2014 Walk Manual Making a Difference Starts with One Step!

2014 Walk Manual
Making a Difference Starts with One Step!
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Shawnee Mission Park
3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
6400 Prospect Avenue West, Suite 338B
Kansas City, MO 64132
816.523.4640 or 800.958.7876
lfaheartland.org
1
Welcome to the 2014 Walk to End Lupus NowTM!
Dear Supporters,
We invite you to be a part of the Lupus Foundation of America’s Walk to End Lupus Now™ - America’s
largest lupus walk and help us take steps to raise funds to improve the quality of life for people affected by
lupus through programs of research, education, support and advocacy.
Our Walk to End Lupus NowTM events are conducted nationwide by the Lupus Foundation of America and its
national network to raise money for lupus research, increase awareness of lupus, and rally public support for
those who suffer from its brutal impact. Each year, thousands of people across the country join forces with the
Lupus Foundation of America and walk with one unified purpose – to end lupus.
Our Kansas City Walk hosts over 400 walkers - and growing! It truly is an empowering day of hope and
passion that you won’t want to miss. Walk to End Lupus Now™ will change the way you see lupus.
Sincerely,
Amy Ondr
President and CEO
Heartland Chapter
About Lupus
Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body. It
is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with, and a challenge to treat. Lupus is a cruel mystery because it is hidden
from view and undefined, has a range of symptoms, hits out of nowhere, and has no known cause and no
known cure. Its health effects can range from a skin rash to a heart attack. Lupus is debilitating and
destructive, and can be fatal, yet research on lupus remains underfunded relative to its scope and devastation.
An estimated 50,000 Heartland territory residents and 1.5 million Americans are estimated to have a form of
lupus.
About the Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter
The LFA Heartland is part of the national force devoted to solving the cruel mystery of lupus while providing
caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. We work with local health professionals and
volunteers to provide information and programs to ensure people with lupus and their families get answers and
health professionals know about new means to diagnose and manage the disease. The LFA Heartland serves
an estimated 50,000 in Missouri, eastern Kansas and southern Illinois.
Contact Us
For more information about lupus or the LFA Heartland, visit www.lfaheartland.org or call 816.523.4640 or toll
free at 800.958.7876. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Amy Ondr, President & CEO
Beka Rich, Events & Operations Manager (St. Louis Walk Coordinator)
Daphne Reitz, Community Outreach Coordinator (Kansas City Walk Coordinator)
2
LaKricia Cox, Director of Programs and Advocacy
Walk to End Lupus Now™
Kansas City
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Shawnee Mission Park,
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Walk to End Lupus Now™ is an afternoon of fun and friendship with activities for the whole family! Join the
Lupus Foundation of America as we stroll through beautiful Shawnee Mission Park! Participants will walk a 1 to
3 mile route, and enjoy this celebration and tribute to those who are, or have battled lupus, a devastating and
chronic illness. We encourage our participants to donate a minimum $25. Strollers and dogs are welcome.
Event Schedule
Check-In Begins
Opening Ceremony
Walk Begins
Team Photos & Activities
3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
All Day
Registration



