minniebeth
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2006
- Messages
- 8,611
I can only comment on the experience I have with the charity we have run Marathon Weekend with for the past 7 years with, 2018 will be year #8~
I don't know how Team In Training is organized, but with the charity we are involved with, many of the families who the charity benefits participate in the week/weekend activities. Many of these families deal with illness, disabilities, etc. This weekend is the highlight of their year. Years ago, runDisney was very generous and flexible providing support to the charities in way of discounts, arrangements, accommodations, etc. Each year, runDisney has offered less and less by way of this support offered. Part of me thinks ok, prices of everything have gone up, so I guess the prices of everything race related will too. Part of me thinks they offer less and less because they just don't have to anymore. This race weekend in particular is popular, so no need to offer it. I've been told that because of this, less families are participating. They simply can't afford the increases (particularly resort rooms even at a group rate) and they need the accommodations such as access for the disabled for certain logistics. These families already have the burden of high costs throughout the year. So I know runDisney is not a charity in itself, but I think what makes Marathon Weekend so special is the spirit of MANY coming together and sharing in an amazing energy. The charities have long been a part of this. It's a shame that there may be less groups involved going forward due to that.
I think our charity has a great program set up for Marathon Weekend~ reasonable registration rates, very reasonable fundraising minimums, hotel discounts (although not what it used to be, lol), included dinners and race morning support tent with food, etc. An opportunity for two free nights at the resort where they have a block of rooms with a certain amount of funds raised, and once you pay your initial registration, your registration fee is waived for the following year with the minimum raised. (With the exception of Dopey, they still request a *small* registration fee for that...) My DS has run Dopey and Goofy for the past several years with little to no registration fees.
I'm not promoting the charity lol (but if anyone is interested, they can PM me.... shameless plug
) But even with all that goodness, yes, they are still having trouble recruiting at times. Saturation? or is it becoming unattainable? I think all the charities may be experiencing some of this...
I don't know how Team In Training is organized, but with the charity we are involved with, many of the families who the charity benefits participate in the week/weekend activities. Many of these families deal with illness, disabilities, etc. This weekend is the highlight of their year. Years ago, runDisney was very generous and flexible providing support to the charities in way of discounts, arrangements, accommodations, etc. Each year, runDisney has offered less and less by way of this support offered. Part of me thinks ok, prices of everything have gone up, so I guess the prices of everything race related will too. Part of me thinks they offer less and less because they just don't have to anymore. This race weekend in particular is popular, so no need to offer it. I've been told that because of this, less families are participating. They simply can't afford the increases (particularly resort rooms even at a group rate) and they need the accommodations such as access for the disabled for certain logistics. These families already have the burden of high costs throughout the year. So I know runDisney is not a charity in itself, but I think what makes Marathon Weekend so special is the spirit of MANY coming together and sharing in an amazing energy. The charities have long been a part of this. It's a shame that there may be less groups involved going forward due to that.
I think our charity has a great program set up for Marathon Weekend~ reasonable registration rates, very reasonable fundraising minimums, hotel discounts (although not what it used to be, lol), included dinners and race morning support tent with food, etc. An opportunity for two free nights at the resort where they have a block of rooms with a certain amount of funds raised, and once you pay your initial registration, your registration fee is waived for the following year with the minimum raised. (With the exception of Dopey, they still request a *small* registration fee for that...) My DS has run Dopey and Goofy for the past several years with little to no registration fees.
I'm not promoting the charity lol (but if anyone is interested, they can PM me.... shameless plug
) But even with all that goodness, yes, they are still having trouble recruiting at times. Saturation? or is it becoming unattainable? I think all the charities may be experiencing some of this...
