Charity Walks Blog

A long-term staple of charity walks is the t-shirt. Not just any t-shirt. This is a shirt that has a graphic advertisement on the front promoting the charity walk and many smaller ads (usually logos) on the back promoting the charity walk sponsors.

As walkers wear these t-shirts during the charity walk event and in their community after the walk, the shirt becomes a mobile billboard for promoting the cause, nonprofit organization, and sponsors. For many charity walk events, this shirt is sold as a big reason for potential sponsors to provide support to the event.

Imagine an army of people gladly wearing these t-shirts at the walk and around town throughout the year. It sounds great, right? Even fellow blooger, Lee Gaverick, recently wrote about the benefits of using walkathon t-shirts in her blog post And Now, A Word about Walkathon Sponsors. So why would I suggest that the use of the charity walk t-shirt needs to be reexamined?

Problems with Charity Walk T-Shirts

I am starting to see a trend at the charity walks I attend. It is not a good trend when it comes to the use of charity walk t-shirts. Although the issues I raise are based on anecdotal evidence, it is enough that I believe the topic needs discussing.

Here are some of the problems regarding charity walk t-shirts that I have observed at charity walks:

Walkers are not wearing the t-shirts at the charity walk event

At recent charity walks I attended, less people appeared to be wearing the charity walk t-shirt during the walk. Some of them are doing this because they are wearing custom t-shirts representing their fundraising team.

This is exciting because it shows teamwork and team pride in supporting the cause.What was surprising and disturbing was how many people (who weren’t wearing a team shirt) received the charity walk t-shirt and didn’t wear it during the walk.

Maybe wearing the charity walk t-shirt is no longer considered “cool” or maybe it is not convenient to change or pull it over whatever shirt is already being worn. Regardless, this defeats one of the main reasons for proving t-shirts for the charity walk event.

Walkers are not wearing the t-shirts after the charity walk event

Several years ago, I used to see people wearing charity walk/run t-shirts out in public from time to time.  I almost never see someone wearing one of these t-shirts now. This is disappointing.

There is no sponsor promotion occurring as long as the t-shirt is folded in the bottom of a dresser drawer or being used as a cleaning rag.

T-shirts are not effective advertising for sponsors

It is hard for me to believe that anyone has done business with a sponsor because they saw the logo on the back of a charity walk t-shirt. I don’t believe I have. Have you?

I have thrown my business to companies because they supported a charity walk. However, I learned about that company and their charity walk support through other ways.

What Can You Do About the Charity Walk T-Shirt?

If your walkers are wearing the charity walk t-shirts, keep doing what you are doing. Depending on the location and demographics of your walkers, the traditional charity walk t-shirts may be just what is needed. However, if you are observing some of the issues I identified above, consider making a change:

Redesign charity walk t-shirts to eliminate the billboard on the back

There are many methods you can use to benefit sponsors. Use your imagination to come up with more effective ways to promote sponsors of your charity walk event than they are getting through a printed logo on shirts. Check out these blog posts to give your imagination a kick start:

• Use Incentives to Hook Sponsors
• Unique Sponsor Incentives

With the sponsor ads removed, the t-shirt should now sport a design that people would be proud to wear at the walk and at many other times.

Offer other fundraising incentives

Is the main reason you are offering t-shirts to encourage fundraising? What other inexpensive items would your walkers value that you could use as an incentive for raising more funds for the cause? If you want it to continue to be a piece of clothing consider something like a baseball cap that identifies your charity walk or nonprofit organization on the front (or back).

Implementing a creative way to recognize the walkers who raise a certain amount of funds may be even more effective than offering prizes.

Sell t-shirts to walkers

One way to help eliminate t-shirts going unused is to provide them to only those who want them. One way to do this, and raise some additional funds at the same time, is to sell them. You can have the walkers order the shirts online and/or have the shirts available at the charity walk ready for the participants to purchase. If you do make them available to buy at the event, limit the supply so you are confident they will sell or design the shirt so it can be sold at other times.

What do you think of my ideas regarding charity walk t-shirts? Have you seen the trends I have experienced or do you believe the charity walk t-shirt is here to stay for the long run? Please let me know in a comment below.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: Charity Event, charity events, charity walk, charity walks, Custom T Shirts, Fundraising, Nonprofit Organization, T Shirt, Team Pride, Teamwork, Walkers

Mango, banana, and chocolate are a few of the flavors of frozen custard that were available this afternoon at my favorite deli. It is great to have a choice. Providing choice appeals to more people and allows variety.

Charity walks also come in multiple flavors to meet different needs and to include people with different interests and abilities. I have divided charity walks into five different types:

Awareness Walks

An awareness walk is a charity walk that is held for the primary purpose of rising awareness for a cause, not for raising funds.

A good example of this flavor of charity walk was the Walk for Healthcare. Dr. Ogan Gure walked from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC to raise people’s awareness of the problems in the healthcare system. He also used it as an opportunity to collect stories from people who have been personally affected and share those stories with the world.

Walkathons

A walkathon is the flavor of charity walk that is the most common. Individuals and teams meet together and walk for a set distance or time. Funds are raised for a cause through sponsorships, donations raised by the personal fundraising efforts of the walkers, and/or registration fees.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is a good example of a walkathon. This walkathon is a signature fundraising event for the organization. Although fundraising is a primary purpose of the event, there are many additional benefits that come from holding the event as well.