Event attendees must register for the walk.
You can pre-register online or by mailing in a registration form OR register the day of the walk. Once
registered, walkers can submit donations online, by mail to our office, OR turn in at the Check-In Tent
at the walk.
All participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, aged 21 years or
older. In addition, a parental/guardian authorization is required before any minor may participate.
Registration Types
Walker: General ‘walker’ registration is for anyone wishing to raise money and participate in the Walk to
End Lupus NowTM event. Note: Those with physical limitations are not required to walk, and can attend,
but remain at the Start/Finish during the walk.
Virtual Walker: This is for those that cannot attend the walk (be there in person), but would still like to
fundraise. ‘Virtual Walkers’ can set up an online personal page, raise funds, use fundraising tools, and
win prizes just like a regular walker. Making this selection helps us keep track of how many walkers will
actually be at the walk.
3
Cost
No fee to register, however every walker is asked to raise $100 or more to help support people living with
lupus. NOTE: There is a cost to the LFA for every person who attends the walk. So the foundation actually
LOSES money when someone registers and does not raise money.
Form a Team
Walkers are encouraged to start walk teams! The first step is to choose a team captain and register your
team. Next, you will create an online fundraising page for your team. We help make it easy, and provide you
with all the materials and tools you need to ensure success in building your team.
Weather
Walks are held RAIN or SHINE! Wear appropriate clothing. Under most conditions, the walk will continue. In
the event of severe weather (i.e., snow, tornadoes or severe thunder and lightning), the LFA staff may
temporarily stop the walk by holding you at rest stops or cancel the walk. We ask for your cooperation with this
policy, as your safety is our first concern.
Steps to Success
1. Register – It is easy to register online at www.lfaheartland.org
2.
Form a Team - Put together a team of friends, family or co-workers—it makes the walk even more fun!
Set a fundraising goal and work together to raise funds to solve the cruel mystery of lupus.
3. Ask for Donations –It is so easy to create a fundraising page on our website. Start by supporting yourself
with your first donation. Every walker is asked to raise $100 or more to help support people with lupus.
Ask 20 friends to donate $10 each and you’ve already surpassed your first fundraising milestone! All
walkers who raise $100 will receive a commemorative Walk to End Lupus Now™ t-shirt. Other incentive
prizes listed below.
4
INCENTIVE PRIZES
Individual Fundraising Prizes
Please note that these are INDIVIDUAL prizes based on the amount raised individually (not a team total)
and turned in prior to the day of the walk. Some prizes may not be available at the Walk and will
be mailed at a later date.
$25 – Purple Wayfarer Sunglasses
$100 – Commemorative WALK T-Shirt & Purple Wayfarer Sunglasses
$250-$500 – Hot & Cold Tumbler, Commemorative WALK T-Shirt & Purple Wayfarer
Sunglasses
$500 - $999 – Umbrella, Commemorative WALK T-Shirt & Purple Wayfarer Sunglasses
$1000 (or more) – Purple Stadium Blanket, Commemorative WALK T-Shirt & Purple Wayfarer
Sunglasses
Top Individual Fundraiser – One of each of the prizes above!
Please note that the top individual prize will be awarded after the fundraising deadline one month after the walk.
$1,000Team Fundraising Prizes
Join our exclusive $1,000 Team Club and Receive More Great Prizes!
Please note that these prizes will be awarded after the fundraising deadline one month after the walk.

Each member of a $1,000 or more team will receive a Purple

The Team Captain from each team that raises $1,000 or more will receive a Team
Lupus Lapel Pin
Photo
Mounted on a Commemorative Walk Frame
Fundraising Prize Rules




All contributions must be submitted online, personally turned in to the Lupus Foundation and/or
postmarked by one month after the event to be counted towards receiving the prize incentives.
Some prizes may not be available for pick-up at the Walk and will be available at a later date at the LFA
Heartland office or may be mailed.
Prize availability is not guaranteed after the fundraising deadline one month after the Walk
Corporate matching gifts will count towards individual total money raised if the individual has completed
and submitted the matching gift forms to the LFA Heartland office by the fundraising deadline.
5
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING
First and foremost, Walk to End Lupus NowTM is a fundraising event created to support research, programs, &
services for people affected by lupus through the LFA. Below are some fundraising tips.
Basic Fundraising Tips










