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!
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.
While we couldn’t gather “together” in person this year, the 3-Day family found a way to spread Pink Bubble magic during an unprecedented time. We are so thankful for all you’ve done.
You hit the pavement in your hometowns all year. From our Spring Break virtual training walk in April to the Summer Solstice walk in June, to each of our 2021 3-Day Virtual Kick-Offs, we treasured every moment of joy spent with the 3-Day family.
You were there for each other. We are blown away every day by the power of the 3-Day family, its ability to lift up a family member when they need it most, and how it brings support every day to those who are a part of it.
Despite all of the challenges, you brought joy to 2020. When we think of the 3-Day family, this quotation resonates so deeply with us: “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” —K. Barth
For every step taken, every dollar raised, every moment shared—today and all days, we are grateful for you and that you are on this journey with us.
When November began and we started this season of gratitude, we posed a question to the Pink Bubble family on social: “Who in the 3-Day family are you thankful for and why?”
At first, Cathy M.’s quick, clever reply on Twitter made us chuckle: “This is kind of like asking who is your favorite child. Teammates? Crew? Volunteers? Medics? Cheering stations? Coaches? I ♥ them all & am thankful for them all!”
Then, as time went on and more and more of you shared, we read every beautiful note of thanks from the 3-Day family—and our hearts began to overflow with joy and gratitude for this special community.
Dottie C. summed it up so perfectly. “For me, the 3-Day is a collective ‘who.’ Although there are people who are standouts, the Bubble can have a personality of its own. The ‘Bubble moments’ that always grab me are the silent and unsung moments of support and love that are always present during this event. From the opening ceremony, along the route, at camp, to the closing ceremony, we have a rare opportunity to witness some of the best of people. So, to all of YOU in all events. You are my ‘who’ I am thankful for. Cheers!”
Happy Thanksgiving, 3-Day family. We hope you feel our gratitude for you.
Here are a few more responses from the community:
Monica F.: “I would agree with Dottie, the 3-Day is for sure a collective ‘who’ I am thankful for. Almost half of the people in my life today are from the 3-Day. It’s such an inspiring place for all of us collectively.”
Mandie R.: “I am thankful for the entire Pink Bubble—there is truly nothing like it! I am so very thankful for my girls, my sisters, those who I have been with since Day 01, Christine, Becki, and Allie. Through the years, we have cried together, laughed together, supported each other, fought together (not with each other), pushed one another to get up a d*mn hill, dragged the other to the next pit stop/grab & go, or simply whined for hours on end about everything 🤣. No matter how much time goes by that we haven’t seen one another—we pick up right where we left off! There are truly no words to describe my heartfelt ♥ for my girls! I love each one of you. Thank you for making my life better because you are in it. Forever sisters but family for life! #theTataSisterhood #SisterFriends”
Mary N.: “I am thankful for Dottie C….a most energetic, devoted, and heart-full participant and champion of the cause. She is an inspiration! ❤️”
Billy B.: “I am thankful for the friends I have made through the years I have been involved. My very good friend, Joy W., Brad T., and all the other people I have met. They have supported me through the pain of losing my wife, and I have done the same for them with their loved ones. Also, the support of my son and daughter, who lost their mother. She was a daughter, sister, friend, wife, lover, mother, grandmother, and a NURSE. She is missed and loved every day.”
L. G.: “I am thankful to so many in the ‘Pink Bubble family.’ Every coach who inspires walkers to fundraise more and train harder. Every crew member who makes the walks so much easier and enjoyable. Every walker who is brave enough to share their stories of survivorship, loss or doing good for the world.”
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