Charity Walks Blog

The charity walk was scheduled to  start in about an hour and a half.  I was in my car and about five minutes away from the event. That’s when it hit my windshield…RAIN!

I was attending the Richmond Arthritis Walk in Richmond, Virginia.  It was my first time participating in this event so I didn’t know what to expect.  I did know the event was taking place rain or shine.

When I arrived, I was directed to park my car on the second level of the parking deck. The staff and volunteers were already moving tables out of the rain to the first level of the parking deck. That was the location most of the morning activities took place.

I was surprised by how many people arrived with their raincoats and umbrellas to take part in the charity walk.  The rainy weather wasn’t going to stop them from supporting a cause that was important to them. Fortunately, most of the rain subsided during the walk portion of the event. But on that morning, the participants were already prepared to walk in the rain.

We can’t control the weather.  The Richmond Arthritis Walk could have been a disaster because of the rain.  Instead, it was a tremendous success despite the bad weather. The success didn’t happen by accident. Here are some tips that should be considered for all charity walks, because this could happen at any outdoor event:

• Decide very early in the planning process whether you are going to hold the charity walk event “rain or shine” or have an alternate date scheduled in case of bad weather.
• Communicate your intentions to all participants so they are not wondering on the day of the event whether or not to attend.
• If you decide to hold your event if it rains, make sure the needed details are covered in all of your planning and preparation right up to the date of the charity walk.
• Maintain safety as a #1 priority throughout the event.

None of us want bad weather on the day of our charity walks.  However, when it does happen you’ll be glad that you prepared for it ahead of time.

Thanks,

p.s. You can view some of the photos I took at the Richmond Arthritis Walk at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogercarr/sets/72157623803852501/.

Photo credit: John Evans

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, arthritis walk, Bad Weather, Charity Event, charity walk, charity walks, Rain Or Shine, Rainy Weather, Richmond, Richmond Virginia, Umbrellas, virginia, Volunteers

Participants of all ages had a fun time at the 2010 Walk MS charity walk event in Fredericksburg, Virginia

I attended the Walk MS charity walk event in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was held at James Monroe High School on April 10, 2010.

Over 400 walkers participated and $36,000 was raised through this event (with several more weeks of fundraising to go) to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Participants of all ages were in attendance.

The event was fun! It had some great elements that I am sure required a significant amount of planning by the staff and volunteers. Some of those elements included:

• Music
• Raffle
• Sponsor booths
• Food (including pizza at the end of the walk)
• Tattoos (temporary of course)
• Banner signing
• Dog contest
• Decorations

Safety was not forgotten. There was a first aid station at the event, stations along the route and a local motorcycle group monitored the walkers as they walked the scenic route through historic Fredericksburg.

Virginia Senator Edd Houck was one of the VIPs in attendance. Two things surprised me about his participation. First, his speech was motivational and had nothing to do with politics. Second, he participated in the walk in support of his daughter who was diagnosed with MS a few years ago. He was an excellent “celebrity” for this charity walk.

Check out the photos below that I captured at the event. Go to http://www.IWalkforMS.org to learn more about the MS Walk.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: Charity Event, charity walk, charity walks, Edd Houck, Fredericksburg Virginia, James Monroe High School, Ms Walk, Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Multiple Sclerosis, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Volunteers, walk event, Walkers

More than 4 feet of snow has fallen so far in my area this winter. That is more snow than any other winter since 1895!

The snow has shut down roads and contributed to traffic accidents. It has closed businesses and schools. Events were canceled due to the snow.

We can’t control the weather, but we need to be prepared for the unexpected when it happens.

When you are planning charity walks, you don’t expect bad weather to happen at the same time as you scheduled the charity event. You don’t expect volunteers to be late (or not show up at all) for setting up and conducting the charity walk. There are a multitude of things that can go wrong.

To ensure a successful charity walk, consider what can go wrong and have a plan to address it.