Sponsor yourself! Make your contribution when you register to get your fundraising going.
Ask friends and family face-to-face. Asking individuals face-to-face is the most effective way to raise
money. While you may fear rejection or feel embarrassed, have confidence to ask for support.
Don’t apologize for asking. Remember, you are not asking for the contribution for yourself, you are
asking on behalf of the Lupus Foundation of America and people living with lupus.
Educate your potential donors. Often people will feel more comfortable about making a contribution if
they understand what they are contributing too, and how the money will be used. Visit our website at
www.lfaheartland.org to see how donations are used.
Personalize it. Share your story, and let people know why you are asking them to support you; for
example, if you are walking for a loved one with lupus, include a picture on your request letter or
webpage.
Use Social Media. Use social networking tools like, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, & Google Plus.
Spread the word on your facebook profile. Send friends and family to the LFA, Heartland Chapter fan
page (http://www.facebook.com/LFAheartland).
Tweet about your success & thank donors along the way! Send friends and family to the LFA,
Heartland Chapter Twitter page (https://twitter.com/LFAheartland) and follow us on Twitter.
Speak up. Ask to make a short presentation at your place of worship, local community or civic
organizations, your place of employment, or any group you volunteer with/have a connection to.
The earlier you ask the better. The sooner you start reaching out to people to raise money the sooner
you’ll see your pledges start to climb.
Do a letter-writing campaign. Whether it is by mail, email, or Facebook, it doesn’t matter. Send a letter
to your holiday card list, letting them know you’re walking and to ask for their support. Make it personal!
Explain why you are involved in this Walk and how lupus has affected your life. Include a selfaddressed envelope to make it easier for them to sponsor you! Include extra copies of your letter with
envelopes and ask your contacts to send it to their contact lists; watch your numbers multiply!
Fundraising Ideas
Try these fun and creative ideas to increase your fundraising. The more creative you are, the better your
results will be. Have fun, your enthusiasm will help you raise money to aid our fight against lupus.
 Donations in lieu of gifts! Instead of asking for a birthday present or Holiday gift, ask for a donation.
 Speak at a civic organization. Ask to be placed on the agenda at the next meeting.
 Throw a party! Treat guests to some great cooking at your home in exchange for a donation. Have a
Treasure Hunt and charge a registration fee for each person. Hold a theme dinner party for 10 friends.
Ask for a donation of $50 per person, spend no more than $20 per person and you’ll have $300 raised!
 Ask your place of worship if you can make a short presentation at the next service.
 Ask your doctors, dentist, therapists, insurance agents, yoga instructors, hair stylists or any other
business that you frequent. You’ve given them enough money over the years, now it’s their turn.
 Ask a local bar or restaurant if you can hold a fundraiser one evening.
 Find companies looking for a tax write-off. Ask family and friends for prospects and leaders.
 Post a notice on company’s announcements bulletin board.
UNDRAISING DEADLINE TO EARN PRIZES – ONE MONTH AFTER THE WALK
Matching Gifts
Matching Gifts can be a great way to have your company join you in fighting lupus by making a matching gift
donation which will double or even triple your funds raised to help change the future for lupus patients! Many
employers offer matching gift programs in which they will match charitable contributions made by their
6
employees. Your company may match your donation as well as donations made by your co-workers, if they
also apply for matching gifts. Some companies even match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses! Don’t
forget to encourage your donors to ask their companies about matching gifts, too!
STEP 1: Contact your Human Resource or Benefits Department to find out if your company has a
company Matching Gift Program.
STEP 2: Learn how your company’s Matching Gift Program works. Do they match gifts made to health
organizations? Does your company require a minimum donation amount? Will they match 1:1? You
can turn a $25 donation into $50!
STEP 3: Find out how your company wants you to submit your matching gift. Companies have various
methods by which you can submit your matching gift request: online forms, automated phone systems,
or a paper form that you submit to the Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter when you
turn in your donations.
STEP 4: Fill out your matching gift application and give it to us!
 Write your name in the top left-hand corner and include your walk site name (i.e.: Walk to End
Lupus NowTM – Kansas City).
 Turn in the form at the same time you mail in or turn in your donations on Walk Day so your
matching gift(s) can be easily tracked.
7
WALK TEAMS
What is a Team?
A team is a group of walkers who join together under a Captain to raise funds for the walk. Teams can be any
size, although the LFA Heartland encourages Team Captains to aim for a minimum of 10 members. Teams
can be made up of family and friends or can be recruited at work, school, church, etc... Teams typically come
up with a meaningful name and often design a Team T-shirt to be worn on the day of the walk.
What Does a Team Captain Do?
Successful Team Captains begin with a goal – both a monetary goal and a ‘number of team members’ goal.
We encourage each walker to raise at least $100, so strive to recruit 10 fundraising walkers who together raise
$1,000. Team Captains should motivate their members, encourage fundraising and share important
information as it is received from the LFA Heartland. They should also maintain frequent contact with their
members to ensure success. You can always encourage your team to talk with Daphne Reitz, Kansas City
Walk Coordinator, about any questions they might have or to get fundraising advice. (816.523.4640 or
dreitz@lfaheartland.org)
How Do I Get Started?
Go to www.lfaheartland.org to register your team – click on the walk link, then select your city.



