Resource fairs put sponsors in direct contact with potential customers. As part of our sponsorship structure, we offered a table at the resource fair to any business that donated at the $500 level or higher. This gave sponsors the chance to display information about their products and services and meet potential customers face-to-face (I should note that sponsors did not actually sell products or services during the event). This benefit was often more enticing to sponsors than having their logo on our promotional materials because of the direct contact with a targeted population.

Resource fairs give participants something to do after they register. Have you ever arrived early at a charity event, only to zip through registration and then have nothing to do for the next 30-60 minutes until the event begins? We found that the resource fair was most crowded during the registration period because people liked to browse the tables while waiting for the walk to start.

Resource fairs draw people to your event who might not have otherwise attended. If you advertise the resource fair alongside the charity event, you could attract people who come specifically for the resource fair but end up participating in the event and/or donating to your cause. At Memory Walk, most of the sponsors were long-term care facilities, home health care agencies, hospice agencies, and other organizations that provided services to older families. Some of the sponsors offered free blood pressure checks or similar services, and all of them provided valuable materials about health and healthcare issues. This was a huge draw for retirees, many of whom ended up joining us for the walk even though that wasn’t their original reason for coming.

Resource fairs educate the community about your cause. Don’t forget to set up your own table with materials that raise awareness about your cause and offer additional ways to get involved in the organization year-round. I recruited many new volunteers this way, which helped make the following year all the more successful.

I highly recommend adding a resource fair to your event if you don’t already offer one. I’d also love to hear your ideas about organizing resource fairs, including what’s worked well for you. Post a comment to this blog, or start a new discussion in the forum.

What: CAMA Coalition’s 4^th Annual Teen Bike Rally to help teens resist and/or recover from methamphetamine abuse. CAMA Teens – a part of the CAMA Coalition – is a drug awareness and prevention teen group promoting enjoyable, healthy, drug free events at local high schools.

When: Saturday, June 6, 2009; Registration 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM; Expert 70 mile ride starts at 7 AM; 40, 25, and 7 mile routes start at 7:30 AM.

Where: Twin Lakes Park, 945 North Ardmore Avenue, Paris, Illinois; each route begins and ends at Twin Lakes Park.

Cost: Riders under 18 – $15; Adults – $25; Families – $50

Other: All skill levels and ages are welcome; children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required. Lunch will follow the rally.

For more information: Call 217-465-4110 ext. 267 or 217-264-1478, email camateens@camacoalition.org or visit the CAMA Coalition’s 4^th Annual Teen Bike Rally Website.

Have you participated in a CAMA Coalition athletic charity event and/or are you familiar with this nonprofit organization and its accomplishments? Post a comment to this blog and tell us about your experiences. It always helps to hear from those who have already participated in an organization’s annual event to learn more about what to expect in future years.

What: Pathways Center 5K Run/Walkathon to raise funds to provide much needed services to children with motor, sensory, feeding/swallowing, and communication difficulties.

When: Saturday, June 6, 2009; 5K Run – Registration and Check-In 7 AM – 7:45 AM, Run 8 AM; Walkathon – Registration and Check-In 8:15 AM – 9 AM, Walk 9:15 AM; Family Fest 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Where: Pathways Center, 2591 Compass Road, Glenview, Illinois; the run/walkathon begins and ends at Pathways Center, while the course traverses through Gallery Park and around Lake Glenview.

Cost: $30 Registration Fee; Children 3 and Under – Free

Other: The 5K is a USATF certified 5K run.  The Family Fest will include light refreshments, games for children, entertainment by Catch This! Jugglers, and a demonstration of adaptive equipment by the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association.

For more information: Visit the Pathways Center 5K Run/Walkathon and Family Fest website or contact Sarah Kerndt at 847-510-5654, skerndt@pathwayscenter.org, or Barb Morin at 847-510-5633, bmorin@pathwayscenter.org

Have you participated in a Pathways Center athletic charity event and/or are you familiar with this nonprofit organization and its accomplishments? Post a comment to this blog and tell us about your experiences. It always helps to hear from those who have already participated in an annual event to learn more about what to expect in future years.

$3,200 supports a Girls On The Run program for 16 girls at one site
$1,000 trains 20 volunteer coaches
$225 pays for one girl to participate in Girls On The Run for one season

For those  not able to donate at these levels, more options are available:

$100 pays for curriculum, game pieces and supplies at one site
$25 buys water bottles for all the girls in one Girls On The Run program

Here are the details for this fun event:

What: Girls On The Run – Chicago Spring 5K to raise money to support programs to enhance girls’ physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being.

