MS Challenge Blog -- Walking Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for a cure for multiple sclerosis

Fundraising Tip #15: Promoting your fundraiser on the event calendar

Written by Ken on August 18, 2010 at 2:38 pm

Some folks rely solely on solicitation letters for their fundraising. Others — especially teams — complement this approach by hosting a variety of events, from dinner parties to yard sales to bowlathons. But no matter how creative the occasion and passionate its hosts, fundraisers need promotion to attract a potential donors. So what's the easiest way to promote your event?

Why, by letting us do it for you, of course!

No doubt you've seen many fundraisers listed on this site over the summer. The next month continues to be filled with such opportunities. A quick look at the calendar shows a baseball game in Dracut and a clambake in Denver this Saturday; a restaurant outing and a training walk on Sunday; a dinner in Portsmouth on Tuesday; a pottery-painting party next Wednesday; and a baseball game and a training walk next Sunday. Phew! Many of you are intent on those last-minute fundraisers, apparently!

It's not too late to be included on this list — just fill out this online form with your event details. This will put the event on this blog's homepage, where it'll be seen by hundreds of people and emailed to more; put it on our Facebook page, where it will show up in our hundreds of fans' news feeds; and even get it tweeted, where Boston-area event calendars might see it.

There are a few caveats: the event calendar is not well-suited for recurring events (eg, something that happens every Tuesday) or events that have no specific time or place (such as an online sale). But submit these events anyway, and we'll work with you to find ways to publicize it.

Getting others to promote your event for you is more tactful than your own blatant plugs, but it's worth doing both. If you're on Facebook, post your Challenge Blog event listing to your own Facebook profile and invite your friends to come.

May all your fundraisers be the successes they deserve!

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Ken, a Worcester resident, joined the MS Challenge Walk in 2005, more than a decade after his mother was diagnosed. After walking for three years and 150 miles, he switched to the support crew and now rides his bicycle along the trail, providing whatever encouragement (and snacks!) he can to the 600 walkers. He is also on the event's steering committee and is this site's webmaster.

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Paint your own pottery

Written by Events on August 17, 2010 at 1:30 pm

Start:: Aug 25, 2010 7:00 am
End:: Aug 25, 2010 8:30 pm

Venue:: Look What I Made
Address: Google Map: 4 Lowell Road, North Reading, MA, United States, 01864

Come to Look What I Made and paint your own pottery! You can chose from a wide variety of items. Paint stencils and other creative materials are provided. Once complete, the item is microwave- and dishwasher-safe! Appetizers will be provided.

Twenty percent of sales will benefit the fundraising efforts of the Northshore Warriors Team.

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This is the events calendar, featuring official NMSS rallies and meetings as well as volunteer-sponsored fundraisers. Want to see your event listed here? Please submit the details, and we'll add it!

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Water, water, everywhere

Written by Jacqueline on August 16, 2010 at 11:12 am

One of the most important things you can do for your body over the course of the MS Challenge Walk is to keep it hydrated. But be careful of too much water or too much Gatorade; too much of either can cause electrolyte imbalances in your body and cause you to become sick.

Hyponatremia, or water intoxication (overdose), is caused by drinking too much water. This causes the sodium levels in your blood to become too low. Excessive sweating can also lead to hyponatremia. The early warning signs are often similar to dehydration: one may become nauseated, have muscle cramps, become disorientation or confused. The opposite condition is hypernatremia, which is too much sodium. This and hyperkalemia (too much potassium) may be caused by excessive drinking of Gatorade. The wrong amount of sodium or potassium can cause irregular heart rhythms. The best bet is to alternate water with Gatorade to keep your electrolytes properly balanced.

The best way for to avoid electrolyte imbalances and prevent hyponatremia is to plan ahead by training in the same conditions you will encounter during the walk. Here are some additional hydration recommendations:

Use a sodium containing sports drinks during long distance, high intensity events (more than 60-90 minutes long).
Increase salt intake per day several days prior to competition (except for those with hypertension).
Try not to drink more then you sweat.
Avoid use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) medicines that contain sodium. Research suggests that these drugs may predispose runners to hyponatremia.

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Jacqui is a registered nurse working in home dialysis, living in Denver, Colorado. Born and rasied in Gray, Maine, Jacqui was diagnosed with MS in 2003 and has been participating in the MS Challenge Walk since 2007. This year is the first time she's had her own team, Whittaker's Warriors.

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Dinner at Cafe Mediterraneo

Written by Events on August 15, 2010 at 10:05 am

Start:: Aug 24, 2010 5:00 pm
End:: Aug 24, 2010 9:30 pm

Venue:: Cafe Mediterraneo
Address: Google Map: 119 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH, United States, 03802

Come and dine on fine Italian Fare in a casual setting!!! Cafe Mediterraneo will donate a portion of the proceeds from dinner service to team Biogen Idec Challengers.

Reservations are strongly suggested 603-427-5563. When you call PLEASE tell them that you are coming in to help out the National MS Society.

You will not be disappointed!