Invite others to join your team – be sure to share your goals and why you are a Team Captain. The
website offers the option of sending out emails through the website, but we find that people have the
most success sending out emails from their personal account with the customized team page link.
Need help with leading your team to success? Appoint a team member to be your Co-Captain. As CoCaptain, they will be able to help manage the team page, facilitate consistent communication with
members, organize team fundraising events, and more!
Have FUN and feel good knowing that you are playing an important role in the lives of those with lupus.
Benefits to Participating on a Team






Walk to End Lupus NowTM is about family and friends supporting people who live with lupus.
Organizations, schools, churches and companies can all form teams, even if they are not personally
touched by the disease.
Team participation increases your visibility in the community. It sends a strong signal that you, your
friends, family, co-workers and employees care about the health and welfare of your neighbors. In
short, it’s good public and community relations!
Being on a team keeps you motivated because you don’t want to let your teammates down.
Team building is a great way to build employee morale. It demonstrates that your company wants to
play an important role in supporting worthy, charitable causes.
Team participation costs your company very little since funds are raised through individual donations
gathered by team members from co-workers, families and friends.
Team building often enables a company to generate a far larger amount of money for supporting
people affected by lupus than would otherwise be possible through a direct corporate donation.
Recruit
Get the Word Out
 Once registered, log in to “My Headquarters” online to create a Team Web Page. Email this page to
everyone you know to recruit new team members and to ask for support.
 Tell all your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors about your Walk to End Lupus NowTM team.
 Start your email and letter writing campaign announcing your commitment. Invite them to join!
8


Drop a Walk to End Lupus NowTM rack card on everyone’s desk & hang a poster in the break rooms.
Asking someone in person is still one of the most effective ways to recruit someone. If possible, letters
and emails should always be followed up with a phone call.
Use Social Media
 Post updates to your status on Facebook and Twitter about your walk team.
 Ask your Facebook friends and Twitter followers to join your team or support via donation. Remind them
that even $5 would help support our cause.
 Share why the walk means so much to you – post snippets of your connection to lupus each day:
Get Company Support
 Ask the highest-ranking person in your company or group to send out an endorsement memo announcing
that he/she is participating (or supports your team) and asking others to join the team. Include a matching
gift form if your company participates.
 Talk with Human Resources or Wellness/Community Relations for assistance in recruiting efforts.
 If your team is not a corporate team, encourage team members to recruit their own co-workers as new
team members.
Display Posters and Rack Cards
 Display Walk to End Lupus NowTM posters and rack cards in central locations and high-traffic areas at
work or in your community (i.e. coffee shop or church). Write the team captain’s name and phone number
on the posters for anyone with questions or is interested in joining the team or volunteering.
 Display a large poster that tracks the team’s efforts towards their team recruitment goal.
 Display a “sign-up list” in accessible areas to create positive peer pressure and encourage others.
Newsletters
 If your company/community organization sends out newsletters/bulletins, ask them to include an
article. List the names of those who have agreed to participate and include your name and contact
information if they have questions.
 Don’t forget to send out messages by email as well. Use your personal email account OR the “My
Headquarters” Email Tool on the walk website.
Host Sign-up Parties
 Host a sign-up rally during breakfast or lunch. Also consider hosting something like a social.
 Hold a new team member registration party. Encourage each team member to recruit one new person to
bring to the party.
Ask the Lupus Foundation of America
 Schedule a time for the LFA to give a presentation to potential team members, Human Resources,
management and/or officers at your office, classroom or meeting place.
 Request additional supplies of rack cards, posters, and lupus information from the LFA, Heartland
Chapter office.
Make it Personal
 Use your own “This is Why I Walk” story with potential team members. If other members have a
particularly powerful story, ask them if you can share their story.
 Don’t have a personal connection to lupus? Ask one of your fellow team members if you can share their
story and walk in honor of them.
Make it Fun
 Hook ’em with fun and then connect ’em to the cause. If people have fun, you will increase your team
numbers daily.
9
Four Steps to Team Success
 Step 1 - Set a Team Fundraising Goal: Most people work harder when they have a specific goal to
meet. Set a team goal that is attainable, yet challenging. Encourage each participant to set their own
dollar goal (a suggested rule of thumb is a minimum $100 per team member). Keep track of your
team’s progress and report successes back to everyone. Share ideas with one another. Remind your
team that the donations they collect will support the LFA’s programs, services and research efforts!
 Step 2 – Recruit Participants: Anyone can join your Walk Team - family members, friends, coworkers, ANYONE! Ask those you’ve already recruited to invite their network of friends to join. Don’t
forget to ask people you know through church or temple, networking groups, social groups, etc. Each
member of your team must register for the walk.
 Step 3 – Communicate: Staying connected to your team keeps their enthusiasm and momentum up
and gives everyone an opportunity to share their successes and ideas. The best way to stay connected
with your team is through email. Some suggestions include: weekly e-mails, telephone updates & at
least one team gathering. Remember to give encouragement, have fun and make sure to THANK
THEM!!
 Step 4 – Fundraise: Raise donations by asking for support from family, neighbors, friends, clients &
co-workers. With your help, LFA Heartland will continue to lead the fight against lupus!
 Step 5 – Be Intentional: Set a certain day/time of the week that you work on your own fundraising and
your team fundraising, that way it never gets pushed to the back-burner.
Online Team Captain Tools
The LFA provides Team Captains with a number of helpful online fundraising tools. When you register online
for the walk, you are automatically assigned your own personal web page, called the “My HeadQuarters” (HQ),
which is designed to facilitate every aspect of your fundraising. As Team Captain, your HQ provides you with
exclusive team tools to assist with team registration, tracking your team’s progress, reviewing and maintaining
your team roster, and emailing your team members.

