3-Day July Fundraising Calendar

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July marks the one month countdown to our first 3-Days of 2017! That means it is the final weeks of fundraising for many of our 3-Dayers, and we have fun ideas you won’t want to miss.

There are lots of fun events and training workshops happening in July, and with the Michigan, Twin Cities and Philadelphia 3-Days coming up in August, it’s the perfect time to kick your fundraising and training into high gear.

June is National Picnic Month and Anti-Boredom Month, among others, and there are plenty of fun ways to use those holidays to your advantage:

In honor of Anti-Boredom Month, change up your fundraising efforts with a new project, updated letter format, or a fun new event! We have tons of fundraising ideas on our Pinterest page and website so you’ll never run out of inspiration.
You can also stave off boredom by taking longer training walks, fueled by our Spotify playlists!
In addition to being National Picnic Month, it’s also National Blueberry, Hot Dog and Ice Cream Months! Talk about delicious! Use this inspiration to host a backyard picnic with offerings like a Hot Dog Bar or Ice Cream Sundae Bar with lots of creative and tasty toppings. Ask for donations from friends, family and neighbors to attend, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your fundraising grows.

There are plenty of Walk & Talks, Get Trained Workshops and Training Kick-Offs happening this month. Some of these events are highlighted in the calendar above, but you can find the complete list on our website here. We will also be calling out more local events on our Facebook page, so keep an eye out.

In addition, make sure to follow the Facebook pages of your local coaches! They are great resources for fundraising ideas, training tips, and will also be promoting the events in their cities.

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Other key days this month include:

July 7: Chocolate Day: Celebrate Chocolate Day by reminding potential donors that it would be really “sweet” of them to help you in your fight against breast cancer with a donation to the 3-Day. You can also tell your donors to keep an eye out for dates to send you a Sweet Treat on the 3-Day! In the month of July, supporters will be able to send their 3-Dayers sweet treats to the Michigan 3-Day starting on July 10^th. Twin Cities Sweet Treats can be sent starting on July 20^th, and Philadelphia’s Sweet Treats can be sent starting on July 27^th.
July 21: Junk Food Day: Head to a dollar store or bulk buy retailer and stock up on lots of fun junk food! Then offer to deliver “snack packs” to people who donate a certain amount to your cause! You will see your fundraising numbers rise, and your donors will receive a tasty meal in return.
July 26: All or Nothing Day: We are all in to support you on your 3-Day cause! Schedule longer training walk on All or Nothing Day, then have friends and family sponsor your steps. It’s a great way to combine training and fundraising!
July 31: International Day of Friendship: Fundraise with a friend on this holiday! It will make your efforts more fun, and twice as profitable! Go canning together, ask for donations in each of your neighborhoods, or just block out time to write and send donor letters together.

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Also, make sure to join our 3-Day Social Stars! This is an easy-to-join group that’s part of our social media community, where you can earn prizes for interacting with the 3-Day on social media. Talk, connect, and share with us!

What 3-Days are you walking in this year, and what are your fundraising and training goals for July?

Flash Sale for 20-Mile Walker! Register for Only $20!

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After the Fourth of July holiday, we could all use a pick-me-up to add some excitement to the rest of our work week. Luckily for you, we have one!

Today only (Thursday, July 6, 2017), use the code 20FOR20 when you register as a 20-mile walker for the Michigan 3-Day, and your registration will only be $20!

Every action?big or small?makes a difference in our fight. So even if you can’t walk all 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, you can still make an impact as a 20-mile walker! Walk for one day, 20 miles and meet the people who are ending breast cancer. Use code 20FOR20 through 11:55 p.m. CT tonight at The3Day.org/20mile.

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This is the perfect opportunity for new walkers, or for those who can’t make the full 3-Day walk this year. Come and join our 3-Day family in 2017!

But you don’t have to take our word for it! Our Michigan coaches and the whole 3-Day team love our 20-mile walkers, too! Here’s why they want you to join us for this 1-day, 20-mile, amazing experience.