When: Saturday, June 6, 2009, 7 AM Registration, 9 AM Race, 9:30 AM Post-Race Celebration

Where: Montrose Harbor, 4400 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois

Cost: Adults — $26 in advance, $30 on race day; Youth — $15 in advance, $20 on race day; Girls On The Run program participants – Free; last day of online registration is June 4, 2009.

Other: Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes will have a photo booth for participants and teams; post-race celebration includes food, interactive sponsor booths, music, games, giveaways, face painting, tiara decorating, and more.

For more information: Visit the Girls On The Run – Chicago 5K Website or call 1-877-228-4881, Option 2, then Option 3

Have you participated in a Girls On The Run event or do you have a success story to share about the organization? Post a comment to this blog and share your experiences with us.

Since my educational background is in psychology, this event touches my heartstrings. The purpose of the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk is to raise awareness for suicide, depression, and other mood disorders. Not only is this a unique cause, but the event is an 18-mile overnight walk that starts at dusk and ends at dawn. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hopes to mobilize thousands of people to highlight the urgency to end the stigma surrounding mental illness and to recognize and treat mood disorders before it is too late. Here are the details of this very worthy cause:

What: Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk to raise awareness for suicide, depression, and other mood disorders

When: The event starts at dusk on Saturday, June 27, 2009 and ends at dawn on Sunday, June 28, 2009.

Where: The event starts and ends at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois.

Cost: $50 for regular registration; $35 for full-time high school or college students

Other: The event includes an opening ceremony, a midnight meal, closing ceremony, and plenty of reflection on those lost to suicide and those who can still be saved.

Have you participated in an Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience. I had not heard of this event and think it sounds fantastic. Post a comment to this blog and tell us about it.

According to its website, Climate Cycle is a non-profit organization “working to reduce global warming and empower our youth to become leaders in an emerging green economy.” This is the organization’s first bike-a-thon and it would be great to see a lot of participation. Here are the details for this unique event:

What: Climate Cycle: The Ride will traverse Chicago’s southern lakefront. Riders have a choice of three scenic courses: a 22-mile course, a 12-mile course, and a 4-mile course for kids.

When: Saturday, May 9, 2009, Registration 7:30 AM, Ride 9 AM

Where: 1410 Museum Campus Drive; all courses start and end at the Great Lawn next to Soldier Field.

Cost: A $20 registration fee is required; adult riders are asked to raise a minimum of $200; college students are asked to raise a minimum of $140; children under 18 are asked to raise a minimum of $60. All participants will receive lunch, snacks, a goody bag, and t-shirt.

Other: Parking will be available at the Field Museum’s East Lot with alternative parking at Soldier Field’s North Lot. Bobby’s Bike Hike is offering discount bike rentals for the event. There will be a post-ride celebration including musical entertainment, several green exhibits, and kids’ activities. NBC 5’s Ginger Zee will be the emcee.

What do you think of this green athletic charity event? Post a comment and share your thoughts. I am impressed by the scope of the event considering that this is the inaugural Climate Cycle Ride. Although I cannot attend, I wish Climate Cycle a huge success!

Easter Seals is holding a special event this Saturday to benefit its children’s programs in the DuPage and Fox Valley regions around Chicago. The local organization has been helping families since 1952 and wants to raise funds to continue their speech-language, physical, nutrition, occupational, respiratory, vision, neonatal, developmental, audiology, autism, and assistive technology programs. Here are the details for this event:

What: Easter Seals 6^th Annual Run for the Kids to benefit children with disabilities whose families are unable to pay for therapy and related services. All abilities and skill levels are welcome to participate in this 5K race.

When: Saturday, May 9, 2009, Registration 7:30 – 8:45 AM, Race 9 AM

Where: Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, 830 South Addison Avenue, Villa Park, Illinois

Cost: Although there is no entrance fee, each participant is encouraged to raise $100 or more.

Other: Trophies, a DJ, a silent auction, clown entertainment, face painting, and refreshments are all part of this fun family event.

For more information: Easter Seals 6^th Annual Run for the Kids or 630-282-2029

Have you participated in an Easter Seals athletic charity event or have you received services through Easter Seals? Tell us your story so others can learn about this event and the important programs that are supported through the funds raised at Annual Runs for Kids. Post a comment to this blog, or start a new discussion in the forum about these types of events.

