HAPPY RELAYERS

Of the many questions that are sent to us here at Charity Mile, one of the hottest topics is the challenge of raising money. It’s easy to understand that even when you’re pledging to take time out of a busy day to walk, run, bike, ping-pong or what-have-you for a worthy charitable cause, putting your hands out to everybody you know for donations can sometime feel a bit, well, awkward. (Even if you’ve carefully washed and sanitized those outstretched hands before making your rounds.)

This time of year, I’m almost tempted to respond to some fundraising queries by simply saying, “Talk to Jason Atkins” – because this guy is one of the most “extreme philathletes” I have ever encountered. Since his days in grad school, Atkins’ cause has been the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, with which he first became involved as a participant Soon after, he lent his hands (and feet) to Relay as a team organizer, and is now in his eighth year as a Relay for Life captain for his employer’s team (in Norwalk, Connecticut). To date Atkins’ team has raised nearly $150,000 for ACS.

I’m not aware of Atkins breaking any land-speed records on the local tracks during those eight years, but along the way he has managed to enlist hordes of coworkers, friends and family to contribute in some way to Relay for Life. One key to his team’s success has been hosting many often-unusual ancillary events that are fun, build camaraderie and of course raise money for a good cause. Charity Mile recently managed to get some time in with Atkins (who, in addition to working and Relaying, is an already busy dad) to learn more about his involvement with Relay.

Charity Mile: Why did you get involved in the first place?

Atkins: Back in grad school a friend of mine asked me to join her team. Her younger sister (who happened to be the same age as my youngest sister) had recently been diagnosed with a rare form of melanoma, so my friend was Relaying in honor of her sister. It sounded worthwhile enough, so I went. It was a 24-hour Relay, and there were only five of us on the team, so we took turns walking. Of course sometime that evening, it started pouring. The event was at a park, and the ‘track’ we were walking happened to be around a pond. Well, the pond starts overflowing, the track is flooded, we’re all drenched, so they end up sending everyone home around 2 a.m. We come back at 8 a.m. to walk the last couple of hours to finish up. So yeah, it was long, tiring, miserable, and painful – I loved it!

The next year, my high school (in Okemos, Michigan) was hosting its first-ever Relay. I was teaching at Kalamazoo College (also in Michigan) at the time, and organized a team of ‘K’ students to participate. We didn’t raise much money (college students and professors don’t have a lot of that), but we had fun. And it didn’t rain, which was nice – it snowed! There were literally icicles hanging off of our tents. I believe I got stuck with the 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. walking shift. I ended up jogging most of it just to stay warm.

Year after that I moved to Connecticut and started working for FactSet Research Systems. It’s a very active, collegial company, so I figured something like Relay would be a natural fit. This year was my eighth year running FactSet’s Relay For Life team!

Charity Mile: What keeps you going at it?

Atkins: At first, it was simply the event itself. Not having done anything like it, I enjoyed how a large, varied group of people can come together to support a good cause. And the Relay itself has some very inspirational moments. Every Relay begins with a Survivor Lap, where local cancer survivors walk the track while the rest of us line the way and applaud. At dusk is the Luminaria Ceremony: the track is lined with paper bags, each decorated and dedicated to a loved one either currently battling cancer, or one we’ve lost. Candles (or glow sticks, if the venue doesn’t allow flames) are lit in each bag, thus lighting the track for the rest of the night. There are also inspirational speeches by cancer survivors. Basically, I felt like I was doing something good, and I enjoyed it, so kept doing it.

Every year, though, I’ve added more and more reasons to Relay. About five years ago I became involved with Camp Rising Sun, a weeklong summer camp for kids in Connecticut who have been diagnosed with cancer. My campers are 120-ish of the neatest, strongest, coolest, funnest (yes, that’s totally a word!) kids around. I can’t imagine what they’ve been through, and I take pride in being able to help give them one carefree week every year. And of course the campers inspire me to keep Relaying so other kids don’t have to go through what they’ve gone through.

During my time with CRS, we’ve lost four campers to cancer. It breaks my heart that kids whom I’ve played with, laughed with, hung out with in August can be gone just a few months later. They are definitely in my thoughts while walking the track at Relay.

