Favorite 3-Day Fundraising Crafts

March is National Craft Month, which makes it the perfect time to get creative with your fundraising game! Whether you consider yourself crafty or not, there are plenty of simple crafts you can try to help hit your next fundraising goal. We tapped our coaches, local teams and social media to find our favorite 3-Day fundraising crafts right now.

Hines Panthers

Appeal to peoples’ sweet tooth! Janice, the Captain of Hines Pink Pathers, starts with Oreo cookies, then decorates and packages them in seasonal fun! These little guys are all set for Easter but you can also make even simpler versions patterned after suns, smiley faces or flowers!

Coach Marianne loved when she saw “Pinking of You Care Packages” from some of her San Diego walkers. Send small packages – all in pink of course! – to let past donors you appreciate their support…and could use some more this year! Ideas to include: pink bead necklaces, a homemade bookmark and/or card, magnets or candies.

mitts for tits

Dawn from Team STRIDE has been flexing her knitting needles as she gets ready to walk in Seattle in 2018. Follow Dawn’s example, and ask your family and friends for their preferred colors or theme, then knit them some fun 3-Day mitts! These are perfect for the next few weeks of training walks while we wait for spring weather to really kick in!

Coach Liz has loved when her Dallas/Fort Worth walkers have decorated stones to make fun, pink 3-Day paper weights as a fundraising tool! She even plans on using this idea for her own fundraising for the San Diego 3-Day this year! She also loves to send decorated coasters as thank yous to her donors.

If you want a little variety, Beth from Michigan’s BC Babes does it all! She uses card making, makes chocolate covered pretzels and cookies and even created homemade candy for her fundraising efforts!

Our coaches also love Painting with a Twist, a nationwide business that offers fundraising opportunities at fun, artistic events. Participants in the Midwest have used this to great effect! If you find a location nearby, select a date and work with them to plan a class for your friends and family. A portion of the proceeds from the evening can go to your 3-Day team or personal goals!

What are some of your favorite fundraising crafts? Share with us!

Sidewalks to Science: Getting to know Dr. Carmen Bergom, M.D., Ph.D. at Medical College of Wisconsin

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Dedicating her life to finding a cure for breast cancer, Dr. Carmen Bergom is driven to help Komen meet our Bold Goal of reducing the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% by 2026. As a radiation oncology physician, she works closely with patients and patient advocates that inspire her to improve breast cancer outcomes through research and clinical care.

In this month’s Sidewalks to Science blog, we will get to know Dr. Bergom a little better.

When I’m not in the lab I…

Love to spend time with my husband and three wonderful daughters, ages 5 to 13
Enjoy spending time on the lake with my family
Love to ski

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What I do… study the tumor cell microenvironment to potentially enhance treatment options

My team studies the environment around the breast cancer tumor cell that influences growth, spread and treatment response. Better understanding these environmental factors could lead to improved targeted treatment options for patients.

Breast cancer is… personal to me, my friends and family

I have a family history of the disease and have witnessed too many loved ones be directly impacted by breast cancer. These experiences led me to become a radiation oncology physician scientist, specifically treating breast cancer patients as well as leading a breast cancer research lab.

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Working with patients… has helped shape my current research program

In my interactions with patients, I would see people who had the same stage, tumor markers and other predictive features, and then have vastly different outcomes from treatments. That’s what made me focus my work on recognizing these non-tumor differentiators, and this research that could lead to more personalized and effective treatments.

People with breast cancer should… ask for help when they need it

Friends, family, support groups and organizations like Komen are always there to help breast cancer patients in need. Using resources to assist with cancer-related challenges may reduce stress and anxiety in some patients, helping to ease an already challenging time.

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Komen is… helping the community

I have a special affinity for organizations like Komen that battle breast cancer on all fronts — advocacy, research, and community — all improving patient outcomes. In addition to participating in the Race for the Cure and local Affiliate fundraisers, I have also had the privilege of giving laboratory tours to patient advocates, helping them see our research at work.

“Like everyone touched by breast cancer, I believe improved outcomes for breast cancer patients cannot be achieved soon enough!”

Welcome Spring! 3-Day Fundraising Ideas

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Spring is here at last! The weather might not quite be reflecting it yet in some parts of the country, but we are more than a little excited about blooming flowers, sunshiny days and more walks outside. This change of season also allows for new fundraising opportunities, and we have them rounded up all in one spot. Get outside and make the most of the season!

Spring Cleaning Garage Sale

This one is a no brainer, and helps you in more ways than one! Spring cleaning your house, closet, kitchen and beyond will help de-clutter your life. This can also help de-clutter your emotions and even be a de-stressing technique. Throw away or donate what you need to, but save as much as you can, then hold a garage sale with the proceeds going to the 3-Day!

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April Fool’s Day

Lots of people play April Fool’s Day pranks – Why not take advantage of it? Partner with local comedians or radio hosts to set up a “you donate and we prank” fundraising movement. You can have them make prank calls or even prank “deliveries,” and ask your friends and family to donate for the right to send a prank on the funny holiday.

Spring Spa Day

Ask local salons, spas and hairdressers to donate products like lotion, nail polish, or scrubs and host a spa day at home! Ask for donations from your friends in exchange for “services” like scalp massages, manicures or hand scrubs. It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday with your friends.

Flower Delivery

Those florists and local gift shops you worked with to send Valentine’s Day flowers? Call them up again! See if they would be willing to donate any extra flowers at the end of each week, then you can make special deliveries to potential donors. Who could say “no” to a fundraising letter that comes with a bouquet?

Earth Day or Arbor Day Hike

Ask people to sponsor miles of a hike you will take in honor of the many Mother Nature-related holidays in April. Every mile you walk means more funding for the 3-Day! It will double as a good training walk, and could be used as a team building or recruitment exercise as well! Asking your friends to walk with you gives you plenty of time to tell them your 3-Day story…they might just join you!

Get Outside

Offer lawn care services and car washes,to people in your neighborhood in exchange for donations! You probably have all the materials you need right at home, so all it will cost is your time. It will also give you a great excuse to get outside!

What are your spring fundraising plans? Tell us in the comments!