Unbreakable Spirit Walk for OI: Learn how You can Create a Family Fun Day where Friends and Neighbors Walk or Wheel for OI! 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 1
Overview The Unbreakable Spirit Walk for OI program is a nationwide network of events that: Promote fitness; Raise awareness of OI; and Generate funds for research, education, and support for families. 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 2
Overview (con t) The OI Foundation provides you with the materials you need to be successful. Good locations include high school tracks, paths through local parks or recreation areas, and even shopping malls. We held 6 events in 2010 and 9 in 2011. To date, Unbreakable Spirit Walks have been held in CA, GA, IA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, PA and TX. 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 3
Help for Walk Organizers Combination brochures/pledge sheets Sponsor letters and reply forms Collecting pledges online Publicity within the OI community Event liability insurance OI Foundation banner and information resources Event T-shirts Possibility of National sponsors 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 4
Advantages of an Unbreakable Spirit Walk Potential to reach new people, particularly those with little connection to OI Low overhead costs Involves the whole family High income potential 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 5
Why would my neighbors participate? Affection for a friend or a child with OI Desire to do good and teach kids about philanthropy Great way to entertain the children Face painting, crafts, clown, games, etc., Tangible Benefits T-shirts for those who raise $50 or more and for event volunteers Donated food and drink, at some events Gift cards for participants who raise $250 or more If you have a $2,500+ sponsor, participants receive water bottles. 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 6
Naming Your Event We encourage you to name your event by using a variation on our current branding for this program, which is Unbreakable Spirit Walk for OI. For example: Unbreakable Spirit Walk for OI: Long Island Alle Shea s 4 th Annual Walk-n-Wheel for Better Bones 2nd Annual Unbreakable Spirit Rally for OI: KS Please note that we are no longer able to use language that includes Making Strides, due to another organization s existing trademark on the phrase. 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 7
Location, Location, Location! Good locations include school tracks, local parks, paths around neighborhood lakes, area malls, etc. You may need to request a permit or complete an application; start six or more months in advance, if possible! Are your location and its restroom facilities accessible to people with disabilities? Does your planned date conflict with other community events? (e.g., school graduations, local fairs, school vacations, holidays, etc.,) 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 8
Strategies for Raising Money Pledges raised by participants (paper & online) Sponsorships Raffles and/or silent auction Donation jars Matching gifts from each donor s employer 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 9
Online Fundraising Links to each event s fundraising pages are at www.oif.org/ue_upcomingevents. Participants will have the option to easily set up personal web pages and raise pledges online. They even can enter cash and check gifts on their pages and track progress on a donations thermometer. 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 10
Sponsorships Businesses will participate for some of the same reasons that walkers and wheelchair users do: They want to make a difference by improving lives! They want to be part of exciting, positive, and wellrun events in their community. They want to reach potential customers or clients. Tangible benefits (listed on the next slide) 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 11
Sponsorship Benefits (These vary by sponsorship level) Logo or name on T-shirts and/or water bottles Thank you signage (Table-top) Web link (on event web site and in e-mails) Exhibit table or ability to display a stack of literature. Display of sponsor's banner (provided by company) 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 12
Promotion Send e-mails and forward the OI Foundation s announcements of your event to everyone you know. Use Facebook events, Twitter and other social media sites Contact the assignment desk of local newspapers and TV stations E-mail or fax a press release to them several weeks in advance. Phone to make sure they received it Follow these steps again a couple of days before your event. Look for free community calendars (public access TV channels, newspapers, magazines, radio stations) 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 13
Sample event schedule 9 a.m. Registration Raffle, silent auction, and kids activities begin; T-shirts are handed out 10 a.m. Brief Program Welcome, Remarks about living with OI, Thank sponsors, Singing of the Star Spangled Banner, Group stretch 10:20 a.m. Walk begins 1 st lap by OI families, 4 laps by everyone, certificates handed to walkers at finish point. 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 14
Sample schedule (con t) 10:45 a.m. 12:45 p.m. Deejay with speakers, Donated water and pizza, Raffles and auction continue, Bean bag competition, Petting zoo, Face painting, Crafts table, Tae kwan do demonstration, Clown 12:45 p.m. Raffle and auction winners announced 1:30 p.m. Event ends; clean-up 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 15
Brochure/pledge sheet (OUTSIDE VIEW) Local contact information 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 16
Brochure/pledge sheet (INSIDE VIEW) Fitness goal Driving Directions Pledge sheet 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 17
Incentives for Participants Minimum Pledges 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 18
Big Ideas Extra activities for kids and adults can enhance your event in two big ways: Attract families Raise more money Have a clown, super hero or children s character visit Ask a radio personality to emcee Get the local news media involved Invite a local celebrity to lead the walk with the OI families 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 19
Getting Started Secure a place, date, and time for your event. Recruit dependable volunteers who will help you with the important stuff (below). Focus on: Fun Participants (Walkers and wheelchair users) Sponsors Promotion Logistics (Schedule, activities, event-day volunteers) Contact Stuart at the OI Foundation for ideas, resources, and more information at: STart@oif.org or 1-800-981-2663. 3/16/2012 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation 20