Here are some examples:

• If it rains on the day of your charity walk, will the event take place as scheduled or will there be a backup date planned? How will you communicate this to your walkers and the community?
• If some of your volunteers aren’t able to show up on the day of your event, what can be done ahead of time to cover the need? You might schedule additional volunteers or have a list of people who are “on call” who can respond quickly in case of this happening.
• If electrical power goes down during the walk, is there a backup plan that doesn’t require the electricity or are there generators available?

While you plan your charity walks, identify potential things that could go wrong. Then develop ways to help prevent it from happening and/or have a plan on what to do if it happens.

Have you had a crisis happen at one of your charity walks because something unexpected happened? What did you do? What could have been done? Leave a comment below.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: Charity Event, charity walk, charity walks, Volunteers, Walkers, Winter Snow

Michael Gibbons, Founder of Buttons of Hope

Michael Gibbons, from Buttons of Hope, will be my next guest on the Charity Event Success radio show. The interview will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 2 p.m. Eastern. We will be discussing the 3 Simple Keys to Fundraising Success.

There are several ways to listen to the conversation:

• Call (347) 850-8340 to listen to the show live
• Listen to the streamed show from the host webpage at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/charity-event-success
• Listen to an archive of the interview will be available immediately following the show at same host webpage

I am excited about the interview and I hope you are too.

Thanks,

p.s. Be sure to leave a comment on the show page when you visit.

Technorati Tags: Charity Event, Fundraising, Fundraising Success, Michael Gibbons, Radio Show

One alternative to the traditional charity walk is a treadmill charity walk

Almost anyone can participate in a charity walk. That is one of the characteristics that is so appealing for this type of charity event. However, not everyone will be able to participate in your charity walk.

There are some people who aren’t physically able to walk the course you have planned. There are others who won’t be able to attend because it is not convenient.

Putting a twist on your charity walks by adding options can help include some of those who are unable to participate in your basic charity event.

Consider some of these add-on options to increase participation, awareness and fundraising:

Virtual Participation

The name virtual charity walk typically refers to a charity walk event being conducted in a virtual world via computer.  Second Life is one of the online virtual worlds where this is becoming popular. That is not the type of virtual participation I am referring to.

For some potential walkers, the location or the date/time of your charity walk will not allow them to participate.  Why not allow them to do their walk at a convenient location or date/time of their own choosing? Although they would not be a participant at the main event, they would fundraise and walk with the same passion and spirit. Each of these virtual participants would receive the great feeling that comes from supporting a great cause and the nonprofit organization would reap the benefits of reaping additional active volunteers and money to further the cause.

Treadmill Walk

Some participants are physically unable to participate in a traditional charity walk.  Westchester Square Physical Therapy (WSPT) of the Bronx is holding a Treadmill Walk-a-Thon as an alternative. Physical therapy patients and others in the community will be timed as they walk on treadmills.  WSPT’s treadmills to be used includes a therapy pool treadmill.

Aquatic Walk

An arthritis aquatics class conducts an aquatic walk each year in support of a charity walk in my local area. The aquatic walk is performed by participants “walking” laps around the pool.  Although it would be extremely difficult or impossible for them to participate in the traditional charity walk, the aquatic walk allows them to participate in a charity walk with a group of friends while benefiting the nonprofit organization.

Consider augmenting your charity walks with options that allow additional walkers  to participate. It can help those who have felt excluded from being able to participate in the past. It also can mean additional support and funding for your nonprofit organization.

Thanks,

p.s. Go to http://CharityWalks.ning.com and take advantage of the free signup at the Charity Walks Network. Learn additional ways to make your next charity walk event more successful.

photo credit: Mr. T in DC

Technorati Tags: Charity Event, charity walks, Fundraising, Nonprofit Organization, Physical Therapy Patients, Second Life, Treadmill, Treadmills, Walk A Thon, Walkers, Westchester Square, Wspt