TeamWalk
Tips and Forms
Tips and Sample Letter
Flyer
Remember that SPF is the only Foundation that raises funds specifically for
HSP and PLS!
Our TeamWalk is a pre-paid event. You collect sponsorships for your
participation, whether as a Walker or as a Walker by Proxy
in advance of the TeamWalk. Before your TeamWalk, and after collecting your
donations, fill out your Sponsorship Form and mail it and your
donations to SPF TeamWalk, P.O. Box 1208, Fortson, GA 31808. You can bring late donations with you to your TeamWalk.
Set a goal and make a plan. It's easier than you think. Ten people donating
$25 comes to $250. Plan what
to say if someone says "no". You probably won't receive a "no", but, if you have
a reply ready, such as, "Thanks for considering it; I know there are many worthy
causes out there." Then you'll feel more comfortable asking.
Make a list of your friends and family members. The most effective way to get
sponsorships is to ask people directly so begin by sharing what you are doing
with others and asking for their support. The next-best way is a letter-writing
campaign. Write a personal letter, telling people what you are
doing and that you are asking for their support. See the
Sample Letters below.
It's best provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope for them to return their
contribution to you.
Aside from family and friends, here's who else you can ask either directly or
through mail:
- Your place of work - and remember your company matching gifts program!
- Your civic group or religious organization
- Places you do business. Consider your hair salon, post office, grocery
store, dry cleaners, dog groomer, favorite restaurants, gas station, etc. If
you are a regular customer, it's likely they'll be happy to support you, too!
- Run a little fundraiser. Consider a bake sale or car wash, or hold a
spaghetti supper.
You can also do an email campaign. While this generally has the lowest
response in getting sponsorships, it can be helpful for those who are very
comfortable doing business on the internet. We can create a personal TeamWalk webpage for you
and they can make their online credit card donations through PayPal. See the
personal TeamWalk webpages for Anna
Bonanni and Glen Smith.
If you feel shy about asking for sponsorships...
Remember that now, more than ever, we can make a difference. Research is
accelerating and finally, there is real hope for a cure. You probably ask
people to support other causes, like your child's scout troop or band, so why not
ask for support for something that's critical to you? Every donation is
appreciated and it adds up!
From a first-time Walker by Proxy
From a Walker by Proxy who participated last year
From a first-time Walker
From a Walker who participated last year
Letter to the businesses you frequent
From a first-time Walker by Proxy
Dear family and friends,
I am writing this letter to everyone I know because I hope you will support
me in a special annual event that is important to me.
Some of you know I have a rare neurological disorder called (HSP or PLS). This
disorder affects the message center that helps me (walk, move my arms, speak).
It is progressive, and it will make it harder for to manage daily life and do
the things I enjoy. 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.
Although there is currently no cure, research on my disorder and similar ones
is accelerating. Researchers believe there it great potential for a cure in this
generation. That gives me great hope.
There is a Foundation that is dedicated to finding the cure for my disorder. It's called the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation (SPF).
The SPF is holding a TeamWalk walkathon on October 6 in Pleasanton,
California. Although I can't go, I am participating in
a very special way as a Walker-by-Proxy. That means a designated Walker will walk for me and wear my name tag. I am
going to send in my photo to be placed on the Walker by Proxy board along with
the others who are helping from afar.
I want to do everything in my power to help cure my disorder so I am asking
you to sponsor me as a Walker by Proxy. I know there are many worthy causes, and probably many that you support. This one is important to me, so I
hope you can consider helping in any way that you can. Donations are tax
deductible and the tax number is 04-3594491. Your contribution for TeamWalk will
support Research Award on my disease.
This is a pre-paid event, so please return your check made out to Spastic
Paraplegia Foundation in the mail to me by September 20. Thanks so much for
considering this!
From a Walker by Proxy who participated last year
Dear family and friends,
It is that time of year again, and I hope you can consider helping with a
special annual event that is important to me.
You may remember that last year, I was a “Walker by Proxy” in the annual
TeamWalk walkathon to raise funds to help find the cure for my disorder. Although I didn’t
actually walk in it, a special Walker walked for me and carried my name and
spirit. Thanks to everyone's support, this event raised a lot of money, allowing
the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation
to give out important Awards for research on my disease.
