Summer Fundraising: 5 Ways to Incorporate Fundraising into Your Favorite Summer Activities

Summertime is all about fun in the sun and spending time with friends and family. With the 3-Day around the corner and the Pink Bubble ready to unite, you don’t have to choose between fundraising and enjoying the sunniest time of year. Keep reading for a few ways to incorporate fundraising into your favorite summer activities.

Fire up the BBQ

With grilling season in high gear, you and your supporters can flip some burgers for a good cause. Add a tip jar at your next BBQ to benefit you on your way to the 3-Day and ask your donors and family to do the same at their own gatherings. Want to kick it up a notch? Host a pie or hot dog eating contest and collect donations in contestants’ names. The winner can take home a prize and the donations go toward your fundraising efforts. Talk about a win-win!

Throw a Block Party

Turn your fundraising into the talk of the town by hosting a block party in your neighborhood. Whether you’re already best friends or you’ve never met, a block party is a great way to bring the whole community together to enjoy some summer fun. Send out a community invite asking everyone to contribute to the event with food, music, and activities and be sure to include a short blurb about your reason for walking the 3-Day. Encourage donations both in your invite and during the party so you can facilitate community bonding and fundraising at the same time!

Join a Farmer’s Market

Do you have a knack for gardening? What about a love for baking? Are you obsessed with crafting? Whatever you’re into making, you can contact your local farmer’s market to set up a booth and sell goods for a cause. Don’t have a green thumb or a creative streak? Connect with a local vendor and ask to volunteer your time in exchange for a tip jar or a portion of the proceeds to benefit your fundraising efforts.

Host a Pool Party

Pool days are one of the best parts of summer! Don’t have a pool in your backyard? Not a problem! Head over to your local public pool and ask if you can host a pool party with them to raise money for the 3-Day. Reach out to local vendors to donate food, drinks, and music, and invite everyone you can think of (within capacity, of course). Charge an entry fee to all attendees and accept additional donations at the door. Talk about the ultimate pool day!

Plan a Golf (or Mini Golf) Tournament

Team up with your favorite golf course to host 9 holes for hope. Share your story with the community, spread the word at country clubs, courses, and anywhere else you can think of. Charge an entry fee and announce a prize for the player with the best score. Step closer and closer to your fundraising goals, one swing at a time! All in all, whatever your favorite summer activity may be, your opportunities to fundraise are endless! Get creative and enjoy your summer. Happy fundraising!

The People You’ll Meet on the 3-Day

The 3-Day is an extraordinary event that brings together people from all walks of life, united by a common purpose: to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer. Whether it’s your first 3-Day or 50th, there are six people you’re guaranteed to encounter on your journey!

The 3-Day Mom

There’s always a seasoned participant affectionately known as the “3-Day Mom.” With a wealth of experience, this remarkable individual has participated in more 3-Day events than you can count and serves as a guiding light for newcomers. The 3-Day Mom takes you under their wing, sharing their wisdom and knowledge. They eagerly provide you with essential tips and tricks, ensuring your fanny pack is stocked with everything you might need before you head on the route. More than just a walking buddy, they invite you to sit at their table, eat with them and they make sure to introduce you to every member on their team!

The Marvelous Medical Crew Member

When your tired and aching body yearns for relief, the Marvelous Medical Crew Member appears as a beacon. With a genuine smile and compassionate demeanor, they greet you with open arms. These dedicated professionals are always there, ready to address any medical issue that may arise during your 60-mile journey. From blister care to hydration strategies, they possess an almost magical ability to offer solutions that keep you going. Their unwavering commitment to your well-being gives you the confidence to persevere, knowing that you’re in safe hands.

The Courageous Walker Battling Breast Cancer

Among the walkers, you’ll encounter a true hero, the Courageous Walker Battling Breast Cancer. This individual epitomizes our well-known 3-Day phrase, “Walking 60 miles is hard, but not as hard as breast cancer.” Despite facing their own personal fight, they exude kindness, encouragement, and an undeniable spirit of resilience. With every step they take, they defy the challenges that breast cancer presents. Their grace and positive attitude are a tribute to the strength of the human spirit. Their presence serves as a reminder that together, we can overcome any obstacle and create a world without breast cancer.

The Vibrant Youth Corps Member

The Youth Corps members infuse the event with their boundless energy and unwavering enthusiasm. With their infectious smiles and positive attitudes, they provide a refreshing presence that uplifts the spirits of participants. Whether it’s offering words of encouragement, cheering on weary walkers, or lending a helping hand, their supportive presence creates a sense of camaraderie and motivation that propels everyone forward!

