impressed with. They had messages like, “Walk MS is in your
future” and “We will find a cure.”
Open to discussion: Things
shared by others
- One of the hardest things is asking for money and getting a rejection. It’s key to use every contact whether you know them closely or not. Sarah shared that she received a donation from her son’s friend’s mother on their way to a game, also from her construction contractor. Never stop sharing your story – people do listen and want to support a great cause.
- The size of a gift doesn’t matter but remind others that their participation does. Engage them in the event.
- There are many other ways to raise money; some other examples of DIYS are listed below.- Host a yard game tournament at your house- Host a food night, create some unique dishes or use someone’s talent to cook and charge a cover for individuals as they enter.- Host a movie night, provide specialty popcorn and enjoy a relaxing evening with family and friends, again charge a cover at the door.
If you have questions or
want further information about Challenge Walk MS or the items covered during the conference call, feel free to contact: Nichole Shaffer at 262-369-4416 or Jamie Baker at 262-369-4435.