This year, the TeamWalk will be held on October 6 in Pleasanton,
California. I
wish I could go this time, but I can’t, so I will again be a Walker by Proxy.
That means I will participate in spirit and a designated walker will walk for me
and wear my name tag. I am going to send in my photo to be placed on the Walker
by Proxy board along with the others who are helping from afar.
I still want to do everything in my power to help cure my disorder so I am asking
you to sponsor me again as a Walker by Proxy. I know there are many worthy causes out
there, and probably many that you support. This one is important to me, so I
hope you can consider helping in any way that you can. Donations are tax
deductible and the tax number is 04-3594491. Your contribution for TeamWalk will
support Research Awards on my disease.
This is a pre-paid event, so please return your check made out to Spastic
Paraplegia Foundation in the mail to me by September 20. Thanks so much for
considering this!
From a first-time Walker
Dear family and friends,
I am writing this letter to everyone I know because I hope you will support
me in a special annual event that is important to me.
Some of you know I have a rare neurological disorder called (HSP or PLS). This
disorder affects the message center that helps me (walk, move my arms, speak).
It is progressive, and will make it harder and harder to manage daily life and
do the things I enjoy. 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.
Although there is currently no cure, research on my disorder and similar ones
is accelerating. Researchers believe there it great potential for a cure in this
generation. That gives me great hope.
There is a Foundation that is dedicated to finding the cure for my disorder. It's called the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation,
Inc. (SPF).
The SPF is holding a TeamWalk walkathon on (date and location). I am excited
because I will be participating in this event, along with many other people with
my and similar disease. We will be walking, strolling or rolling as much as we
can. I'm not
sure how much I will do, but I will do my best.
I want to do everything in my power to help cure my disorder so I am asking
you to sponsor my participation. I know there are many worthy causes out there,
and probably many that you support. This one is important to me, so I hope you
can consider helping in any way that you can. Donations are tax deductible and
the tax number is 04-3594491. Your contribution for TeamWalk will support
Research Awards on my disease.
This is a pre-paid event, so please return your check made out to Spastic
Paraplegia Foundation in the mail to me by (give date). Thanks so much for you
for considering this!
From a Walker who participated last year
Dear family and friends,
It is that time of year again, and I hope you can consider helping with a
special annual event that is important to me.
You may remember that last year, I walked (using my cane, walker, wheelchair)
in the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation's TeamWalk walkathon. It
was held in (location name). It was exciting to meet other people battling this
disease and to do something to help find our cure. Thanks to everyone's support, the Spastic
Paraplegia Foundation was able to give out important Awards for research on my
disease.
This year, I am participating again because I want to do everything I can to
help find the cure. I am
again asking
you to sponsor me. I know there are many worthy causes out
there, and probably many that you support. This one is important to me, so I
hope you can consider helping in any way that you can. Donations are tax
deductible and the tax number is 04-3594491. Your contribution will support
Research Awards on my disease.
This is a pre-paid event, so please return your check made out to Spastic
Paraplegia Foundation in the mail to me by (give date). Thanks so much for you
considering this!
Letter to the businesses you frequent
Dear (name of person who owns business),
As you may know, I am one of your frequent customers. I ... (explain how you
use their product/service and how often, etc.).
I am writing this letter because I hope you will support me in a special
annual event that is important to me. I have a rare neurological disorder called
(HSP or PLS). This disorder affects the message center that helps me (walk, move
my arms, speak). It is related to other diseases you may have heard of, like
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease). It can be mistaken
for other more common disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis or Cerebral Palsy.
Although there is currently no cure, research is accelerating and I have
great hope that the cure will be found in this generation.
I want to help speed the cure, so I am participating in a TeamWalk walkathon on
(date). This event is sponsored by the Spastic Paraplegia
Foundation, a foundation that is dedicated to my disorder.
I am asking
you to sponsor my participation. I know your business probably gets lots of
requests for support, and I hope that you can consider this one. Donations are
tax deductible and the tax number is 04-3594491. Thanks so much for considering
this!
Sponsorship Form
to be used for any of the TeamWalks or as a Walker by Proxy
- mail in with your sponsorships before your TeamWalk
Tips and Sample Letter
Flyer
 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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