Hybrid Walks

A hybrid walk is basically when a walkathon is combined with other events. Several charity run events are adding a charity walk component to increase participation. But runs are not the only events that are being combined with walks. There are events that include biking, dancing, duck racing, and many other creative combinations.

A good example of this flavor of charity walk is the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk. This event started out solely as a charity run event and has expanded to include walkers as a prominent part of the event.

Virtual Walks

A virtual walk is an extension of another type of charity walk. Some people will not be able to directly participate in a charity walk because it is located too far from the walkers home or the potential participant is not able to physically walk at the event. Virtual walks allow people to participate by participating in their own community or in another way they can physically participate. Walks can be supported by methods including “walking” laps around a pool and walking on treadmills.

A great example of this flavor of charity walk is Food For The Poor’s Walk for Hunger event. They are only able to manage a single charity walk in their local area. However, they recognize that many people outside of their area will want to participate as well. So they are encouraging anyone to sign up and walk in their own community for the cause.

Virtual World Walks

If you have never joined a virtual world, this flavor of charity walk may not make much sense to you. However, every year there are many people sitting at their computers controlling a computer generated avatar that participates in a virtual world charity walk and raises funding for a cause.

An example of a virtual world walk is the National Down Syndrome Society’s Second Life Buddy Walk. Although this walk was held in a virtual world, it still included things like sponsors, auctions and live entertainment. Imagine, it wasn’t that many years ago that this was considered science fiction. Now we are holding charity events using this technology!

Are you aware of other types of charity walks I haven’t captured in these five categories? I would love to know what they are. Do you have a favorite type of charity walk that you enjoy participating in? Please leave a comment and let me know.

Thanks,

Photo credit: Becco Eliacik

Technorati Tags: American Cancer Society, arthritis foundation, Charity Event, charity events, charity walks, Duck Racing, Fundraising Event, Healthcare System, Relay For Life, Walkers

There have been several articles and blog posts written lately suggesting that there are too many charity runs and walks. One of these posts is at http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2010/05/running-toward-an-awareness-overload.html.

I decided to examine the online community calendar of my local newspaper in Fredericksburg, Virginia. For today, the events listed include:

• 17 music events
• 4 art exhibits
• 3 theater events
• 2 book signings

Is it likely that people will complain about the promotion of too many music events? Art exhibits? I doubt it.

It is recognized that people have different tastes in types of music and art so multiple events on a given day are expected. So why isn’t it recognized that people have different passions regarding causes? Why isn’t it recognized that these charity events help provide nonprofit organizations with money, volunteers, public awareness, advocacy and partnerships with community businesses that are needed to make a difference?

What isn’t discussed is how many people are participating in these events. What isn’t discussed is how successful they are.

If there was true awareness overload, participation would dwindle, donations would evaporate, and sponsors would disappear. But that isn’t the case for most of these events. These events require hard work by many nonprofit staff and volunteers. They would be canceled if there wasn’t a good return on investment.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

Thanks,

Photo credit: ramzi hashisho

Technorati Tags: Advocacy, charity events, charity walks, Community Calendar, Fredericksburg Virginia, Music Events, Nonprofit Organizations, Nonprofit Staff, Partnerships, Passions, Public Awareness, Return On Investment, Volunteers

The Charity Walks Network launched today.  It is a free social networking site for people who are  passionate about charity walks. I am excited about the impact this network of do-gooders can have on the world of charity walks.

At the Charity Walks Network there is a forum to ask and answer questions.  There is a blog where each member can post personal thoughts and experiences.  There is even a section to promote charity walk events.

“Now walkathon leaders have a place to go to connect with each other, share ideas, and benefit from the accumulated wisdom of the crowd,” said Lee Garverick, author of www.walkathonguide.com. “This will be a wonderful asset for everyone.”

Those who are passionate about charity walks can include:

• Committee members
• Nonprofit staff
• Company sponsors
• Volunteers
• Walkers/fundraisers
• Donors
• Consultants
• Product/service providers

What are you waiting for? Go to http://CharityWalks.ning.com and get your free membership now. Start using the network to build friendships, find new ways to improve your charity walks, and help others.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: charity events, charity walks, charity walks network, Committee Members, Company Sponsors, Donors, Free Membership, Fundraisers, Nonprofit Staff, Service Providers, Share Ideas, Social Networking Site, Volunteers, Walkers

Themes can be a great way to bring an additional element of fun to your charity walks. It can also help bring the attention of the local media to your charity event.

Be creative when considering a theme for your walk. The theme should instill excitement in your community. The theme should support contests (like costume contests) and entertainment.

Most charity walks don’t have a theme beyond the cause they are supporting. However, there are some that do. Themes focused around holidays are popular. Here are examples of walks using a holiday theme:

• Halloween – Richmond Zombie Walk
• Winter Holidays – Jingle Bell Run/Walk
• St. Patricks Day – Shamrock Run & Walk

There are many possibilities for a theme. Have the charity walk planning committee brainstorm some ideas. Use the following list of potential themes to get you started:

Potential Charity Walk Themes
Favorite sports teams Western Rock and roll 50s/60s/70s Outer space Holiday	Hawaiian Ocean/underwater Circus/carnival Cruise Pajama Favorite school/university

Can you think of other themes that could be used for charity walks? What themes have you used for charity walks in the past that have been successful? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: charity events, charity fund raising, charity fundraising, charity walk, Walkathon