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“The 20-mile walker program can be just the beginning for you,” promises Gina Guerreso, Michigan Crew and Volunteer Coordinator. “The beginning of your own fabulous 3-Day journey, the beginning of taking part in the magic of this event. Every mile counts and makes a huge impact in our fight against breast cancer. I guarantee that once you experience the 3-Day, you’ll be back for more!”

Michigan 3-Day Coach Heather Snyder seconds that.

“This is the chance to get in on this inspiring event. A 20-mile walker can experience the 3-Day magic in a condensed manner, while still enjoying so many of its greatest moments. I equate the 20-mile option to a day at an amusement park. From start to finish, that is totally possible!”

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Philadelphia 3-Day Coach Tisho Jessop also sums it up perfectly.

“I’m a huge fan of the sampler platters of life (buffets, cruises, drink flights) so what I love about 20-mile walker is the ‘test drive’ nature of it. It’s the perfect opportunity to try out the 3-Day. First, you get to learn how to fundraise and train. Then you get just a taste of the support we have out on the route, the fun we have in camp, the emotions in our Closing Ceremony and most importantly you get to meet our amazing 3-Day participants. All in 24 hours! It’s an awesome way to dip your toe in and see how remarkable this event really is.”

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“The 20-mile walker option is great for many reasons. For people who work or have unavoidable commitments on Friday or Saturday, they have the freedom to join us on Sunday and experience the final stretch of the 60-mile journey amidst a very determined community of walkers,” says Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Coach Gayla Cruikshank.

“Some people don’t realize that they can walk 20 miles in one day. This feat gives their feet the chance to prove they can! Also, fundraising $750 for a one-day event isn’t as daunting as raising $2,300 for three days. Either way, telling your donors you’re walking 20 miles in a day, whether it’s for one day or three days in a row, will inspire them to give generously.

“Once you walk your first 20 miles, you’ll be HOOKED and ready to sign up for all three days.”

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Are you signed up as a 20-mile walker? Tell us in the comments!

And don’t forget to register today for the Michigan 3-Day as a 20-mile walker using code 20FOR20 through 11:55 p.m. CT tonight at The3Day.org/20mile. $20 for 20 miles, and you can make a world of difference in the fight against breast cancer.

Meet Dennis Kirkpatrick, 3-Day Route Safety Crew Member

Escorting last walker

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything was a miracle.”- Albert Einstein.

That quote lies below Dennis Kirkpatrick’s name as his email signature, and no quote could more perfectly sum up the impact he has made on the 3-Day. His official role is Route Safety Crew Member, but he also considers his job to be the “giving the walkers a ‘hard time’ person, hug giver and receiver.”

After greeting his wife at the finish line of her first 3-Day he knew he had to find a way to participate, too. He saw how much fun the crew was having together, all while keeping 3-Dayers safe and giving to a great cause. He decided to join the 3-Day as a crew member the next year.

Family time when Sandy and Carol were walking

The 3-Day is now a family affair as his wife continues to walk, and his daughter supports the walkers as well.

“I love to watch my wife figure out the route (before and during) the walk. I love working with my daughter taking care of the walkers while making them smile! We are working together for a cause which helps to bring us closer as a family.”

For those who are interested in joining the crew alongside Dennis and his family, Dennis says,

“If you like having fun and meeting very interesting people, come join us.

If you like to hear good stories of fun and encouragement, come join us.

If you like to hear about bravery and why supporting the 3-Day is so important, come join us.”

Dennis on his motorcycle heading to next stop

Dennis says he loves the combination of working with and seeing the same, familiar 3-Day faces each year, while also adding new faces to the walk! The 3-Day is “tiring, fun and inspiring,” but that’s what keeps him coming back year after year.

“It takes a lot of people behind the scenes to make big events work. We are a team that works together!”

Dennis and Sandy (Daughter) going for a ride