Teach me...Please about "Great Strides"

[SARAHSARAH253]

Hi there, Let me 1st tell each of you thank you for all your advise you have given me in the last couple months. We are doing much better! We met with the doctors that perform PGD, and our future looks brighter. I just have to get my BMI way down...So, I have made up my mind that if my son has to fight every day to fight CF...I can fight to get my weight at healthy number....To give him brothers and sisters....Well, I need some tips or info on Great Strides? Did each of you do it the first year or wait? Do you only ask for support from family, friends, co-workers, or can you reach out to large companies? Thanks for anytips you might have.

Thanks,


Sarah

Mommy to Johnny 5 mos. w/cf.

 

[SARAHSARAH253]

Hi there, Let me 1st tell each of you thank you for all your advise you have given me in the last couple months. We are doing much better! We met with the doctors that perform PGD, and our future looks brighter. I just have to get my BMI way down...So, I have made up my mind that if my son has to fight every day to fight CF...I can fight to get my weight at healthy number....To give him brothers and sisters....Well, I need some tips or info on Great Strides? Did each of you do it the first year or wait? Do you only ask for support from family, friends, co-workers, or can you reach out to large companies? Thanks for anytips you might have.

Thanks,


Sarah

Mommy to Johnny 5 mos. w/cf.

 

[SARAHSARAH253]

Hi there, Let me 1st tell each of you thank you for all your advise you have given me in the last couple months. We are doing much better! We met with the doctors that perform PGD, and our future looks brighter. I just have to get my BMI way down...So, I have made up my mind that if my son has to fight every day to fight CF...I can fight to get my weight at healthy number....To give him brothers and sisters....Well, I need some tips or info on Great Strides? Did each of you do it the first year or wait? Do you only ask for support from family, friends, co-workers, or can you reach out to large companies? Thanks for anytips you might have.

Thanks,


Sarah

Mommy to Johnny 5 mos. w/cf.

 

[SARAHSARAH253]

Hi there, Let me 1st tell each of you thank you for all your advise you have given me in the last couple months. We are doing much better! We met with the doctors that perform PGD, and our future looks brighter. I just have to get my BMI way down...So, I have made up my mind that if my son has to fight every day to fight CF...I can fight to get my weight at healthy number....To give him brothers and sisters....Well, I need some tips or info on Great Strides? Did each of you do it the first year or wait? Do you only ask for support from family, friends, co-workers, or can you reach out to large companies? Thanks for anytips you might have.

Thanks,


Sarah

Mommy to Johnny 5 mos. w/cf.

 

[SARAHSARAH253]

Hi there, Let me 1st tell each of you thank you for all your advise you have given me in the last couple months. We are doing much better! We met with the doctors that perform PGD, and our future looks brighter. I just have to get my BMI way down...So, I have made up my mind that if my son has to fight every day to fight CF...I can fight to get my weight at healthy number....To give him brothers and sisters....Well, I need some tips or info on Great Strides? Did each of you do it the first year or wait? Do you only ask for support from family, friends, co-workers, or can you reach out to large companies? Thanks for anytips you might have.

Thanks,


Sarah

Mommy to Johnny 5 mos. w/cf.

 

[izemmom]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hi Sarah

We did Great STrides the first year - about 6 months after Emily was born. For me, it was a way to take some control over what I was dealing with. I know for some people it's harder and they prefer to wait, but I needed to be doing SOMETHING, so I organized two teams (one where we live now and one in our hometown).

We had HUGE teams the first year, at least 50 walkers on one and 25 or so on the other. The second year was harder to get walkers. We raised more money the second year, becasue when I figured out that people didn't want to walk I did other types of fundraisers (a jeans for Genes day at our work places, a comedy improve show/silent auction with our theater company, a Pampered Chef party with the "hostess benefits and consultant commission" going to CF and a video montgae which we e-mailed to EVERYBODY we knew.

I say, go about it however you are comfortable. Maybe start by asking family this year, see how that goes and then branch out for future years. I always tell myself that every penny counts and even if you raise only $100 you have raised awarness of cf in every person you asked.

Good Luck. I'm sure others will respond with creative ideas and good advice for you!

 

[izemmom]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hi Sarah

We did Great STrides the first year - about 6 months after Emily was born. For me, it was a way to take some control over what I was dealing with. I know for some people it's harder and they prefer to wait, but I needed to be doing SOMETHING, so I organized two teams (one where we live now and one in our hometown).

We had HUGE teams the first year, at least 50 walkers on one and 25 or so on the other. The second year was harder to get walkers. We raised more money the second year, becasue when I figured out that people didn't want to walk I did other types of fundraisers (a jeans for Genes day at our work places, a comedy improve show/silent auction with our theater company, a Pampered Chef party with the "hostess benefits and consultant commission" going to CF and a video montgae which we e-mailed to EVERYBODY we knew.

I say, go about it however you are comfortable. Maybe start by asking family this year, see how that goes and then branch out for future years. I always tell myself that every penny counts and even if you raise only $100 you have raised awarness of cf in every person you asked.

Good Luck. I'm sure others will respond with creative ideas and good advice for you!

