Starting a Great Strides Walk

[AbbysMama]

Hey y'all.

I've been checking out the Great Strides walks in our area and unfortunately there are not any within a 45-50 mile radius of where we live. I don't want to jump into coordinating a walk without getting the full picture of what it entails which is why I haven't contacted CFF yet.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Emily

 

[AbbysMama]

Hey y'all.

I've been checking out the Great Strides walks in our area and unfortunately there are not any within a 45-50 mile radius of where we live. I don't want to jump into coordinating a walk without getting the full picture of what it entails which is why I haven't contacted CFF yet.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Emily

 

[AbbysMama]

Hey y'all.

I've been checking out the Great Strides walks in our area and unfortunately there are not any within a 45-50 mile radius of where we live. I don't want to jump into coordinating a walk without getting the full picture of what it entails which is why I haven't contacted CFF yet.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Emily

 

[AbbysMama]

Hey y'all.

I've been checking out the Great Strides walks in our area and unfortunately there are not any within a 45-50 mile radius of where we live. I don't want to jump into coordinating a walk without getting the full picture of what it entails which is why I haven't contacted CFF yet.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Emily

 

[AbbysMama]

Hey y'all.

I've been checking out the Great Strides walks in our area and unfortunately there are not any within a 45-50 mile radius of where we live. I don't want to jump into coordinating a walk without getting the full picture of what it entails which is why I haven't contacted CFF yet.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Emily

 

[izemmom]

Well, I haven't started one from scratch (Mamerth has...you might want to PM her).

I have, however, been involved the last year and a half in trying to grow a walk that was almost dropped by the CFF for lack of participation. Basically, when I got involved the previous walk organizer had just quit (she divorced out of the family with the cf kids...bad feelings all around!) and the CFF person was Brand New in his position. Last May's walk was small, but my MIL and I worked our tails off to even get it off the ground. There was a loose structure to follow and some cff support, but we were largely on our own.

We had to secure(rent) the walk site, get donations for food (cff helped with this, a bit) try to contact potential walkers...I did a radio interview and we put posters up all over. I organized a raffle that ended up raising $200 - not bad! We tried to get a band but couldn't. We just sort of took each step as we came to it. It can be a ton or work, or you can keep it simple like we did. Either way, money and awarness will be raised.

The walk was small, like I said. We had about 60 walkers, most of them from my family or our friends. But, we raised, (if I remember correctly) about $5,000 - maybe more. It all helps.

I say go for it. Recruit one or two people to help you and start early. Good Lluck!

 

[izemmom]

Well, I haven't started one from scratch (Mamerth has...you might want to PM her).

I have, however, been involved the last year and a half in trying to grow a walk that was almost dropped by the CFF for lack of participation. Basically, when I got involved the previous walk organizer had just quit (she divorced out of the family with the cf kids...bad feelings all around!) and the CFF person was Brand New in his position. Last May's walk was small, but my MIL and I worked our tails off to even get it off the ground. There was a loose structure to follow and some cff support, but we were largely on our own.

We had to secure(rent) the walk site, get donations for food (cff helped with this, a bit) try to contact potential walkers...I did a radio interview and we put posters up all over. I organized a raffle that ended up raising $200 - not bad! We tried to get a band but couldn't. We just sort of took each step as we came to it. It can be a ton or work, or you can keep it simple like we did. Either way, money and awarness will be raised.

The walk was small, like I said. We had about 60 walkers, most of them from my family or our friends. But, we raised, (if I remember correctly) about $5,000 - maybe more. It all helps.

I say go for it. Recruit one or two people to help you and start early. Good Lluck!

 

[izemmom]

Well, I haven't started one from scratch (Mamerth has...you might want to PM her).

I have, however, been involved the last year and a half in trying to grow a walk that was almost dropped by the CFF for lack of participation. Basically, when I got involved the previous walk organizer had just quit (she divorced out of the family with the cf kids...bad feelings all around!) and the CFF person was Brand New in his position. Last May's walk was small, but my MIL and I worked our tails off to even get it off the ground. There was a loose structure to follow and some cff support, but we were largely on our own.

We had to secure(rent) the walk site, get donations for food (cff helped with this, a bit) try to contact potential walkers...I did a radio interview and we put posters up all over. I organized a raffle that ended up raising $200 - not bad! We tried to get a band but couldn't. We just sort of took each step as we came to it. It can be a ton or work, or you can keep it simple like we did. Either way, money and awarness will be raised.

The walk was small, like I said. We had about 60 walkers, most of them from my family or our friends. But, we raised, (if I remember correctly) about $5,000 - maybe more. It all helps.

I say go for it. Recruit one or two people to help you and start early. Good Lluck!

 

[izemmom]

Well, I haven't started one from scratch (Mamerth has...you might want to PM her).