This year it got even more personal. Back in February, my father-in-law was diagnosed with lymphoma. He started treatments several weeks ago, and will continue with treatments through the summer. He’ll then need to spend a month or so in the hospital for a stem cell transplant. The overall prognosis is good, and he should be good to go after all of that, but it’s still going to be tough few months for everyone.
Charity Mile: Fundraising is not an easy thing. A lot of people would probably love to know how you’ve been so successful.

Atkins: My first few years were pretty pitiful – I raised maybe a few hundred bucks. Once I got to FactSet (and started working with people with actual jobs!), fundraising got a lot easier. The first couple of years at FactSet we didn’t do much by way of organized fundraising – we would email friends, family, and coworkers and ask them to donate. FactSet itself chipped in a few bucks, and we probably raised about $5,000 each of the first couple of years, then maybe $10,000 the third year.

But yes, it isn’t always easy to get people excited about donating money, so we decided to up the ante. The following year, we got the company’s CFO, as well as one of the more recognizable higher-ups (the guy’s about 6-10!) to agree to shave their heads if we reached certain fundraising milestones. And since I couldn’t ask them to do something I wasn’t willing to do, I put my hair on the line as well. We set lofty goals: $15,000 for my hair, $20,000 for the next person, then $25,000 for the CFO. To my surprise, and with a little help from various other executives at FactSet, we hit the $25,000 mark, and we soon had three bald heads around the office.

That became the bulk of our fundraising: coming up with silly things for executives to do if we raise enough money. The next year was a karaoke fundraiser, followed by a dunk tank. Last year we bought some banana costumes and made them run a little obstacle course. This year we’re putting on a “FactSet Feud” game show, which will hopefully be somewhat entertaining.

We also do various events to help with fundraising. We’ve put on a comedy show each of the last five years, with the generous help of a local improv group called World Class Indifference. We’ve gotten local bars to help us host happy hours where we sell bracelets good for drinks and appetizers and then split the proceeds with the bar. Bake sales at the office are also quite popular. We did a jewelry party for a couple of years, with the help of a teammate’s mother’s jewelry designer friend. None of them break the bank individually, but at $500-1000 each, they really add up.

Having a good, solid team helps, too. I’ve had a handful of people that have been involved in all or most of the FactSet teams over the years, and there are always new people coming in to replace those who are stepping back.

Charity Mile: How much time do you spend with Relay-related activities?

Atkins: Relay takes up a decent chunk of my time. In addition to helping run Team FactSet, I’m also on the planning committee for the event itself. I’ve been the “online chair” for the last few years, which basically means I’m responsible for our event’s website and handling participants’ questions about it (and there are many). All told, probably one to three hours a week starting in November, ramping up to 5-10 hours a week in the last weeks before the event.

Charity Mile: What advice do you have for other people trying to succeed with these types of fundraising efforts?

Atkins: Have fun! Asking people to donate money – even to a good cause – isn’t all that fun. We’ve found that people are more willing to donate -or at least pay attention – if there are fun things attached to it.

- Jo

“Keep running, keep going, keep giving.”

With the current state of the economy it is no surprise that the ability to donate to charity organizations is changing for many people. Regular participants and donators are being forced to either limit participation in events or the amount they give to the causes they believe in.

Last month a Boston Globe article reported about some negative changes in charity fundraising through athletic events. Highlighted was the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, a two-day bike trip across the state for charity which takes place this year on August 1st.

 According to organizers registration is down 10%. The planning committee has turned to promoting shorter routes that allow for lower fundraising totals to draw in those who can’t commit to the full $4200 for participation.

Organizations hosting charity fitness events are searching for ways to keep total donations up and promote growth. Many are taking action to raise their number of participants knowing that each person is probably going donate less. Less money from more people is one way to meet fundraising goals.

Despite challenges, positive news is still being reported and many are taking an optimistic view of the situation. The Run, Walk, Ride Fundraising Council conducts an annual survey among managers of well-known athletic fundraising events. This information is used to compile the Run, Walk, Ride 30 – the top 30 athletic event fundraising programs. The survey also gathers information on strategies and trends among event organizers.

