San Diego Camp Logistics are FUNDRAISING ANIMALS!

As captain of the Camp Logistics team in San Diego since 2005, I constantly look for challenges to present to the team. Typically, we find more activities during event to take charge of and own. This year, I wanted to try and challenge the team in a different way and so far, the results have been truly amazing. It was a little more than 2 months ago, I got together with a few people on my team interested in helping out on fundraising ideas. What came out of those meetings were 2 ideas. First, was a hosted event at the Miami Grille at UTC in San Diego (see older posts). Our first foray into public fundraising events turned out to be a great experience not to mention raising a nice chunk of change. The second idea was just a pure and simple raffle which for a mere $5, people could get a chance to win an iPod Nano.

This is where I really think the team has shined. Starting on November 3rd, I asked the team to participate and a few people stepped up. In less than 2 days, the raffle already raised $500. Six days later, the raffle is now posed to break $1,500!
Now here is the truly amazing piece, the raffle has sparked others on the team to fundraise and to do so even without the use of the raffle. When I first signed up for 2009, I set a team fundraising goal of $5,000. By mid-year, we were so close to that, I up'd it to $10,000. In the last few days, I bumped it to $15,000 and I am ecstatic to write that we are on the verge of breaking $16,000, needing only $44 more.

It is so encouraging to see people rally together for something truly needed, especially in times where people are closely watching their wallets. I am so proud to be associated with such a fine group of people who have not only raised over $15,000, but have yet to show their greatest contribution on the field at the 3-Day San Diego starting on November 19 and through the weekend!

Fundraiser at Miami Grille, UTC, San Diego, fetches just over $1,000

On October 17, a handful of Camp Logistics crew from San Diego held their first fundraiser event in a public forum. Starting in the 4pm hour, the crew fanned out at UTC in San Diego to let people know that Miami Grille was donating proceeds of certain menu items to the Camp Logistics team. Friends, family, and coworkers, were invited by the Camp Logistics crew the week before. The event turned out to be a great first foray into fundraising. Thanks to Miami Grille for putting up proceeds from 4 menu items. Even the salsa dance instructor got in on the action, donating money collected from salsa lessons at Miami Grille to the Camp Logistics crew.During the night, customers enjoyed the specific food items and raffle drawings just about every 1/2 hour. Prizes ranged from hair treatments to fishing trips and included some iPods as well! One of the lucky winners of an iTouch was a Miami Grille employee who bought a few tickets! The night wound down with some final drawings and an uptick in the salsa dancing. Fun was had by all and most importantly, the crew raised just over $1,000 in donated proceeds and raffle drawings! The Camp Logistics team overall has raised over $12k and is still working hard to bring in more money for breast cancer research, awareness, and prevention. The San Diego crew in general has already reached $95k in donations and the event is still 3 weeks away. This year, the 3-Day San Diego will start on November 20.

Excerpts from the Company newlestter

Today, I got to share a part of my story along with another employee who is a survivor. Here is the excerpt...

Treating it

When Holaday was in the midst of the treatment, her oncologist told her something that has stuck with her even today: We are getting good at treating cancer, now we need to prevent it.

“It is amazing to see how the treatments have changed over the years,” said Holaday. “My oncologist said it is both good news and bad news that there are so many diagnosed with breast cancer. On one hand, it is a horrible thing to deal with. But on the other hand, it means there is an increased awareness that leads to early diagnosis and treatment, and increased survival rates.”

That is one of the reasons why she has passion around breast cancer research. Each year she tries to do one walk or event that helps raise money for breast cancer research.

This year she participated in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Race for the Cure. She was joined by dozens of other Intuit walkers last month and raised more than $14,000. They walked in honor of Sandy O’Connell, an Intuit employee who died from breast cancer in January.

And at the beginning of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, other Intuit employees participated in the Breast Cancer 3-Day, also benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation. More than 1,700 walkers and crew raised almost $4 million.

“When I was younger and my mother had breast cancer, I didn’t know how to deal with my mother’s disease, nor did I have the resources to help,” said Andrew Kok, staff business analyst, and was a crew member at the Oct. 2-4 walk. “I only relied on my mother telling me that she would be fine. Today, I am lucky she is a 12-year survivor. Now, I want everyone to know that they aren’t alone and there are resources for people affected with breast cancer as well as resources for family and friends.