The Team Page is a webpage for your team, designed to assist in team recruitment and
fundraising. When you register your team online create a personalized team page link that makes it
easier to access your Team Page. While default settings can be used, you can also personalize this
page with your team fundraising goal, pictures or video, and a story of why your team is walking. Team
members can register directly through the Team Page.

Online Donating makes fundraising easy! This tool allows individuals to assist in your team’s
fundraising efforts by donating online with a credit card or check. Direct potential donors to support your
team online through your Team Page.

Customized E-mail messages automatically include a link to your Team Page, making it easier for
friends and family to register to walk or donate to the team. This also provides an easy way to email
your team with important information, current totals and encouraging words. In your signature, include
your personalized Team Page link as well.

The Team Roster allows you to maintain a detailed listing of registered team members and their
fundraising efforts. From this section you can print your team roster, download the team roster to an
outside source, and email individuals or the entire team.
10
Team Fundraising Tips
Here are some proven fundraising methods from fundraisers around the country. If you have other great ideas
please share them with us and with other participants.
THE BASICS:
 Have enthusiasm! Excitement is highly contagious!
 Show commitment! When you raise funds, you are directly helping people with lupus by funding
important research about this unpredictable disease. Make the first pledge yourself. When your team
members (and potential donors) see your name and a contribution, they will see how serious you are.
 Share with the group! As you conduct fundraising, share your methods with your team members. By
sharing mail/email campaigns & personal fundraising events, team members will become more
comfortable with fundraising for themselves.
 Set Goals! Set a team fundraising goal and regularly announce the team’s progress through email, on
the team webpage, and in company email/newsletters.
 Ask for Help! Identify a team member to serve as co-captain, or a group of members to serve as a
team committee. Ask for help in putting together one or more team fundraising events. Delegate
responsibilities!
 Double your pledges! Ask the HR department if your company has a matching gift program. Have
forms available when you approach your co-workers as each of their pledges to you will be matched by
your employer! Don’t forget to inform co-workers who are also teammates about this opportunity. Just
by informing them of this, you could double, maybe even triple your team’s contributions.
Join the $1,000 Team Club!
Putting together a $1,000 team is not as difficult as it may sound. Set this as your goal for your team and
provide them with some of the tips and suggestions in this manual to help them get started!



5 Team members raising $200 each = $1,000 Team!
10 Team members raising $100 each = $1,000 Team!
20 Team members raising $ 50 each = $1,000 Team!
Walk Team Fundraisers
1. Many network marketing companies (like Pampered Chef, