Furlough!

Furlough Day! This means I have the opportunity, while the kids are at school, to hit the pavement and get some much needed fundraising letters out to various businesses. Some of the items we’re looking to have donated for the upcoming events are pasta, spaghetti sauce, salad dressings, pop, water, baked goods, gift certificates, sporting event tickets, and any other product for raffling. Last year I remember thinking “Oh this would be so much easier if I were a repeat walker…” Well here I am as a repeat walker and it’s still not any easier.

Quick reminder, Sisters Saving the Sistahs is hosting a Euchre Tournament fundraiser on Saturday, March 5^th, registration begins at 7pm, 1^st hand will be dealt at 7:30 pm. This will be played in a Round Robin fashion, every 8 hands you’ll get a new partner! There will be 8 rounds or 11pm whichever comes first. Cost is $20 per person which includes pizza, pop & munchies (BYOB), CASH prizes for 1^st and 2^nd place! All proceeds and 50/50 raffle will go to our 3-Day accounts!

To reserve your seat (adults only please) remember to contact either myself at smithstef.5@gmail.com or Jen at jen.carbary@gmail.com --- all money is due by Wednesday, March 3^rd (cash or check).

Gratitude!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our family and friends, Jen and I have filled all of our “volunteer” spots for the two Tigers games! Our 3-hour training will be next month with our first game on Saturday, April 9th. I’ll have our booth number the week of the game so if you’ll be at the Copa to see the Tigers whoop some White Socks butts you’ll have to stop by and say “Hi!”

Two weeks from now I’ll begin my “official” 24-week training schedule. I remember last year how nervous I was when I began this schedule – this year I’m excited! Although, now I realize that 24 weeks is not a lot of time to raise $2300 and get into the best shape I possibly can while maintaining a healthy family life, and working full time. I think I need to take the next 2 weeks and concentrate on balance!

I’ve posted the 24-week training schedule under the Accountability tab – let me know if you’re up for a walk!

I Learned How to Add Pages!

Thank goodness I have my sister, why you ask? Because she is way more tech savvy than I. I’ve added “pages” to my blog so now I can really inform you, entertain you, but hopefully not annoy you! Please take a minute and check out the tabs on top to see the different elements that go into preparing for a 60 mile journey!

Excuses, Excuses!

Okay so I fell a little off track with my pre-training this week. I’m going to blame it on the “Catastrophic” snow storm we had here, ya that’s it! Actually, I came down with a chest cold early in the week and just needed some good old fashioned rest! But now that the cold and the snow have passed it’s back to business.

Don’t forget Sisters Saving the Sistahs is having a Euchre Tournament Fundraiser on Saturday, March 5th at 7pm. There are a total of 40 seats available, so if you’re interested either send me an email to smithstef.5@gmail.com or let me know on Facebook. Feel free to bring a friend or two, heck fill a table of four! The way the tournament is set up, it’s a great way to meet new people and a ton of fun. The cost is $20 per person which includes pizza, pop and CASH prizes (BYOB & adults only please). All proceeds from the entry fee and 50/50 raffle will be donated to our 3-Day fund.

This weekend is Superbowl Sunday, so on that note…GO Steelers!!

Putting the "fun" in fundraising

Wow we actually have our first team fundraising event date! Jennifer and I (Sisters Saving the Sistahs) will be hosting a Euchre Tournament on Saturday, March 5th at 7pm at my house. Invites and more details will be out soon along with a “Save the Date” card that will list our upcoming events, home parties, etc.

Jen’s rockin on the fundraising, she’s already at 10% of her goal, I am so proud of her! She closed her Tastefully Simple party this week and raked in a $75 donation and received lots of hostess gifts to use in future raffles.

We also received two Tigers games for us to work the concession stand at. Saturday, April 9th and Saturday, June 11th. We need a total of 12 people to work each game so we’re on the hunt for volunteers… Last year some of you may remember that I split a booth with another walker and we each made $400 that went towards our fundraising goal. It’s a fun, easy gig so if you’re interested in working a game with us send me an email: smithstef.5@gmail.com and I’ll give you more details!

One quick last note, did you know that when you make a donation online you have the opportunity to take advantage of the four month payment plan option that is available? Which means if let’s say you wanted to make a $100 donation, you could make 4 monthly payments of $25 – how cool and easy is that?

Doubling your donation is easier than you think...

