Tag Archives: coaches

Fundraising Strategy: Mark Your Calendars!

Susan G. Komen 3-Day® coach Eileen is our guest blogger today, and she’s here to share some great ideas about how to use the year’s calendar to inspire and invigorate your Komen 3-Day fundraising!

susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walk blog 60 miles coach eileen fundraising

Coach Eileen

Every good 3-Day® fundraising plan has a start date and a goal date. Once you’ve got those two big dates marked on your calendar, highlight the best times to ask for donations.

Your birthday is a perfect day to reach out to your friends and family to request donations (who’s going to say no to you on your birthday?). You can ask for a donation in lieu of presents or use your birthday to launch a fun Facebook challenge: see how many of your Facebook Friends will become your “Birthday Buddy” by donating to your fundraising. If you’re feeling brave, share your age and ask for donations in that amount, because a donation request is more effective when you ask for a specific amount.

One great day to focus your fundraising around is April 15th. This is a date that many of us reorganize our finances and do some preliminary tax planning for the upcoming year. What better time to ask for a donation than right before the tax deadline, when tax returns are still fresh on the minds of your donors? Remind them that their donations to the 3-Day are 100% tax deductible.

May is another good month for a fundraising push. Is there a better way to honor and remember our moms than with a donation to support breast cancer research on Mother’s Day? Remind donors that each donation helps bring us closer to a cure and to a world without breast cancer. Doesn’t that beat another house plant?susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walk blog 60 miles calendar fundraising

One of the best times of the year to ask for donations is from mid-November through December. There are a number of reasons for this. First, it is the time of year when we feel most generous as we contemplate our personal blessings. The holiday season inspires us to help those less fortunate than us. And of course, there’s that tax thing; December 31st is the biggest donation day of the year, and it is also the last day a donation can be made for a tax deduction. Coincidence? I think not. Although we’ve just passed this season a few months ago, keep this in mind for next year’s 3-Day fundraising.

There are ample fundraising opportunities to be found in each and every month. Use your calendar to look ahead to upcoming holidays/events and use those to help plan a fundraiser.

For example:

  • January – Super Bowl Party (ok- technically this is in February, but you will need to start planning in January)
  • February – Valentine’s Day gift basket sales
  • March – March Madness Brackets
  • April – Easter egg hunt
  • May – Kentucky Derby party
  • June – Car wash
  • July – Fourth of July BBQ
  • August – Back to school garage sale
  • September – Chili cook off
  • October- Halloween/costume party
  • November – Turkey Trot
  • December – Christmas center piece sales

As you can see, your calendar can be a helpful fundraising tool. Choosing a date to start your fundraising, and setting smaller goals along the way, then setting in motion the plans needed to execute your strategy will help ensure that you are successful.

Equally important is choosing a fundraising completion date. This will give you a goal to strive for and will help keep your fundraising front and central. Coach’s tip: choose a fundraising goal date six to eight weeks before your event. This will allow for a little extra time should you need it (no reason for undue stress!).

Of course, if you would like some advice with your fundraising or need an assist setting up a fundraising plan, be sure to give your coach a call at 800-996-3DAY. We’ve been in your shoes before, fundraising for the 3-Day as walkers or crew members, and we’re always happy to help!

Thanks, Eileen! And remember, the Participant Center on the 3-Day website is chock full of fundraising tools and resources, too!

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Meet the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Coaches!

Every Susan G. Komen 3-Day® event has a core team of three coaches, each of whom plays a different role in helping our walkers and crew members prepare for the Komen 3-Day. For months, these dedicated staffers have been having personal conversations with walkers to help them with their training and fundraising, have hosted dozens of local events to bring participants together and build a community of encouragement, and have organized and inspired the amazing team of crew captains and crew members.

Let’s meet the coaches for the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day®!

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The Dallas/Fort Worth team: Liz, Val, Gayla

 

Gayla Cruikshank – Dallas/Fort Worth Local Events Coach

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Gayla sporting some 3-Day attitude

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “Recruit walkers and inspire them to reach their fundraising/ training goals.”

We’re about a week from the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “After picking up a bucket of camp mail from the post office every single day (yes, a bucket a day!), I help walkers with final donation issues, such as missing donations or checking on matching gifts. Emails are firing back and forth quickly confirming Cheering Squads and route cues, confirming Private Cheering Station locations, Camp Angel assignments, Camp Show entertainers, and 3-Day Lounge treats that are being donated by local bakeries (don’t forget to stop by the Lounge Friday night before they’re all gone). I have cried a few tears recently with participants when I called to congratulate them for being chosen to carry a Survivor or Honor Flag at the Opening and Closing Ceremony. Since Dallas is the home of Susan G. Komen® Headquarters, I’ve been creating a list of VIPs who will be out on the route walking with and cheering on the walkers.”
What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) I won 2nd place in a Demolition Derby in the Freemont County Fair in Riverton Wyoming; 2) I was the 1986 Senior Class President of Lewisville High School, home of the Fighting Farmers; 3) I had my first job when I was in 4th grade: a paper route on my horse.”