Six years later, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition was founded to raise awareness of ovarian cancer through its chapter network and to provide education, support and hope for women with ovarian cancer, their families, and their caregivers in communities across the country.

According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, among women age 35-74, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death, and approximately 1 out of every 58 women will develop ovarian cancer in her lifetime.

The Illinois Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition has worked hard to help women and families across Chicagoland and beyond through support groups and other resources. On Saturday, May 2, 2009, the chapter will hold its 12^th annual “Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer” 3-mile walk. Last year, the Illinois Chapter raised over $235,000 and had over 130 survivors of ovarian cancer participate. Here are the details for this year’s event:

What: 12^th Annual “Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer” 3-Mile Walk

When: Saturday, May 2, 2009, 9 AM

Where: Chicago Park District Grove 13, North Lakeshore Dr. & Wellington, Chicago

Cost: Adults – $30; Children 12 and under – $15; Children in strollers – Free

Other: All participants who pay the registration fee will receive a walk t-shirt and goody bag. Other activities include a survivor tent, a group photo of survivors, a health fair, food, and beverages.

For More Information: National Ovarian Cancer Coalition – Illinois Chapter, 630-769-1664, il.nocc@ovarian.org

If you have participated in a walk to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer, please tell us about it! And thank you for walking for such an important cause. Post a comment to this blog, or start a new discussion in the forum.

I spotted one this morning that looked like a great cause: the 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism, organized by the organization Autism Speaks and taking place on Saturday, May 16, at Soldier Field.

According to Autism Speaks, approximately 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism, including 1 in every 94 boys, and a new autism case is diagnosed every 20 minutes. Autism has no cure and affects countless children and families.

Funds raised at the 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism will support autism research, awareness, advocacy, and family services for those affected by autism; the event is also designed to bring hope to everyone affected by this condition. Here are the details of this great event:

What: The 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism is a 5K (3.1 mile) walk.

When: Saturday, May 16, 2009, Registration @ 8 AM, Walk @ 10 AM

Where: Soldier Field, 1410 South Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60605

Cost: There is no minimum entrance fee, but those who raise at least $100 will receive a 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism t-shirt. Interestingly, other higher dollar incentives have been suspended due to the community’s interest in using more dollars for direct services than for event costs.

Other: In addition to the 5K walk, the 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism will feature children’s activities, a resource fair, entertainment, and light refreshments.

For more information: www.walknowforautism.org/chicago

Have you participated in a Walk Now for Autism event and/or do you know a family affected by autism? Share your thoughts about this event by posting a comment to this blog. I hope to participate in the 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism as one of the many athletic charity events I will attend in the Windy City in the months and years to come!

Photo (c) Microsoft

First of all, I want to apologize to all the great members of Charity Mile for not posting in awhile. The last few weeks have been extremely busy as I made a cross-country move from Southern Utah to the Chicago area. Add to that some significant challenges getting hooked up to the Internet again and it made it difficult to keep up with my Charity Mile responsibilities. But I’m back in the swing of things now and it is great to be back!

Second of all, I want to wax nostalgic for just a bit about my experiences with athletic charity events in Southern Utah. I initially participated in, and later coordinated, the Southern Utah Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, and then later expanded my participation to events for the American Diabetes Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, and Southern Utah HIV/AIDS Task Force. These were wonderful experiences where I met some amazing people who continue to work hard to raise money for important resources and services in their communities.

That being said, I am ecstatic to be in Chicago. This is where I grew up, and it was time for me to come home. Part of this journey has involved developing new goals and aspirations, including some related to athletic charity events. In the past, my activity has been limited to charity walks of various lengths. As I pursue new beginnings here in Chicago, I’ve decided to start training for 5K and 10K charity runs. As you can imagine, opportunities for participation in athletic charity events abound in the Chicago region! I haven’t begun to pick and choose which events to participate in this year, and this is where you come in.

Are you a Chicago native or are you familiar with athletic charity events in Chicagoland? If so, which events are your favorites? What are your tips for getting involved in running events in the Chicago area? And, even if you are not familiar with Chicago but you’ve had to find events in a new area after relocating, what tips do you have for getting started? Post a comment to this blog and share your ideas with us. I look forward to sharing new experiences with you as I get settled in Chicago!