The Newbie Walker

Dressed in vibrant attire that pays tribute to their loved ones battling breast cancer or honors those they have lost, the wide-eyed Newbie Walker is a symbol of hope and strength. They jump full-force into the spirit of the event, embracing every challenge with unwavering determination. These phenomenal folks are often found at the front of the line, eager to embark on each day’s route. Their newfound commitment to the cause inspires others to push beyond their limits, to keep going, and to never give up. They are the future of the 3-Day, a living testament to the power of solidarity and the impact a single person can make with every step they take.

The Crew Captain with Endless Energy

Behind the scenes, ensuring every aspect of the 3-Day event runs smoothly, is the Crew Captain that has an infinite amount of energy. This extraordinary event pro possesses an unbreakable spirit that radiates throughout the weekend. They rise before the sun, fueled by passion and dedication, and stay at camp until the last walker heads to bed. Their tireless efforts ensure that the event is a perfect experience for all participants. With days jam-packed with event logistics, they pour their heart and soul into creating an atmosphere that nurtures and uplifts all walkers!

Have you met any of these people on event? Share with us!

Elevate Your Training Regimen with These Sizzling Summer Tips!

Well, it’s official: summer is here! While we know that enjoying ice cream on a boardwalk, or taking in a beautiful sunset from the front porch are wonderful seasonal hallmarks, prepping for the 3-Day can be a year-round undertaking. Now that the frost has given way to sunshine, it’s probably time to trade in those thermal leggings for shorts, and winter hats for sunglasses. While the routine may be similar to the training from this past winter and spring, the distances are longer and, chances are, your resolve greater. Still, fighting through snow flurries and icy climates can be very different than taking on the sweltering heat or a muggy atmosphere. Not to worry! Read on to learn more about getting the most out of your training this summer.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Our bodies are made of approximately 60% water so, generally, making sure we’re providing our brains, muscles, etc. with enough H?O is critical. This grows even more important once someone is engaging in strenuous physical activity, like gearing up for a 3-day, 60-mile endurance walk. And once you factor in an energy-draining sun? Well, let’s just say that water will be your best friend. (Here’s a tip: if you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already dehydrated!) Whether it’s before, during, or after you’ve been out on the road, do a self-check as needed to provide your body with those necessary fluids.

Dress your best. Now that you’ve thawed out a bit from the chill of the previous months and gotten through the spring rhythm, your wardrobe has probably already undergone at least one or two separate overhauls. Well, now it’s time for one more. It doesn’t matter if it’s bamboo fiber, spandex, nylon, etc., the goal is to provide your skin with performance-enhancing fabrics. That means dressing in cooling, breathable, and sweat-resistant/moisture-wicking clothing that will combat the scorching summer sun. You know yourself better than anyone, so trust the items that make you feel most comfortable and effective as you get your miles in.

Don’t forget, summer training walks are a great time to purchase your new set of sneakers before you head to the 3-Day. You don’t want to come to the 3-Day with brand new sneakers, so now is the time to find the perfect pair and start wearing them in. Rack up a few miles to test them out, avoid blisters and get ready for 60 miles.

Tip: Check out these blogs to help you pack your fanny pack for training walks and event weekend! Here and here.

A win for skin. Though many of us might enjoy the training bonus benefit of tanning with each step, protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays is a must. Whether you opt for a chemical sunscreen over mineral sunscreen, a gel base over a spray, or SPF of your choosing, doing the proper research to become educated on your specific skincare needs is the smartest course of action. (That means using sunscreen even on cloudy days. Just because you can’t see the sun, that doesn’t mean the sun can’t see you!) Even better for your skin, check out our next tip.

Stride at sunset. Although it’s wise to plan your winter training calendar to soak up as much warmth as possible, the opposite is true during the summer. If you can, rethink your schedule to limit your exposure to the sun. Relegating yourself to the earlier mornings or late afternoons/evenings will not only help benefit your skin’s health, but also cause less stress to your internal thermometer by keeping you cooler. Checking the forecast on a regular basis will allow you to be aware of sunrise and sunset, thereby letting you know when things like the temperature or humidity will probably be at their peaks. Additionally, where you walk can make just as much of a difference as when you walk. Trading in blacktops and hot city sidewalks for tree-covered trails or waterfronts can also shield you from some of the harsher elements.

The points above can be summarized with one word: grace. As the mileage expands and the air grows hotter, continuing to push yourself while also making sure that your well-being remains your top priority is essential. That means being extra mindful of factors like Code RED weather warnings, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. Sometimes practicing self-care requires stopping to grab some water, investing in quality athletic apparel, shielding your skin from the sun, or reworking your schedule to avoid walking outside during times that are less than ideal. Training is an opportunity to work both your physical and mental muscles, but in a safe way. Listen to your body and make sure you’re being smart and strategic as you continue prepping for 3-Day season.

Have you got any tips of your own to share? Feel free to do so in the comments below. Happy walking!

*Health, safety and training tips in this blog should not be considered medical advice. Consult with your physician for any medical needs you may have.*