Fundraising for races is hard.

[PRmamiDEdos]

I have been trying to raise $1500 for Tuesday's Children since the beginning of January. My deadline is the end of next week and I'm so short of my goal it's not funny. I've sent letters, emails, made calls, hit my bosses up, but to no avail.

Has anyone here ever met or fell short of their race fundraising goals? Any secrets to share? My race is tomorrow and I'm going to send the letter and blast the fundraising site on Facebook and Twitter again.

Here's the letter I sent out a few days ago. It's a revised version of the original.


Dear Friends:

Well, March 17th is right around the corner and that means in less than one week I'll be running the NYC Half Marathon for a very good cause. I am running to fundraise for Tuesday's Children, an organization that directly benefits families that were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Over 3,000 children lost a parent on September 11th and over 1,600 individuals lost a spouse or partner. Since then, over 10,000 9/11 first responders have fallen chronically ill as a result of exposure to Ground Zero toxins. For the past 11 years, Tuesdays Children has offered these families vital, life changing programs that positively impact their lives through a wide-range of programs and services that address the unique challenges they face at every stage of their lives.Programs include: The Career Resource Center, Family Engagement, Mentoring, Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Programs, Financial Planning and additional Adult Programs, Helping Heals Community Service Programs, Project Common Bond and Counseling Services.

Every dollar I raise will make a difference. With your help, Tuesdays Children will be able to continue offering 95% of their programs completely free of charge to over 10,000 individuals impacted by September 11, 2001. Since 2009, there has been a 55% enrollment increase in Tuesdays Children programs, which shows that they still greatly need the communitys collective support. Being the wife of a police officer that was, and continues to be affected by the terrorist attacks, I know how important these programs are.

Tuesdays Children is an official Charity Partner in the New York City Half Marathon 2013. Each runner on Team Tuesdays has committed to raising at least $1,500 to help continue the essential programs and services for the thousands of families that make up the 9/11 community. Any donation that you are able to make in my name is extremely appreciated.

Attached, you will find a document named Tuesday's Children At a Glance. This document showcases some of the great opportunities that Tuesday's Children offers. Most programs are free and your donations can help keep them that way. Also, please feel free to visit the Tuesdays Children website for more information on their life changing programs and services at www.tuesdayschildren.org.

If you would like to help me run the New York City Half Marathon 2013 while helping Tuesday's Children, you can donate at this link through my Fundly fundraising page, http://fundly.com/nyc-1-2-marathon-to-benefit-tuesday-s-children , you can call 516-562-9000 or alternatively, you send a check directly to the organization; just don't forget to mention my name so they know how hard I've been working to help raise money for them.

Checks can be sent to:

Tuesdays Children

Attn:Amanda Story

390 Plandome Road Suite 215

Manhasset, NY 11030

If you know of anyone that would like to help, please forward this letter to them.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. This organization supports a cause that's dear to my heart. I don't like to think about how I could have been personally affected by 9/11/01, and I'm so thankful my family has remained intact, but I know others weren't as lucky as we are.

I thank you in advance for your support.

Warmest regards,

ShaeLee M. Diaz

 

[Sabeking]

All I can do is commiserate! I too had the same issue when I ran for Alzheimer's. it sounds like you have done all you can do. I can donate though!!!! I will go your link on the letter. Great cause!

How was your Disney run??

Andrea

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Andrea you rock!! Thank you.


The Disney marathon was HOT!!!! Tomorrow's half will be the compete opposite. I just can't win. LOL.

What was your goal when you ran for Alzheimer's? I picked this charity because DH is a Detective in the NYPD and I can't catch my breath when I think about that day. I am forever grateful to his CO. I happen to think DH needs the services they offer but won't use them, but I'm glad they have them for those that do. He worked the pile for months after 9/11. When you hear your DH say he still remembers the smell, it's a scary thing to hear.

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[dburg30]

I personally dont care what spin they are trying to put on it, people just arent spending money / dont have the money to spend. Or if they do they are trying to recover from 2008. I'm sure people would LOVE to donate to charities, they just arent or they are donating to the ones they like directly....

 

[Sabeking]

My pleasure! My situation was a little different and you would think it was easier but it wasn't . My friend at the time of the race was 40 and has Alzheimer's. Her daughter was my DD's best friend. Can you imagine having that disease so young with three children? Anyhow my goal was to raise a thousand dollars that would specifically go to an account for her care and was held by the Alzheimer's association. I would think it would have been easier raising for a specific person but I was really surprised that some close families to them did not contribute. All I can think was maybe they chose to give other ways.I'm not faulting them. I know sometimes people have specific charities they give to only based on a variety of reasons or they just don't have the money! I have a few specific I give to monthly but I always leave a little room to give to others I think are worthy. I wish you luck! Are you doing Disney next year? I can't decide yet...those conditions were brutal! Yuck.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Not running Disney next year. We're not going at all in 2013 so we can use our money to fix up the house and all the little things we've been putting to the side. We will be back in 2015 for the Goofy so I have plenty of time to train!!!

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[Sabeking]

Good luck on your run and fundraising. Let us know how it goes.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[goofeygirl]

Its a devil to raise money nowadays. I had a hard time trying to raise money for the St Jude race - I did the half marathon in Memphis in Dec...I did raise to the goal though. But it did open my eyes to real cheapos out there...I know ppl who HAVE the money and didn't fork over a dime yet ppl with very little usually threw in about 25 bucks.


A friend of mine did this....she went to a place like BJ's or Sam's and bought a box of a well known chocolate bar and then sold them each at work...She would leave the box there and a box for the money....and she said she raised a lot of money doing it that way. You will still have to buy the box of candy but its a quick easier way to raise money..and the spender gets a candy bar from it too.

 

[Ariel224]

I recently discovered the Facebook page called "Virtual Runs". Lots of people there host virtual races to raise money for all sorts of causes. The key to success there seems to be somewhat tied to the appeal of the medal being offered.

 

[Ariel224]

A friend of mine is raising money for a mission trip to Kenya. Her team is doing a pancake breakfast at Applebees restaurant next month. I know lots of our local restaurants have fundraising partnership opportunities of various types available. The bottom line, in my opinion, is that people seem more willing to give if they feel they are getting something in return, which will mean extra work on the part of the one trying to raise the money.

 

[dewingedpixie]

I've done a lot of fundraising 10s of thousands for the LLS over 5-6 years. Doing fundraising events really helps. The economy is so poopy right now it makes it super hard. Also try facebook you'll be surprised who donates. Dont be afraid to pester people they forget. Bake sales are great, as are bar nights. You can make a lot of money with a bar night. I also have done pampered chef nights.

I will start fundraising again soon though, but it may not be until late next year for the Goofy Challenge. I wont be raising funds for the LLS, but for an organization that really needs me the RPF (Rheumatoid Patient Foundation). As a runner with rheumatoid arthritis I think its important that I set an example of a person remaining active with a disease that is notorious for disability, and to raise funds for a condition that is hurting so many. I'm sure that 10k I want to raise wont come easy.

 

[kmg148]

I know you are short on time, but I have seen event fundraiser ideas popping up around me recently. The first thing that comes to mind is yoga or zumba. Maybe you could find a teacher (or maybe you know one personally) who wouldn't mind doing a free session and you could charge something like $10 for it.