 

[izemmom]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hi Sarah

We did Great STrides the first year - about 6 months after Emily was born. For me, it was a way to take some control over what I was dealing with. I know for some people it's harder and they prefer to wait, but I needed to be doing SOMETHING, so I organized two teams (one where we live now and one in our hometown).

We had HUGE teams the first year, at least 50 walkers on one and 25 or so on the other. The second year was harder to get walkers. We raised more money the second year, becasue when I figured out that people didn't want to walk I did other types of fundraisers (a jeans for Genes day at our work places, a comedy improve show/silent auction with our theater company, a Pampered Chef party with the "hostess benefits and consultant commission" going to CF and a video montgae which we e-mailed to EVERYBODY we knew.

I say, go about it however you are comfortable. Maybe start by asking family this year, see how that goes and then branch out for future years. I always tell myself that every penny counts and even if you raise only $100 you have raised awarness of cf in every person you asked.

Good Luck. I'm sure others will respond with creative ideas and good advice for you!

 

[izemmom]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hi Sarah

We did Great STrides the first year - about 6 months after Emily was born. For me, it was a way to take some control over what I was dealing with. I know for some people it's harder and they prefer to wait, but I needed to be doing SOMETHING, so I organized two teams (one where we live now and one in our hometown).

We had HUGE teams the first year, at least 50 walkers on one and 25 or so on the other. The second year was harder to get walkers. We raised more money the second year, becasue when I figured out that people didn't want to walk I did other types of fundraisers (a jeans for Genes day at our work places, a comedy improve show/silent auction with our theater company, a Pampered Chef party with the "hostess benefits and consultant commission" going to CF and a video montgae which we e-mailed to EVERYBODY we knew.

I say, go about it however you are comfortable. Maybe start by asking family this year, see how that goes and then branch out for future years. I always tell myself that every penny counts and even if you raise only $100 you have raised awarness of cf in every person you asked.

Good Luck. I'm sure others will respond with creative ideas and good advice for you!

 

[izemmom]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hi Sarah

We did Great STrides the first year - about 6 months after Emily was born. For me, it was a way to take some control over what I was dealing with. I know for some people it's harder and they prefer to wait, but I needed to be doing SOMETHING, so I organized two teams (one where we live now and one in our hometown).

We had HUGE teams the first year, at least 50 walkers on one and 25 or so on the other. The second year was harder to get walkers. We raised more money the second year, becasue when I figured out that people didn't want to walk I did other types of fundraisers (a jeans for Genes day at our work places, a comedy improve show/silent auction with our theater company, a Pampered Chef party with the "hostess benefits and consultant commission" going to CF and a video montgae which we e-mailed to EVERYBODY we knew.

I say, go about it however you are comfortable. Maybe start by asking family this year, see how that goes and then branch out for future years. I always tell myself that every penny counts and even if you raise only $100 you have raised awarness of cf in every person you asked.

Good Luck. I'm sure others will respond with creative ideas and good advice for you!

 

[Ratatosk]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

We did Great Strides the first year, as well. DS was 11 months old. This was the first walk in our community that the CFF had in YEARS, so we got involved with the planning, arranging the walk route, food & beverages, putting up posters.

We did the letterwriting campaign -- tweaked the form letter, which was available on the CFF Great Strides site -- sent it to everyone on our Xmas card list, friends, family, coworkers, etc. I sent letters to people I used to go to school with, people I've been on committees with, businesses, neighbors. I started with my address book at home, then my business contacts... We now do both the email/online fundraising and letter writing.

 

[Ratatosk]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

We did Great Strides the first year, as well. DS was 11 months old. This was the first walk in our community that the CFF had in YEARS, so we got involved with the planning, arranging the walk route, food & beverages, putting up posters.

We did the letterwriting campaign -- tweaked the form letter, which was available on the CFF Great Strides site -- sent it to everyone on our Xmas card list, friends, family, coworkers, etc. I sent letters to people I used to go to school with, people I've been on committees with, businesses, neighbors. I started with my address book at home, then my business contacts... We now do both the email/online fundraising and letter writing.

 

[Ratatosk]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

We did Great Strides the first year, as well. DS was 11 months old. This was the first walk in our community that the CFF had in YEARS, so we got involved with the planning, arranging the walk route, food & beverages, putting up posters.

We did the letterwriting campaign -- tweaked the form letter, which was available on the CFF Great Strides site -- sent it to everyone on our Xmas card list, friends, family, coworkers, etc. I sent letters to people I used to go to school with, people I've been on committees with, businesses, neighbors. I started with my address book at home, then my business contacts... We now do both the email/online fundraising and letter writing.

 

[Ratatosk]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

We did Great Strides the first year, as well. DS was 11 months old. This was the first walk in our community that the CFF had in YEARS, so we got involved with the planning, arranging the walk route, food & beverages, putting up posters.

We did the letterwriting campaign -- tweaked the form letter, which was available on the CFF Great Strides site -- sent it to everyone on our Xmas card list, friends, family, coworkers, etc. I sent letters to people I used to go to school with, people I've been on committees with, businesses, neighbors. I started with my address book at home, then my business contacts... We now do both the email/online fundraising and letter writing.

