Meeting Place: Eagles Club (formerly The Elks) 917 15th Ave SE (use mapquest for driving directions or see map below)
Look for our TEAM NAME sign in the parking lot. I would like to get a group picture if possible before starting the walk.
If you have donations you still need to turn in or last minute registration, please make sure it's done after our group work is taken care of so it doesn't hold up the whole group.
Please be sure to check in with Mandy once you arrive, I want to make sure everyone is accounted for and ready to go.
For those who get prizes, I should have them with me on Saturday, please see me to get your prizes.
I can't wait to see everyone! And GREAT JOB on all the donations!!
Greetings and THANK YOU for joining me in the 2007 March of Dimes Walk America event! The March of Dimes thanks you, I thank you, and most of all, the babies thank you! Walk America day is almost near, so here is some valuable information for you!
Why volunteer for the March of Dimes?
So many things that we know today is because of the funds raised for and research done by the March of Dimes. Did you know that because of the March of Dimes we have the polio vaccine? We also know that tobacco, drugs and alcohol may cause serious birth defects and that folic acid can help prevent serious birth defects. Thanks to volunteers like you and the March of Dimes, these major developments have been discovered and have saved many babies and they hope to save in the future with their current campaign. In 2003, the March of Dimes initiated a campaign to reduce the rate of premature birth by 15% by the year 2007. By walking and raising money for cutting-edge research and innovative programs, our team can help us reach the day when all babies are born full-term and healthy. Did you know that 1 in 8 babies are born premature, and prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death? Now who would want this epidemic to continue?
How do I register for Walk America?
Well, since you’ve so kindly volunteered to participate with this team, the next thing to do is register for the walk. For those who participated in the walk last year, you’ll remember the morning of the walk was a little crazy with the amount of people registering and getting donations turned in. There are two options for registering for the walk this year and I would like everyone to be registered by April 15th. Obviously I won’t turn anyone away if you don’t get registered by then or find someone who would like to walk last minute…..but I would like to be a bit more organized this year. The first and easiest way to register would be to fill out the perforated inside flap of your collection envelope (enclosed) and to give the information to me. If you do this, please have it to me, or email me the information asked on this form, by April 15th. Second, you can register online through the March of Dimes website. www.walkamerica.org I also have links to the appropriate sites through my website, www.mandyanddennis.com/WalkAmerica.html Please let me know how you have or will be planning to register. Our team name is NICU Nurses, although you may still find it under St Mary’s NICU through the website or WSU Student Nurses. If you have difficulty with the registration please let me know. Everyone has to be registered before they can walk on Saturday (either online, mailed in registration form, or the day of the walk).
Do I really have to ask people for donations?
Fundraising can be a total downer to any fun activity or event, so I want to make it as easy on you as possible. Asking people for money is never an easy thing to do but surprisingly many people know of this organization and have strong beliefs in the cause, so it may be easier than you think. I’ve enclosed a letter that you can use as a template and send out as an email, make copies and distribute around your neighborhood or even workplace. Email is a great way to ask for donations and not feel so ‘pushy’ in doing so! The March of Dimes also has an online fundraising tool for those who would like to donate to the cause but may not live in the area. This has shown great success and I encourage everyone to try to get some online donations from friends or relatives! I’ve also enclosed a sheet that walks you step-by-step through the online fundraising tool. But beggars can’t be chosers, if you’d rather stick to the old fashioned way of getting donations, we will take the donations anyway we can get them.
What can I get for all my hardwork at collecting donations?
Not only do you see 74% of the funds you raise go toward this awesome campaign, you can win some great prizes. On the back of the collection envelope you’ll find the ‘incentive’ list for your donation drive. I am not going to set a goal for each individual on how much money I would like you to raise, but rather a team goal of $3500! Our two teams raised over $5000 10 2005 and I truly do think as a group, we can meet our goal and then someIf you raise over $150 yourself you will get the official 2007 March of Dimes T-shirt, so run right out and get those donations! Another great thing about this walk is the fun little ‘rest areas’ along the way which make the walking that much more fun and rewarding. There are pitstops every 8-10 blocks sponsored by different places in town. They hand out drinks, food and other little fun things. I even heard Cold Stone Creamery is going to be there, now that’s worth a 6 mile walk! ?
What time does the walk start and where do we meet?
The walk will begin at 8:30am on Saturday April 28th at the Elks Lodge in Rochester, MN. (917 15th Ave S.E.) We will all meet as a team near the front entrance in the parking lot. Just look for me and I will direct you on where to go next. Be sure to wear layers of clothing in case it warms up while we’re walking and wear COMFY shoes. Feel free to bring your kids and/or dogs (although dogs need to be on a leash and picked up after), what a great way to get them out in the fresh air! Just days before the walk, I will be collecting the donations that you have gathered and turning them in. I will make arrangements with you to get your donations from you, so if you can please have all your checks, cash and online fundraising (**and your walk registration) done by that date, it would be greatly appreciated. This way I can have your prizes all ready for you the morning of the walk. If you can’t have your registration and/or donations done by that time, we can do them the morning of the walk, but I’d like as many people ready to just go and walk that morning as possible!
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT MANDYBRE@MSN.COM
OR VISIT MY WEBPAGE AT WWW.MANDYANDDENNIS.COM/WALKAMERICA.HTML
Again, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you joining our team to help raise money and awareness of the March of Dimes. I look forward to seeing you at the Walk!