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New England clambake

Written by Events on August 14, 2010 at 10:04 am

Start:: Aug 21, 2010 12:00 pm
End:: Aug 21, 2010 8:00 pm
Cost:: $25

Venue:: Washington Park
Address: Google Map: Kentucky and Downing, Denver, CO, United States, 80209

Whittaker's Warriors is holding a New England Clambake and BBQ to help raise money for the Challenge Walk. Cost is $25 pp for the BBQ, $45 pp for the Clambake. We will have lots of great prizes to raffle and auction including a pair of dynastar men's skiis valued at over $1000! All raffle and auction items are available online for those who can not attend. If you know anyone in the Denver area, send them our way!

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My version of crew training

Written by Jill on August 13, 2010 at 12:06 pm

Wow! Only a month until the MS Challenge Walk. I better start doing some training.

Crew training, that is. There's the official training session that the chapter just held, but I'm referring to the training that we all do on our own. Here's how I recommend my fellow crew members prepare for the big event:

Rest your vocal cords for the next month. Keep talking to an absolute minimum, because you are going to need all your cheering volume when the walk rolls around in September.
Toughen your hands by practicing clapping for extended periods of time. Otherwise, your hands will be stinging shortly after you start on the first day, and you will have no feeling in them by the end of the weekend.
Give up all pretenses of dignity as you prepare your outfits for the themed rest stops (when I think of some of the things I have worn).
Make sure you know what poison ivy looks like (I have sat in it twice now). The pink calamine lotion doesn't look good on anyone.
Make sure you practice your picture-taking skills and that you're on the right side of the camera when #3–4 happen.
Prepare to have a great weekend!

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Jill lives in East Taunton with her husband and a very annoying cat. She was diagnosed with MS a little over 10 years ago when she was 24. She has been participating in the Challenge Walk since the beginning as a crew member and can also be found at many other fundraising events.

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Fundraising Tip #14: Sell jewelry

Written by Jodi on August 11, 2010 at 11:27 am

Fundraising year after year for your event can be tough, right? Instead of trying to do all of your fundraising in the few months leading up to the event, consider fundraising all year long!

This year is my first being involved with the MS Challenge Walk. I am a crew member and will be in The Big Tent. I've previously walked in the Boston MS Walk for the past two years; in total, my team has raised over $18,000! If you had asked me two years ago, if we could ever raised this much, I would have said "No way" — but we did it, and I'm already fundraising for the 2011 Boston MS Walk.

I have found that for me it is less overwhelming to do a little fundraising all year long. The past two years I sold "MS Awareness Bracelets" that my friend made for me. Since I had to pay for only the supplies, I was able to raise a good amount of money — and my friends and family are now wearing beautiful bracelets for MS.

This year, I am selling "Rings for MS" that I made myself. So far, everyone loves them! I started last week carrying them with me everywhere I go and show them to everyone I meet. I've already sold 20 rings at $20 each, and I hope to see at least 75 by walk day in April.

I find selling something works well. People love new jewelry, especially when they can get it for a good price and help a great cause. Often the same people who buy something from me are willing to make a straight donation closer to walk day! I'm always looking for new things I can make and sell as a fundraiser.

I've also found Facebook, Twitter, and my personal blog to be really helpful tools when fundraising. In 2010, I sent personal messages to each of my Facebook friends and found that people I haven't talked to in ten years were willing to donate. I also posted regular updates in my status. Following the walk, I started my blog for the main purpose of sharing my journey with MS and as a fundraising tool. I'm hoping it will help as the 2011 Boston Walk approaches.

This fall I hope to host my first fundraiser at a bar with a silent auction. I've never done this before, but I've heard they can bring in a lot of money. So I'm excited to plan this event and get together with all of my supporters.

Doing a bit at a time has really helped me fundraise. It works well for me, and I'm always trying to come up with new ideas.

I wish you all good luck as the Challenge Walk approaches. I hope you have met your goal and enjoyed your fundraising.

See you in the big tent!

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Jodi was diagnosed with MS in September 2009 and quickly got involved with the Greater New England MS Chapter. She has participated in the Boston MS Walk for the past two years with her team, The Bean Team. This year she has also joined the crew for the MS Challenge Walk! She lives and works in the Boston area as a medical social worker at a local hospital.

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What to expect at the medical tents

Written by Jacqueline on August 9, 2010 at 10:45 am

I have had the opportunity to experience the medical tents both as a walker and as a nurse. The medical crew is available for everything you may need as a walker or as a crew member. As a walker you may develop sore, blistered feet; the crew will mend you with ointments, bandages, gauze, and advice. You may develop sore or swollen joints; the crew will ice and wrap you up! Maybe you will suffer a bit of dehydration or heat exhaustion. They will cool you down and nourish you with fluids. Aches and pains? A little Tylenol or Advil will do!

The main medical tent is available at the Sea Camps from 6 AM until the last patient leaves, and each rest stop has a medical station with nearly everything you might need on your two-day, 30-mile journey. Should the need arise for more intensive medical treatment, the crew will stabilize you until more advanced care arrives.

As a walker my first year, I was treated with TLC, and I saw all walkers treated that way. As a nurse on medical crew my second year, I treated everyone with the same TLC! But no matter how well you're treated, the best care is preventive. Over the next few Mondays, I'll give some medical advice that you can use to take care of yourself and avoid any medical emergencies. Stay tuned!

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Two Days, 50K