 

Liz Parks – Dallas/Fort Worth Participant Coach

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Liz having fun on her new toy!

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “Inspire participants and answer questions on all things 3-Day related.”

We’re about a week from the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “Very busy! Lots of calls and emails with last-minute questions about fundraising, what to expect on the event, or online check-in. I really love hearing everyone’s stories and calming a first-time walker’s nerves. I have connected with so many wonderful people and I cannot wait to meet them all in person.”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) I am extremely clumsy and have broken all my fingers and toes at one time or another, some more than once; 2) I was in the Army and had planned to be a Drill Sargent; 3) I have lived and traveled overseas.”

 

Val Jones – Dallas/Fort Worth Crew & Volunteer Coordinatorsusan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog dallas fort worth coaches val

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “Distributor of information, logistics, and encouragement to crew members.”

We’re about a week from the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “Crazy busy! I spend the majority of my days and nights answering emails, loving on my kitties (who sleep on my desk), and making sure that the amazing Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Crew Captains have all the information they need to help our walkers, crew members, staff and community members have a great event. When I’m done with all that my kitties usually demand more chin scratches before I can get some sleep!”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “Friends know I’m amazingly quirky to begin with but things most people don’t know about me include: 1) I am addicted to shopping! I LOVE bags (wallets, purses, totes, etc.) and I even have an app on my iPad that has catalogs on it. I have to start my day looking at Zulily and Hautelook and end my day browsing through digital versions of catalogs. 2) I adore cartoons for young kids. My TV is often tuned to Disney Junior. 3) Handwritten letters are one of my favorite things. I collect pretty stationery and try to write at least one letter a week to brighten someone’s day since (in my humble opinion) there is nothing better than receiving a letter in the mail. At one time I had over 10 different international pen pals.”

 

Going to be at the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day? Come meet coaches Gayla and Liz at two special meet-and-greets, on Friday and Saturday in camp, 6-7 p.m., in the 3-Day Lounge.

Meet the Atlanta 3-Day Coaches!

Every Susan G. Komen 3-Day® event has a core team of three coaches, each of whom plays a different role in helping our walkers and crew members prepare for the Komen 3-Day. For months, these dedicated staffers have been having personal conversations with walkers to help them with their training and fundraising, have hosted dozens of local events to bring participants together and build a community of encouragement, and have organized and inspired the amazing team of crew captains and crew members.

Let’s meet the coaches for the Atlanta 3-Day®!

Tara Preyers – Atlanta Local Events Coach

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Tara and her (literally) sparkling personality!

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “Living my passion through inspiration, fanny packs and boas!”

We’re a couple weeks from the Atlanta event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “It’s a bit of a mumbo-jumbo. I’m working on all things to paint the route pink and with hugs, high fives and treats. Spending lots of time finalizing all of the little pieces that I’ve been working on all year long. Making “to-do” list after “to-do” list and crossing things off with excitement. I also travel to all of the 3-Day events, so I’ve been busy. Oh, and decorating for my favorite season…FALL!”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) I jumped out of a plane at 13,000 feet; 2) I have a serious bag obsession (purses, duffels, reusable, you name it, I need lots of them!); 3) I could eat peanut butter for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

 

Susan Wynne – Atlanta Participant Coach

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Photo booth fun with Susan and family

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “I help our incredible participants do great things!”

We’re a couple weeks from the Atlanta event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “Super busy! As the event gets closer, we’re working on last minute donations, helping participants get checked in, and lots of event-related questions. I get to talk to people about what they have done to get to this point, and hear the stories about what brought them to the 3-Day. I have loved getting to know our participants through all of our phone and email interactions over the last few months, and I can’t wait to see everyone in person in a couple of weeks!”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “I’m pretty much an open book (or not that interesting) because I don’t think there is much that people don’t know about me, but here’s a shot: 1) I think I’m secretly a 13 year old girl. I love all the pop music, TV shows, and silly stuff that comes along with that age; 2) I played the flute in high school and can still whip out a pretty good tune; 3) I can’t live without coffee or my new addiction of Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Almonds with sea-salt and turbinado sugar. Both are integral to my success in getting through the day.”

 

Libby Riordan – Atlanta Crew & Volunteer Coordinator

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Ready to show her meal no mercy!

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “Supporting and empowering the awesome Atlanta Crew!”

We’re a couple weeks from the Atlanta event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “Most of my days leading up to event are spent communicating with captains and crew members and delivering all of the final details. I always tell people that the 3-Day is like planning a wedding. You spend months getting ready, planning, and preparing, but lots of things change before the big day. It gets a little crazy towards the end making sure that the captains have everything they need and that every crew is ready to rock on event!”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) I love to sing. I can listen to a song once and know all the words! It drives my friends crazy; 2) I was on a home makeover TV show where we turned my friend’s backyard into a beach. Lots of sand!; 3) I knew I wanted work for the 3-Day after the Opening Ceremony the first time I walked, in 2005.”

 

 

Going to be at the Atlanta 3-Day? Come meet coaches Tara and Susan at two special meet-and-greets, on Friday and Saturday in camp, between 6-7 p.m. in the 3-Day Lounge.