In November Kok will be a crew member at another breast cancer walk in San Diego.

Fundraising is important: SD Camp Logistics Crew Hosts Event This Saturday!

I have been working on 3-Day events since 2003. While that may not be as long as some folks I know, I do know that it is too many. That's why fundraising is so important. It seems as though there is never enough money to finally end breast cancer. If there was, I would be volunteering on a different event by now right?

That's why the 2009 San Diego 3-Day Camp Logistics crew will be hosting a fundraising event on Saturday, October 17 at the Miami Grille at UTC in San Diego (near UCSD)! There will be raffle prizes and salsa dancing for donations. Miami Grille is generously donating some of the proceeds from food and drink items to the Camp Logistics crew.

So please come out to the Miami Grille if you live in the San Diego area. The money raised will go to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.

Tomorrow is the day

Well, it's finally here. The San Francisco Breast Cancer 3-Day! Tomorrow begins the weekend for the Camp Logistics team which is an advance team sent ahead of the walkers and other crew in order to build the camp. Walkers and crew alike will sleep, eat, and shower at camp among other things. In their spare time, walkers can also enjoy the Camp Services area where they can send messages to people, lounge in some chairs with magazines, or get a massage from the Engergizer sponsored tent. So for the Camp Logisitics team, this is really the 4-Day!

Weather is expected to be amenable for the weekend. Layering is recommended as San Francisco has about 23 micro-climates. Camp will be situated near a body of water so the cold could be a factor especially at night. Day time highs are expected to be in the upper 60s for Thursday and Friday with a bit of cooling on Saturday and Sunday.

For those of you who are coming out to support the walkers, check www.the3day.org for spectators cheering sections along the route!

Good luck to all the walkers! Camp Logistics will be rooting for you!

3-Day Season is in the Air

The Breast Cancer 3-Day season is well under way. Cities like Cleveland, Denver, and Seattle have kicked off the tour with a bang. Today, the San Diego event preps the crew by hosting Crew Extravaganza along side the Expo which will show walkers what to expect during event. If people think that this event just magically happens, what they don't realize is all the preparations that go into getting ready. Early in the year, walkers are encouraged to start training to build stamina and endurance to go about 20 miles a day. Crew captains who help manage the event have to prepare their plans and teams. Event coordinators have to get permits and licenses to host the event. While 3-Day season lasts about 4 months, the preparations take almost the whole year. The most important thing is that all this prep work ends up raising millions of dollars that will go to breast cancer research and awareness.

Getting Creative in Raising Money to Fight Breast Cancer

Okay, so in the old days, I go door-to-door. A few years ago, I blast emails to a large distribution list. I have Facebooked for donations. Today, I took it one more level! I am currently vacationing in Hawaii and decided that since I am playing golf, why not see if anyone will help me raise money while I golf. So I posted on Facebook the fact that I am golfing and asked for people to donate $5 for every PAR I got. I am about a 14 handicap and usually shoot in the mid-80s. That's about 4-5 pars. Well, on short notice, I did manage to get someone to sponsor me. By the end of the round, I managed an 86 and got 6 pars! This has given me some other ideas for the rest of my vacation. Wonder what I could do for birdies!

$500 fundraising goal reached in 2 days!

So I set out to see if I could raise $500 in a day via social media, primarily FaceBook. After one day, I was 60% there. I posted about 3 times during the day to keep the posts fresh so people could see it. Today, I decided that I would try to get the remaining $200. My ask each day was for 50 people to step up and contribute $10 each. Yesterday started out promising with the first two people going above $10, with a $25 contribution each. This was then followed by a $250 contribution which got me to $300. Today, also started with someone going above the $10 mark with $25. After a $10 contribution from another friend, I up'd the ante by declaring a $10 match for the next 18 people who would contribute $10. I then got a contribution for $180 followed by another contribution of $60 and another for $20.

Here is the lesson I learned. Not everyone is going to donate, maybe it is not the right time or the right cause for them. However, the power of giving is huge even in these economic times. I made $590 in less than 2 days and if I throw in my $30 in matches, that is $620.

Don't underestimate the willingness of people to support a great cause!

