Hello Good Walkers!
Jake and the crew at Life is good would like to give you a big HIGH FIVE for registering online to take part in the Good Walk for Kids at the June 20, 2009 Life is good Festival on Boston Common. We are going to have a blast together on this fun walk and at the day-long festival.
We are also going to make a world of difference for many of Greater Boston's most vulnerable children. Now more than ever, a growing number of kids who have been hurt by violence, poverty, and loss need our help. The funds we raise together will allow Project Joy, an exceptional nonprofit, to bring its healing play to kids in need. For more info on Project Joy's outstanding work, visit www.projectjoy.com
This page contains up to date information on the Boston Good Walk for Kids, including fundraising tips, a sample solicitation and more. Please check back periodically for further information leading up to the June 20th walk.
In addition, for complete information on the Life is good Festival on Boston Common, CLICK HERE.
Distance: 3 Miles
Route: Experience the beautiful new Rose Kennedy Greenway in bloom and soak up Harbor Walk views! The walk begins and ends at the Life is good Festival on Boston Common. Have your camera ready to snap scenic views throughout the walk.
Design: You wouldn't expect a straightforward stroll in the park from us, would you? Our smile-worthy design is chock full ‘o color, music, and interactive surprises all along the way.
Registration: Beginning at 9 a.m. on Boston Common. Register, pull on that fine tee, stretch, and get ready to roll.
Start-Time: 10 a.m
As you know, your registration fee and all of the funds you raise directly benefit kids in need through grants made by the Life is good Kids Foundation. Fundraising can be a simple and hassle-free process. Getting the word out to family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues can be easily accomplished by email and word-of-mouth.
We also have some great prizes to award to two registered fundraisers. One will go to the fundraiser who raises the highest total dollar amount online as of 6 p.m. ET on Friday, June 19. The other winner will be randomly selected. Each winner shall receive the following prizes:
- $300 in FREE driving from Zipcar. Zipcar will also waive the annual fee for the first year as well as the application fee. (Approximate retail value $375)
- Sweet Leaf Tea for a Year. Sweet Leaf Tea will provide 20 cases of Sweet Leaf Tea. (Approximate retail value $330).
- A full Sample Pack of Clif Kid products (Approximate retail value $150)
- A Life is good summer package featuring beach towels, beach cooler, beach toys, tees and hats. (Approximate retail value $250)
Here are a few fundraising tips to help you on your way.
1. Keep your donation emails short and sweet.
The easier they are for folks to read and act on, the better. See below for a sample email you can adopt.
2. If at first you don't succeed - email your folks again (and again!)
It's wise — and easy — to send out follow up emails to folks who have yet to make donations ("only two more weeks until my participation in the Good Walk for Kids. There is still time to be one of my donors. If you are ready, willing and able to help, click the link below...").
3. Embed a link to your personal fundraising page.
If folks can click on a link directly from your solicitation email to your donation page, they are more likely to make a donation. Just copy the URL address at the top of your personal fundraising page and paste it into your email. You can also add this link to all of your emails, following your signature.
4. Highlight the cause.
Be sure that donors know that every dollar goes to charity. A link to the charitable beneficiary, Project Joy, is included in the sample solicitation email so that donors can learn more about this fantastic nonprofit.
5. Use social media sites.
Many are now on Facebook, MySpace or other social media sites. Post information and make announcements to alert your network.
So start tapping that network. And best wishes on your big-hearted efforts to make a difference for kids in need!
Feel free to use this email as is, edit for your use, or craft your own.
Email Subject Heading: Can I count on your support?
Hello ___,
I'm writing to request your kind support for an important cause. I will be taking part in a fundraising walk called the Good Walk for Kids on June 20th in Boston and I would be very grateful if you can donate any amount to my fundraising page at [post your personal fundraising page here].
This 3 mile family-friendly walk is the opening event of the day-long Life is good Festival on Boston Common. The walk and festival raise money for Greater Boston's most vulnerable children. A growing number of kids in our area need support like never before. Will you help me help them get what they so dearly need?
All funds raised are donated to Project Joy, an exceptional non-profit that uses the healing power of play to transform children impacted by the trauma of violence, poverty, and loss. The funds will enable Project Joy to have a real, positive impact on Boston area kids. (For more info, visit www.projectjoy.com) Life is good Festivals have raised over $3.6 million for kids in the past several years.
Of course, I'd love for you to join me for the walk or the festival.
Visit http://www.lifeisgood.com/boston for full event info.
Thanks for giving whatever you can to bring support and joy to kids who truly need it.
My page: [post your page]
Your friend,
RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
Please note that if you have registered other walkers, these other walkers will be required to complete and submit the indemnity waiver that you submitted for yourself when you registered online. We encourage you to have them complete this in advance. Only walkers who have completed a signed waiver may participate in the walk. Parents or legal guardians must sign on behalf of minors under 18 years of age.
For a PDF of the waiver form, CLICK HERE.