 

[Ratatosk]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

We did Great Strides the first year, as well. DS was 11 months old. This was the first walk in our community that the CFF had in YEARS, so we got involved with the planning, arranging the walk route, food & beverages, putting up posters.

We did the letterwriting campaign -- tweaked the form letter, which was available on the CFF Great Strides site -- sent it to everyone on our Xmas card list, friends, family, coworkers, etc. I sent letters to people I used to go to school with, people I've been on committees with, businesses, neighbors. I started with my address book at home, then my business contacts... We now do both the email/online fundraising and letter writing.

 

[SuperRyan]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hello

My son in 3 1/2 and we have done great strides for the past 2 years. The first year we raised $5000.00 from family and friends alone (as a result of email blasts and a letter writing campaign. The second year we raised another $5000.00 and it was from family and friends as well as from a benefit night we did at Hard Times Cafe in Bethesda MD. This year we are going to do a video email, letter writing campaign and maybe hit up a couple of restaurants. Many restaurants will offer to donate a percentage of proceeds of a nights sales then you just try to get as many friends and family to come to the restaurant on the particular date. The more money spent, the more of a cut you will get.

It is a great deal of fun. It is also easier to get money out of people than I originally anticipated. My brother owns his own t-shirt / screen printing business so I usually have him make personalized t-shirts every year for the walkers.

The hardest part for me is just finding the time to do all of this, but it needs to be done. I need to know that my family and I are doing our part to help find a cure.

 

[SuperRyan]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hello

My son in 3 1/2 and we have done great strides for the past 2 years. The first year we raised $5000.00 from family and friends alone (as a result of email blasts and a letter writing campaign. The second year we raised another $5000.00 and it was from family and friends as well as from a benefit night we did at Hard Times Cafe in Bethesda MD. This year we are going to do a video email, letter writing campaign and maybe hit up a couple of restaurants. Many restaurants will offer to donate a percentage of proceeds of a nights sales then you just try to get as many friends and family to come to the restaurant on the particular date. The more money spent, the more of a cut you will get.

It is a great deal of fun. It is also easier to get money out of people than I originally anticipated. My brother owns his own t-shirt / screen printing business so I usually have him make personalized t-shirts every year for the walkers.

The hardest part for me is just finding the time to do all of this, but it needs to be done. I need to know that my family and I are doing our part to help find a cure.

 

[SuperRyan]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hello

My son in 3 1/2 and we have done great strides for the past 2 years. The first year we raised $5000.00 from family and friends alone (as a result of email blasts and a letter writing campaign. The second year we raised another $5000.00 and it was from family and friends as well as from a benefit night we did at Hard Times Cafe in Bethesda MD. This year we are going to do a video email, letter writing campaign and maybe hit up a couple of restaurants. Many restaurants will offer to donate a percentage of proceeds of a nights sales then you just try to get as many friends and family to come to the restaurant on the particular date. The more money spent, the more of a cut you will get.

It is a great deal of fun. It is also easier to get money out of people than I originally anticipated. My brother owns his own t-shirt / screen printing business so I usually have him make personalized t-shirts every year for the walkers.

The hardest part for me is just finding the time to do all of this, but it needs to be done. I need to know that my family and I are doing our part to help find a cure.

 

[SuperRyan]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hello

My son in 3 1/2 and we have done great strides for the past 2 years. The first year we raised $5000.00 from family and friends alone (as a result of email blasts and a letter writing campaign. The second year we raised another $5000.00 and it was from family and friends as well as from a benefit night we did at Hard Times Cafe in Bethesda MD. This year we are going to do a video email, letter writing campaign and maybe hit up a couple of restaurants. Many restaurants will offer to donate a percentage of proceeds of a nights sales then you just try to get as many friends and family to come to the restaurant on the particular date. The more money spent, the more of a cut you will get.

It is a great deal of fun. It is also easier to get money out of people than I originally anticipated. My brother owns his own t-shirt / screen printing business so I usually have him make personalized t-shirts every year for the walkers.

The hardest part for me is just finding the time to do all of this, but it needs to be done. I need to know that my family and I are doing our part to help find a cure.

 

[SuperRyan]

Teach me...Please about "Great Strides

Hello

My son in 3 1/2 and we have done great strides for the past 2 years. The first year we raised $5000.00 from family and friends alone (as a result of email blasts and a letter writing campaign. The second year we raised another $5000.00 and it was from family and friends as well as from a benefit night we did at Hard Times Cafe in Bethesda MD. This year we are going to do a video email, letter writing campaign and maybe hit up a couple of restaurants. Many restaurants will offer to donate a percentage of proceeds of a nights sales then you just try to get as many friends and family to come to the restaurant on the particular date. The more money spent, the more of a cut you will get.

It is a great deal of fun. It is also easier to get money out of people than I originally anticipated. My brother owns his own t-shirt / screen printing business so I usually have him make personalized t-shirts every year for the walkers.

The hardest part for me is just finding the time to do all of this, but it needs to be done. I need to know that my family and I are doing our part to help find a cure.