Their annual report shows that in 2008 the top 30 “athon” programs had a 7.6% increase in dollars raised to total $1.76 billion in gross revenue for charity. The top five programs included the Relay for Life, Team in Training, March for Babies, Race for the Cure and Breast Cancer 3-day.

This diverse group of events which topped the list can only be seen as a positive from the perspective of fundraising and participant numbers. The group includes everything from a short walk to endurance events. A wide variety of events such as this will help to draw novice exercisers as well as trained athletes. More participants mean more fundraising dollars.

Although there are worries about the ability to repeat similar fundraising growth in 2009, the survey showed that managers are implementing strategies to succeed. The top two of these strategies includes increasing corporate team recruitment and providing participants with tools to raise more funds. By focusing on the challenge from this perspective hopes are high that successful fundraising and growth will continue this year and beyond.

Do you organize charity fitness events or participate in them? How has the economy affected your efforts and what is your outlook for this year?

Photo by ronnieb, morgueFile.com

ALS 5K Run/Walk & 1K Kids Race

• What: This is the first ALS athletic fundraising event to take place in Southern Utah. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is sometimes called “Lou Gehrig’s disease” after the famous baseball player who battled it with such courage.
• When: Saturday, March 28, 2009, 8 AM
• Where: Highland Park, 1250 N Highland Parkway, Washington City, Utah
• Cost: $15 until 3/8/09; $20 after 3/8/09 (t-shirt guaranteed only to those who register by 3/8/09). Only $2 for 1K Kids Race (untimed; every child receives a prize).
• Notes: Geared toward the whole family, the event will include a “cow train ride” for kids and live music. (If anyone has actually seen a cow train ride, please describe it to us!)

American Cancer Society Relay for Life

• What: The American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event.
• When: Friday, April 17, 2009, 6 PM – Saturday, April 18, 2009, 10 AM
• Where: Southern Utah University Coliseum, 100 South 1150 West, Cedar City, Utah
• Cost: TBA
• Notes: I’ve participated in Relay for Life before, but with a much larger team. I have a lot of work to do to prepare for this event!

Walk MS 2009

• What: Approximately 3-mile walk to raise money to support programs and services for those with multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as research to find a cure.
• When: Saturday, April 25, 2009, time TBA
• Where: West Canyon Park, 400 East 200 South, Cedar City, Utah
• Cost: No entry fee.
• Notes: I’ve walked the Coal Creek Trail, which will serve as the walk route for this event. It’s a beautiful place for a spring charity walk!

Southern Utah Memory Walk

• What: Annual 1-mile walk to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and funds for the Southern Utah Alzheimer’s Association’s programs and services.
• When: Saturday, November 14, 2009; Registration 8 AM, Walk 9 AM
• Where: SunRiver Community Center, 1860 West Horizon View Drive, St. George, Utah
• Cost: $25 suggested donation
• Notes: This will be my ninth straight year participating in the Southern Utah Memory Walk. It holds a special place in my heart.

I’m still waiting for details on whether the American Diabetes Association will hold a walk in Southern Utah and for information about the local HIV/AIDS Task Force’s walk-a-thon. But I feel good about the schedule I’ve developed so far, and I look forward to bringing you firsthand reports on these events. I’d love to hear what others have planned for 2009, so post a comment to this blog and share your events with the community!

Happy New Year, everyone.

This quote from Pat Winter, the honorary chair of the Plymouth County, IA Relay, gives us the voice of the survivors who are honored during the luminaria ceremony:

“After my cancer surgery, I realized my past is not my future,” Winter said. “I appreciated every card and letter I received during my recovery.”

“I feel each day is a treasure. Enjoy your time with family and friends,” said Winter, who is a two-time breast cancer survivor. “For me, there is no such day as a bad hair day,” she said. “Let’s keep fighting.” Winter’s first diagnosis was in December 2000, the second in 2006.

Here are some links to other great relays held last weekend:

Ellis County, TX Relay raised $135,000

Randolph County, IN held a cross-dressing Miss Relay fundraiser during its event

Becca walked the survivor’s lap at the Whitley County, IN Relay For Life

Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, Canada

Kearney, NE has a great video of their relay

Allen County, KS moved its event from August to June with great success

Caledonia County, VT raised $215,000 this year!