Did you know that the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure has a “Matching Gift” program? There are over 300 participating companies! Most companies on the list will match your donation dollar for dollar others will do a percentage. To find out if you or your spouse’s employer is a participating matching gift company visit the 3-Day website at http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Matching_Gifts_2011


Top 10 FAQ’s for the Matching Gift program are:


1. What is a matching gift?

A matching gift is when a person makes a donation to a non-profit organization and their employer donates an equal or greater amount to the same group. A matching gift is a great way for a donor to double their contribution to the fight against breast cancer.


2. How do I know if a company will offer a matching gift for a donation?

Visit the Matching Gifts page at
http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Matching_Gifts_2011 and search for the name of the company.


3. How does a donor apply for a matching gift?

If the company is in our database, select it and you will see the specific instructions for that company’s matching gifts process. Different organizations have different requirements and procedures, so please look up each company individually.


In order for the participant to receive credit for a matching gift, it is very important to choose “Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure” as the designated recipient. Even though the 3-Day for the Cure is a Susan G. Komen for the Cure® event, please do not choose “Susan G. Komen for the Cure” generally, any Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate, any Komen event other than the 3-Day for the Cure (such as a Race for the Cure®), or any other charity as the designated organization. It is likely that Susan G. Komen for the Cure and/or a local Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate will also be available options from which to choose but, in order for the participant to get credit, please choose the 3-Day for the Cure event specifically.


4. The matching gift company has a list of non-profit organizations to choose from; which name should I pick?
The address listed on the company’s database for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure should be:
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure 205 N. Michigan AvenueSuite 2630 Chicago, IL 60601

Please note: that the name of the event changed in 2010 and companies will not have Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure listed in their matching gifts database unless a donor has already "nominated" the 3-Day for the Cure for a matching gift. Nominating the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure as a matching gift recipient with your company will then create a record for the 3-Day for the Cure that all other donors will be able to select. Here is the correct info to submit with the nomination: Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure205 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2630 Chicago, IL 60601 Tax ID # 75-1835298 Org website: The3Day.org


5. Can a donor mail the matching gift form to the 3-Day for the Cure?

We recommend that the participant mails the matching gift form. This way, the participant will know exactly when it was mailed, can confirm that their name was included on the form and can confirm that it was mailed to the correct address. If the matching gift company has an online matching gift process, the donor will be responsible for completing the matching gift process via the company’s database.


6. How long will it take for the 3-Day to process a matching gift form and mail it back to the matching gift company?

It can take 8-9 weeks for the 3-Day to process the matching gift form. Once the matching gift form has been processed by the 3-Day, it will be posted on the My Progress page of your Participant Center, under Donation History. The donation type will be listed as “offline unconfirmed.” At this point, the amount of the matching gift will count toward your fundraising minimum.


7. How long will it take for the matching gift company to cut a check for the matching gift?

If the matching company approves the matching gift, the company will send a check for the matching gift according to their company guidelines. Please contact the matching gift company directly to find out how often matching gift checks are cut and mailed, as it varies for each company.


8. What will happen if a matching gift is not approved by a matching gift company?

If a matching gift company does not approve a matching gift the company will contact either the donor or the 3-Day. If the 3-Day is contacted, we will pass the information on to the participant.


9. Where should I mail the matching gift form?

Once the participant has made a copy of the matching gift form, it should be mailed to:
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure205 N. Michigan AvenueSuite 2630Chicago, IL 60601


10. Will a matching gift count toward the participant’s minimum fundraising goal?

Yes. Once the matching gift form has been processed by the 3-Day for the Cure, it will be posted on the My Progress page of your Participant Center, under Donation History. The donation type will be listed as “offline unconfirmed.” At this point, the amount of the matching gift will count toward your fundraising minimum.

Let the Season Begin!

Happy New Year! Now with the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind me, it’s time to get down to business. Let the 3-Day season officially begin in the Smith household!!
I’ve headed back to the gym for my pre-training after a couple of month hiatus, and it feels good to be back in the groove. Before I know it it’ll be time to start “Mall Walking” and my feet can’t wait. Training season is exciting, there are new goals each week to meet, as well as new challenges. One of the best things about training season is going SHOE SHOPPING!!!!

Jennifer and I have been working on our fundraising ideas over the past few months and are starting to solidify some events and dates. Of course we are always collecting bottles/cans so just shout if you have a pick-up!

Currently, we are selling Pistons tickets for next Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies (Jan. 12th @ 7pm). The tickets are only $5 each and 100% of the sales go directly to our 3-Day accounts! So if you are interested, send me an email at smithstef.5@gmail.com It’s a great, cheap way to go see a game with friends, the kids or your neighbors!