I have, however, been involved the last year and a half in trying to grow a walk that was almost dropped by the CFF for lack of participation. Basically, when I got involved the previous walk organizer had just quit (she divorced out of the family with the cf kids...bad feelings all around!) and the CFF person was Brand New in his position. Last May's walk was small, but my MIL and I worked our tails off to even get it off the ground. There was a loose structure to follow and some cff support, but we were largely on our own.

We had to secure(rent) the walk site, get donations for food (cff helped with this, a bit) try to contact potential walkers...I did a radio interview and we put posters up all over. I organized a raffle that ended up raising $200 - not bad! We tried to get a band but couldn't. We just sort of took each step as we came to it. It can be a ton or work, or you can keep it simple like we did. Either way, money and awarness will be raised.

The walk was small, like I said. We had about 60 walkers, most of them from my family or our friends. But, we raised, (if I remember correctly) about $5,000 - maybe more. It all helps.

I say go for it. Recruit one or two people to help you and start early. Good Lluck!

 

[izemmom]

Well, I haven't started one from scratch (Mamerth has...you might want to PM her).

I have, however, been involved the last year and a half in trying to grow a walk that was almost dropped by the CFF for lack of participation. Basically, when I got involved the previous walk organizer had just quit (she divorced out of the family with the cf kids...bad feelings all around!) and the CFF person was Brand New in his position. Last May's walk was small, but my MIL and I worked our tails off to even get it off the ground. There was a loose structure to follow and some cff support, but we were largely on our own.

We had to secure(rent) the walk site, get donations for food (cff helped with this, a bit) try to contact potential walkers...I did a radio interview and we put posters up all over. I organized a raffle that ended up raising $200 - not bad! We tried to get a band but couldn't. We just sort of took each step as we came to it. It can be a ton or work, or you can keep it simple like we did. Either way, money and awarness will be raised.

The walk was small, like I said. We had about 60 walkers, most of them from my family or our friends. But, we raised, (if I remember correctly) about $5,000 - maybe more. It all helps.

I say go for it. Recruit one or two people to help you and start early. Good Lluck!

 

[TonyaH]

Hi Emily,

Please feel free to pm me anytime with particular questions. I am a volunteer/donor now, but worked as a Director of Special Events for CFF for about 5 years before my daughter was born. (At that point I decided with two children it was best to make the move to stay at home mom for awhile.)

Anyway, as an employee, I've planned CFF walks, golf outings, black ties, etc. and am happy to give you a rundown of all of the tasks that you would need to consider.

As volunteers, my husband and I have done some grassroots events like Great Strides and Bowl for Breaths, which each raised about $20,000. It is very do-able, especially if you have excited and committed friends and family. It's all about building that "matrix", of walk teams and corporate sponsors...not as scary as it sounds! Wrap around events are always fun and a great way to boost income by all of your walk teams, as is remembering simple things like matching donations from employers of your participatants.

At the end of the day, it is such a rewarding project to be involved with. I will tell you, your local CFF chapter will probably put their energy into the larger walks, and you will probably notice more support from them once you start sending them sponsorship checks from companies, but that's just the nature of the Foundation..they are a fundraising entity. They see $$$$$$. So, that being said, if you find yourself not getting as much support from your chapter, especially since your event director is so new,(like 80% of them are..turnover at CFF is very high), contact me any time! I have a feeling you would do a great job!!!!!

Good luck!

 

[TonyaH]

Hi Emily,

Please feel free to pm me anytime with particular questions. I am a volunteer/donor now, but worked as a Director of Special Events for CFF for about 5 years before my daughter was born. (At that point I decided with two children it was best to make the move to stay at home mom for awhile.)

Anyway, as an employee, I've planned CFF walks, golf outings, black ties, etc. and am happy to give you a rundown of all of the tasks that you would need to consider.

As volunteers, my husband and I have done some grassroots events like Great Strides and Bowl for Breaths, which each raised about $20,000. It is very do-able, especially if you have excited and committed friends and family. It's all about building that "matrix", of walk teams and corporate sponsors...not as scary as it sounds! Wrap around events are always fun and a great way to boost income by all of your walk teams, as is remembering simple things like matching donations from employers of your participatants.

At the end of the day, it is such a rewarding project to be involved with. I will tell you, your local CFF chapter will probably put their energy into the larger walks, and you will probably notice more support from them once you start sending them sponsorship checks from companies, but that's just the nature of the Foundation..they are a fundraising entity. They see $$$$$$. So, that being said, if you find yourself not getting as much support from your chapter, especially since your event director is so new,(like 80% of them are..turnover at CFF is very high), contact me any time! I have a feeling you would do a great job!!!!!

Good luck!