Devils Lake, ND relay’ers spirits not dampened by rain

Team registrations were up more than 49 percent this year, as increased community support from residents and local businesses led the fundraising efforts to jump more than 23 percent over last year’s record performance.

Source: Brentwood Press

Like many Relay for Life events all across the country, fundraising drives before the night of relay, campsites and a spirit of team work played into their success. For cancer survivors and families, the luminaria ceremony was of central importance. Besides raising funds for cancer research, the event serves as a way to honor people who have struggled with the disease and a healing process for everyone touched by cancer.

Photo Booth  Offer mementos from the Relay Night. You could create unusual backgrounds, wooden backgrounds with head cutouts or photos with the stars and have look a likes and costumed characters in attendance at certain times. Borrow a digital camera and printer from one of your group members. You can offer photo buttons using supplies such as Badge-a-Minit.

Small Biz Connection – Do you know small business owners or distributors in your area? Partner with your local reps for companies like Tupperware and Creative Memories.

AVON consultant Shannon Copeland recently held a booth at her local relay.

I was there to pass out fliers, business cards, brochures, dvd’s and sell raffle tickets. We have to give all proceeds to the American Cancer Society that night. I make good contacts everywhere I go, so it was worth it! There were booths from lots of other groups too.

Food Booths – The type of booth that most groups immediately think of is food booths. Sell BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, funnel cakes or anything people would like. Choose just a few items and specialize. For example your group could specialize in hot dogs and sausage dogs and offer just about every topping you can think of.

Glow Booth  Let relayers shine! Glow in the dark sticks and wearables are very popular with kids and adults alike. Offer glow bracelets, necklaces in a variety of colors. Just enter the word glow in the search box on Oriental Trading Companyand you’ll find lots of glow stuff.

There’s lots of other fun stuff that you could offer at your relay booth. Always find out what other groups are doing so you don’t end up selling the same things! Usually team captains have meetings where they can share this information. If not call your ACS office and I bet they would be glad to help!

Perhaps you are looking for some creative ideas for the luminarias. Relays often also have HOPE signs, sometimes painted and other times illuminated.

You can find some great luminaria and HOPE sign ideas at Relay.org.

Photo courtesy of Relay Blogger.

Relay has grown to an international level with events taking place all over the world to benefit other cancer related charities.

International Relay for Life

Australia – The Cancer Council Australia

Canada – Canadian Cancer Society

New Zealand – Cancer Society of New Zealand

United Kingdom – Cancer Research UK

United States – American Cancer Society

One of the cool things in the packet was a small business card size tent card. It has tips on how to raise funds for ACS relay team.

How to Raise $100 in 10 Days:

• Put in your own $10
• Ask your spouse/roommate for $10
• Ask a co-worker for $10
• Two friends for $10
• Ask a relative for $10
• Ask a neighbor for $10
• Ask two people from church for $10
• Even your hairdresser, for a final $10

Find out more about Relay for Life

The potty fundraiser is unusual, fun and really excites interest among those participating. It’s also great because it takes place over an extended period of time (not just one day) and is easy to plan and particpate in.

By far the most unusual Fundraiser we have done to date is our Relay For Life Potty. We took a regular bathroon toilet and painted it in Relay For Life Colors – Purple – with a little bit of added pink (for Breast Cancer). We also painted ribbons on it in a lighter purple color, got a garden knome and put him on the potty.

We then took requests from people to have the potty placed in someones yard. The cost to place the potty was $10. The cost to have the potty removed from your yard was $10 – and you could forward it to someone else for an additional $5. We also offered “Potty Insurance” that could be purchased for $5.

We actually had a waiting list for this potty and before it was over we had 3 potty’s floating around our County. We first started delivering the Potty after dark – but we had to stop that when we had the cops called on us. After that we figured out that about 2pm was the best time to move and place the potty as most people are at work.

We had alot of fun with this fundraiser – we kept the potty going for a 1 month period and raised closed to $800.