10 Ways to Make the Holidays More Meaningful in 2020

Pink Bubble family, can you believe it is December? As we come to the end of this “special” year, we are so inspired by the continued impact being made by our 3-Day community. Every dollar raised truly makes a difference. With the help of your fundraising efforts, Susan G. Komen invests in cutting-edge research that will lead to new, more effective treatments, works in communities across the country to ensure all people can access the care they need, and mobilizes passionate supporters to make certain the voice of the breast cancer community is heard by policymakers.

How can you make a difference this December? We consulted some of our experts—our walkers and crew—for ideas on how to make the holidays more meaningful in 2020. Here are our top ten.

1. Instead of presents, ask for donations to your 3-Day fundraising. You can even use the 3-Day mobile app to donate checks directly into your account!

2. Set up a Facebook Fundraiser to make year-end giving easy for friends and family who are looking to capitalize on charitable gift tax deductions! Facebook Fundraisers make it incredibly easy!

3. Receive a gift that doesn’t suit your taste? Consider selling it and donating the proceeds.

4. Run a donation-based, socially-distanced gift wrapping service for friends and family.

5. Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Dayparticipant Karen K. gets creative with a Holiday Drive-Thru! A nearby neighborhood draws crowds of cars driving by to see the holiday lights display. Karen sets up a table in a friend’s driveway and sells holiday crafts to the visitors in exchange for donations.

6. Get organized and start out your year with a clean closet! You can sell your items to thredUP or a local consignment shop and donate those funds to your 3-Day account. Or you can use thredUP’s donation program. When you mail in your items, instead of a payout, Komen will receive a $5 donation on your behalf. It’s easy—they mail you a bag, you fill it with clothes, and drop it off at your local USPS or FedEx office. Click here to learn more about thredUP’s donation program. (Note: the $5 donation will not be reflected in your 3-Day fundraising).

7. Use the 3-Day mobile app to send out New Year’s notes letting people know that you’re walking and why!

8. Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day participant Karen K. also recommends asking restaurants to include carry-out and gift card purchases when they host a fundraising night for you! It’s truly a win-win—you receive an increased donation and the restaurant is able to get people in and out quickly and can make more sales in one day. Plus, this helps ensure that people will come back to use those gift cards another time when they are able to eat out again.

9. Don your pink Santa hat and offer to put up holiday lights in exchange for donations!

10. Include a 3-Day insert card in your holiday cards.

This time of year—filled with hope, giving, and celebration—is a great time to squeeze in one more fundraising ask before the calendar switches to the next year. What other holiday fundraising ideas would you recommend to the 3-Day family? Share in the comments on our Facebook page.

Easy Ways to Spread the 3-Day Spirit This Giving Season

After Giving Tuesday, we have officially kicked off the holiday season! This is a time for joy and family, and of course, giving to those in need. The Giving Season is when our hearts and minds are most with those in need, and when we work together to make a difference in their lives. That work includes fundraising to support Komen’s investments in cutting-edge research that will lead to new, more effective treatments, working in communities across the country to ensure all people can access the care they need, and mobilizing passionate supporters to make certain the voice of the breast cancer community is heard by policymakers.

These efforts can be as big or as small you like, and we are here to help make things as easy as possible. There are simple ways to spread the 3-Day love throughout the next few weeks, starting TODAY! Let’s get started…

Sign a friend up for the 3-Day TODAY

What better way to celebrate the Giving Season than with some giving of your own? Today (December 5) is the last day of our current registration discount, so you can register yourself or your future teammates for the 3-Day for only $35 – and you don’t even need a code! It will only take a few minutes and is budget-friendly for everyone on your list.

Whether you want to bring a new friend into our 3-Day Pink Bubble, or help someone you love return to our family, you know that the 3-Day will bring nothing but smiles and joy from the moment you register to those final steps across the finish line.

Remind everyone of the 3-Day’s impact

Your efforts this year, and in years past, have made a real difference in the fight against breast cancer. From your teammates to your donors and your supporters, everyone should know that the accomplishments they helped you achieve this year have made an impact.

You can check out our Facebook page to see how much the 3-Day in your city raised, and then let everyone know how that money was used! The 3-Day also has infographics and videos that explain how donations are aiding in the fight against breast cancer.

These infographics can be printed out and included in your fundraising letter, or you can link right to them if you prefer to send out fundraising emails. You can also link to any of the videos from our YouTube channel!

These explanations and inspirational messages will help thank your family and friends for your support, encourage your donors to continue to give, and provide inspiration throughout the holiday season.

Gather your family close

And that doesn’t just mean your biological family! The 3-Day family extends beyond that. It extends beyond your teammates and even your donors. Every one of us has to work together to expand our networks and spread the impact of the 3-Day. Celebrate the family you have, and the family you have built, by drawing them close and celebrating the end of another amazing year.

Have an all-pink holiday bash to thank everyone who has made your 3-Day journey possible this year! Think holiday cookies, your favorite 3-Day music, and maybe even a sing along with some of our 3-Day carols ? You’ll spread that holiday spirit in no time!

What Your 3-Day Coaches are Thankful For in 2019

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are all celebrating by surrounding yourself with love and fun! There is so much to be grateful for this year; from all of our amazing participants to our beautiful host cities to the phenomenal amount of money we raised in the fight against breast cancer.

And though many of us are spending the day relaxing with family and good food, we wanted to make sure to throw some love your way! Our 3-Day coaches, from New England to San Diego, are thankful for each and every one of you. But they’re also thankful for travel, their families, each other and more! Here are a few of our coaches’ favorite things this Thanksgiving….

Coach Gayla with her daughter

Coach Gayla

I’m grateful for the hard working and super kind crew members that make this event so special for everyone.

I’m also grateful for the supporters who come out to the 3-Day in each city.

Lastly, I’m grateful for my family and how they love and support me and my passion doing the job that I love, and for my work family who I’m incredibly blessed to work alongside and share so many cool experiences with.

Coach Carol with Jim Hillman

Coach Carol

I am grateful for friendships made, friendships strengthened, and beautiful sights seen along the way!

Coach Tisho (left) with Coach Molly (right)

Coach Tisho

I’m so thankful for the ability to embrace healthy habits that I’d previously neglected. For the opportunity to travel and experience new things. And for coffee. Alllll the coffee!

Coach Molly

The opportunity to do meaningful work.

To be inspired by participants who display kindness and compassion and motivate me with their unwavering support and commitment to the causes they believe in.

To work alongside the most hardworking, loyal and FUN co-workers who make the good days and challenging moments more than worth it.

Coach Heather (left) with Coach Carol (right) and George

Coach Heather

I’m grateful that my Mom is doing absolutely wonderful despite her breast cancer diagnosis early in 2019!

I’m grateful that I chose ME! I’ve embraced life with the “go with the flow” attitude. And it’s been pretty awesome!

I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to be on-event with nearly every 3-Day staff member this season! The combination of various strengths, skills, and personalities from event to event allowed for a great season for me!

Coach Staci

My health, my amazing family and friends (which includes my co-workers because I’m just lucky that way!). I’m also grateful for a continued sense of wanderlust that keeps me energized and keeps my mind reeling, wondering, “What else is there to see?”

We are so thankful for our 3-Day coaches for all their hard work, on our 3-Days and all year long.

We are also thankful for all of you for your continued dedication and support of the 3-Day and the fight against breast cancer. We are honored to continue this fight alongside you.

We hope you are enjoying this day of thanks and love ?