FaceBooking for donations

So yesterday, I tried to "Dial for Dollars" using social media as a medium. I tried to raise $500 in one day for the San Diego Breast Cancer 3-Day. I feel I was largely successful as I made 60% of my goal, bringing in $300. I will continue my donation drive today by posting another request on FB as well as Twitter. I hope to get to $500 by then end of the week.

Another idea I will be trying in the near future is auctioning off some things on FB to see if I can raise even more money.

If you want to help me reach my $500 mark for this week, click on the DONATE icon on the right!

Looking to raise $500 today

Today I had to write a check to a colleague who is battling breast cancer. The team decided that it would be helpful to get her cleaning services for her and family of 5. What irked me so much is that we should be in a place where the checks we are writing to each other are for Christmas presents or birthdays.

So today, I posted on FaceBook to see if I can raise $500 today. Please help me reach this goal by clicking on the link or the DONATE image on the right of my blog!

Breast Cancer stops for no one...let's stop Breast Cancer!

Is this your time to make a difference?

Now more than ever, worthy causes need people to participate to make a difference in this world. That's why doing something to stop breast cancer is such an important cause for people to show up and make a difference. As I have blogged before, breast cancer doesn't stop because there is a recession. Men and women alike can be susceptible. There is always room for more awareness.

If you have heard about The Breast Cancer 3-Day, you may have heard how much of an impact the participants make with the millions of dollars raised. Well, I want to let you know that a set of those participants are the crew volunteers that help make the event run smoothly. It is a weekend full of camaraderie and team building that create permanent friendships, all while advancing the cause to stop breast cancer.

So if you have been wondering where you can fit in to make a difference in this world, consider volunteering for a crew team on The Breast Cancer 3-Day. It's the toughest job you'll ever love! Click on the link(s) below if you would like to join my team. Join by April 24 and receive a discount off your registration by entering TEAMS09 in the promo code.

San Diego
http://www.the3day.org/goto/drewscrewSD09

San Francisco
http://www.the3day.org/goto/drewSF09

Crewing is important, but so is fundraising

While the 3-Day season doesn't kick off for a few more months, there is an important topic that is under served by crew. We should fund raise! Yes, I said it. We should be raising money to support the event. I understand that we dedicate our time and commit to supporting walkers for 4 days. However, don't let the fact that there is not a $2,200 minimum stop you from raising money. Every dollar that you raise as a crew member helps to offset the cost it takes to feed you, track you, house you, and shower you (unless you don't take a shower all 4 days). If you add the fact that many of you got a discount for registering, it should be even more important to fund raise.

It doesn't take much to ask for a few dollars here and there. Ask folks to give up one month of their bad habit, like Starbucks. Add the fact that many companies match funds! You can easily turn $100 into $200. If you are out of ideas on how to raise money, ask your local CVC or even your captain. Some neat ideas I have heard in the last few weeks are sponsored dinners where portion of the proceeds are donated by the restaurant, quilts for sale that go to fund raising, garage sales where the monies raised are donated to the cause.

Not to brag, but to date, I have $2,500 in the bank for 3-Day. All I did was ask my company. Imagine what you could do if you just asked. The worst you get is "no."

Remember, in bad times, charitable institutions hurt more than in good times. People forget that there are still valid reasons to continue supporting worthy causes. Let us remind them that cancer doesn't stop just because there is a recession. Go out and get a $1 today. Tomorrow try for $2. Soon you'll get to $3. More often than not, you will end up with more than that.

3-Day is around the corner

So 3-Day season ended last November, but it is almost April and as Captains, we are already planning for this year. Numbers are down, which is probably due to the economy, but let's face it, CANCER doesn't stop, just because we take a break.

I highly encourage everyone who has been touched by breast cancer to do something today to help increase awareness, research for prevention, and medicines so that another person doesn't have to suffer through this horrible disease.

This year, I am doing another 2 events. I tried to go for 3, but it's just not in the cards this year. You will find me in San Francisco which will be October 2-4, and I will be in San Diego which is November 27-29. This year will prove interesting as I hope to take on additional responsibility for the event!

To all you captains out there in 14 cities across the nation, please get your crews involved and involved early! We need to build momentum now all the way up to event. Remind your crews that service to the event goes above all else including oneself!

If anyone has questions about event, you can find information on the Captains forum on Facebook or just hit me up directly!