 TeamWalk
Tips and Forms
The TeamWalk is a
pre-paid event. You raise sponsorships from your family and
friends for your
participation. This could be as a Walker at one of our
TeamWalks (walk or roll as little or as much as you'd like) or
as a Walker by Proxy, where someone does your walking for you
at the National Ohio TeamWalk. 100% of funds raised will support Research
Awards.
The most effective way to get sponsorships is to ask
people directly. The next-best way is a letter-writing
campaign. All donations are appreciated and they add up! You
can also ask for sponsorships from your place of work, civic
or religious group, places where you do business, etc.
Remember your company matching gifts program!
Letter Writing Campaign
Make a list of
everyone you know – friends, family, co-workers, businesses
you frequent and groups you belong to. For regular mail,
please enclose a pre-addressed envelope for them to use. We can
also prepare a personal TeamWalk webpage for you,
allowing your family and friends to link right to it and make
safe, online credit card donations. See
Flora's and Mark's personal TeamWalk webpage.
Sample Letter:
“I am writing
this letter to everyone I know because I hope you will support
me in an annual event that is very important to me and my
family. It’s the annual TeamWalk For Our Cures walkathon. I’m
going to participate in this event in (location) on (date).
(Or, I’m going to participate as a Walker by Proxy and a
designated Walker will walk for me on Oct. 2 in Columbus, OH.)
As you may know, I have (or family member has) a rare
neurological disorder called (HSP or PLS). This disorder
slowly damages the nerves that help me (walk, move my arms,
speak). It is progressive, and will make it more difficult for
me as time goes on. However, I hold on to a positive attitude
and make the best of everything life places before me because
there is so much to be grateful for (give a personal statement
here).
Although there is currently no cure, I have a lot of hope
because research is finally accelerating. Experts are hopeful
that cures can be found in this generation. But that, of
course, depends upon funding. The Spastic Paraplegia
Foundation was formed in 2002 as a foundation dedicated to
raising funds for research on these diseases. The TeamWalk For
Our Cures is our national fundraiser, and that’s why I’m
participating in it.
I realize that there are many charities that vie for your
attention but any contribution, large or small, will be
greatly appreciated. I hope you’ll return the enclosed
envelope to me by (date) or visit my online TeamWalk
fundraising page to make your online contribution at (URL). If
your company has a matching gift program, please include the
form so that your gift can be matched. Thank you so much for
your consideration!”
Email Campaign:
You can have your own TeamWalk Webpage with your photo and
letter where people can make online credit card donations
through PayPal, a secure site for online business. Email your
friends and give them a link to your website. See
Flora's Personal Page
for an example.
Your own mini-event!
You can also
organize a small Family and Friends Fundraiser! Hold a bake
sale, car wash or a spaghetti supper! Check with your company
or civic group to see if they can help! Or, ask your beauty
salon or other service shop to hold a special day where
proceeds support your cause!
Remember to inquire about company
matches!
Ohio National Conference and TeamWalk Weekend
Booklet
- contains all the information and forms needed for the
national weekend.
Or, just select the
Registration Form,
Sponsorship Donations Form, or
Program at a
Glance.
Local TeamWalk Connection
Sponsorship Forms
Canada (Vancouver, Sept. 10)
New
England (Newport, Rhode Island, Sept. 11)
MidAmerica (Norman, Oklahoma, Sept. 17)
Northwest (Pleasanton - near SF, California , Oct. 8)
New
York (Long Island, Oct. 16)
Southwest (Tempe, Arizona, Oct. 23)
There is currently no treatment to prevent, stop or reverse
the degenerative process in PLS or HSP. These diseases attack
one’s ability to walk, often leaving their victims in
wheelchairs. They can also rob people of the ability to use
their hands and arms, and even to speak or cause other neurological problems as well. The
Spastic Paraplegia Foundation is the only organization in the Americas that is
dedicated to raising funds specifically for HSP and PLS
research. The organization is 100% volunteer managed and the
TeamWalk For Our Cures is the national, community event to
raise funds for research.
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Why
Your Support Matters