 

[TonyaH]

Hi Emily,

Please feel free to pm me anytime with particular questions. I am a volunteer/donor now, but worked as a Director of Special Events for CFF for about 5 years before my daughter was born. (At that point I decided with two children it was best to make the move to stay at home mom for awhile.)

Anyway, as an employee, I've planned CFF walks, golf outings, black ties, etc. and am happy to give you a rundown of all of the tasks that you would need to consider.

As volunteers, my husband and I have done some grassroots events like Great Strides and Bowl for Breaths, which each raised about $20,000. It is very do-able, especially if you have excited and committed friends and family. It's all about building that "matrix", of walk teams and corporate sponsors...not as scary as it sounds! Wrap around events are always fun and a great way to boost income by all of your walk teams, as is remembering simple things like matching donations from employers of your participatants.

At the end of the day, it is such a rewarding project to be involved with. I will tell you, your local CFF chapter will probably put their energy into the larger walks, and you will probably notice more support from them once you start sending them sponsorship checks from companies, but that's just the nature of the Foundation..they are a fundraising entity. They see $$$$$$. So, that being said, if you find yourself not getting as much support from your chapter, especially since your event director is so new,(like 80% of them are..turnover at CFF is very high), contact me any time! I have a feeling you would do a great job!!!!!

Good luck!

 

[TonyaH]

Hi Emily,

Please feel free to pm me anytime with particular questions. I am a volunteer/donor now, but worked as a Director of Special Events for CFF for about 5 years before my daughter was born. (At that point I decided with two children it was best to make the move to stay at home mom for awhile.)

Anyway, as an employee, I've planned CFF walks, golf outings, black ties, etc. and am happy to give you a rundown of all of the tasks that you would need to consider.

As volunteers, my husband and I have done some grassroots events like Great Strides and Bowl for Breaths, which each raised about $20,000. It is very do-able, especially if you have excited and committed friends and family. It's all about building that "matrix", of walk teams and corporate sponsors...not as scary as it sounds! Wrap around events are always fun and a great way to boost income by all of your walk teams, as is remembering simple things like matching donations from employers of your participatants.

At the end of the day, it is such a rewarding project to be involved with. I will tell you, your local CFF chapter will probably put their energy into the larger walks, and you will probably notice more support from them once you start sending them sponsorship checks from companies, but that's just the nature of the Foundation..they are a fundraising entity. They see $$$$$$. So, that being said, if you find yourself not getting as much support from your chapter, especially since your event director is so new,(like 80% of them are..turnover at CFF is very high), contact me any time! I have a feeling you would do a great job!!!!!

Good luck!

 

[TonyaH]

Hi Emily,

Please feel free to pm me anytime with particular questions. I am a volunteer/donor now, but worked as a Director of Special Events for CFF for about 5 years before my daughter was born. (At that point I decided with two children it was best to make the move to stay at home mom for awhile.)

Anyway, as an employee, I've planned CFF walks, golf outings, black ties, etc. and am happy to give you a rundown of all of the tasks that you would need to consider.

As volunteers, my husband and I have done some grassroots events like Great Strides and Bowl for Breaths, which each raised about $20,000. It is very do-able, especially if you have excited and committed friends and family. It's all about building that "matrix", of walk teams and corporate sponsors...not as scary as it sounds! Wrap around events are always fun and a great way to boost income by all of your walk teams, as is remembering simple things like matching donations from employers of your participatants.

At the end of the day, it is such a rewarding project to be involved with. I will tell you, your local CFF chapter will probably put their energy into the larger walks, and you will probably notice more support from them once you start sending them sponsorship checks from companies, but that's just the nature of the Foundation..they are a fundraising entity. They see $$$$$$. So, that being said, if you find yourself not getting as much support from your chapter, especially since your event director is so new,(like 80% of them are..turnover at CFF is very high), contact me any time! I have a feeling you would do a great job!!!!!

Good luck!

 

[Ratatosk]

The spring after DS was diagnosed, the CFF started up a walk in our City and we pretty much ended up planning it along with the rep from the CFF, her parents, sister and spouse. We meet once a month starting in January to get ideas, start getting organized... An email goes out to area families, clinic is notified... I'm not one for calling up people and asking for donations of food, corporate sponsorships, etc. -- but if I have too, I will and did -- fortunately we had people involved who don't mind doing so. So I pretty much send out press releases, keep posters and registration flyers in my car and hand them out/post them, I'll pick up ice, beverages, snacks the day before the walk.

DH creates the route map for the walk -- due to flooding issues each spring, we never quite know where we'll walk. He puts up the signs the morning of the walk. I help set up tables.

If there's enough interest in an area, the CFF will organize a walk. Next year they're planning one in the western part of the state because our little walk has grown significantly and we've drawn people 250-300 miles away.

We'd just planned to join the walk and somehow ended up on the planning committee. Our walk has become very successful. There's a walk in a small town in a rural area in the state next to ours that was organized by a couple of parents and it has also become VERY successful. The whole community has gotten involved and they've organized a fishing tournament, too.

 

[Ratatosk]

The spring after DS was diagnosed, the CFF started up a walk in our City and we pretty much ended up planning it along with the rep from the CFF, her parents, sister and spouse. We meet once a month starting in January to get ideas, start getting organized... An email goes out to area families, clinic is notified... I'm not one for calling up people and asking for donations of food, corporate sponsorships, etc. -- but if I have too, I will and did -- fortunately we had people involved who don't mind doing so. So I pretty much send out press releases, keep posters and registration flyers in my car and hand them out/post them, I'll pick up ice, beverages, snacks the day before the walk.

DH creates the route map for the walk -- due to flooding issues each spring, we never quite know where we'll walk. He puts up the signs the morning of the walk. I help set up tables.

If there's enough interest in an area, the CFF will organize a walk. Next year they're planning one in the western part of the state because our little walk has grown significantly and we've drawn people 250-300 miles away.

We'd just planned to join the walk and somehow ended up on the planning committee. Our walk has become very successful. There's a walk in a small town in a rural area in the state next to ours that was organized by a couple of parents and it has also become VERY successful. The whole community has gotten involved and they've organized a fishing tournament, too.

 

[Ratatosk]

The spring after DS was diagnosed, the CFF started up a walk in our City and we pretty much ended up planning it along with the rep from the CFF, her parents, sister and spouse. We meet once a month starting in January to get ideas, start getting organized... An email goes out to area families, clinic is notified... I'm not one for calling up people and asking for donations of food, corporate sponsorships, etc. -- but if I have too, I will and did -- fortunately we had people involved who don't mind doing so. So I pretty much send out press releases, keep posters and registration flyers in my car and hand them out/post them, I'll pick up ice, beverages, snacks the day before the walk.

DH creates the route map for the walk -- due to flooding issues each spring, we never quite know where we'll walk. He puts up the signs the morning of the walk. I help set up tables.

If there's enough interest in an area, the CFF will organize a walk. Next year they're planning one in the western part of the state because our little walk has grown significantly and we've drawn people 250-300 miles away.

We'd just planned to join the walk and somehow ended up on the planning committee. Our walk has become very successful. There's a walk in a small town in a rural area in the state next to ours that was organized by a couple of parents and it has also become VERY successful. The whole community has gotten involved and they've organized a fishing tournament, too.

 

[Ratatosk]

The spring after DS was diagnosed, the CFF started up a walk in our City and we pretty much ended up planning it along with the rep from the CFF, her parents, sister and spouse. We meet once a month starting in January to get ideas, start getting organized... An email goes out to area families, clinic is notified... I'm not one for calling up people and asking for donations of food, corporate sponsorships, etc. -- but if I have too, I will and did -- fortunately we had people involved who don't mind doing so. So I pretty much send out press releases, keep posters and registration flyers in my car and hand them out/post them, I'll pick up ice, beverages, snacks the day before the walk.

DH creates the route map for the walk -- due to flooding issues each spring, we never quite know where we'll walk. He puts up the signs the morning of the walk. I help set up tables.

If there's enough interest in an area, the CFF will organize a walk. Next year they're planning one in the western part of the state because our little walk has grown significantly and we've drawn people 250-300 miles away.

We'd just planned to join the walk and somehow ended up on the planning committee. Our walk has become very successful. There's a walk in a small town in a rural area in the state next to ours that was organized by a couple of parents and it has also become VERY successful. The whole community has gotten involved and they've organized a fishing tournament, too.

 

[Ratatosk]

The spring after DS was diagnosed, the CFF started up a walk in our City and we pretty much ended up planning it along with the rep from the CFF, her parents, sister and spouse. We meet once a month starting in January to get ideas, start getting organized... An email goes out to area families, clinic is notified... I'm not one for calling up people and asking for donations of food, corporate sponsorships, etc. -- but if I have too, I will and did -- fortunately we had people involved who don't mind doing so. So I pretty much send out press releases, keep posters and registration flyers in my car and hand them out/post them, I'll pick up ice, beverages, snacks the day before the walk.

DH creates the route map for the walk -- due to flooding issues each spring, we never quite know where we'll walk. He puts up the signs the morning of the walk. I help set up tables.

If there's enough interest in an area, the CFF will organize a walk. Next year they're planning one in the western part of the state because our little walk has grown significantly and we've drawn people 250-300 miles away.

We'd just planned to join the walk and somehow ended up on the planning committee. Our walk has become very successful. There's a walk in a small town in a rural area in the state next to ours that was organized by a couple of parents and it has also become VERY successful. The whole community has gotten involved and they've organized a fishing tournament, too.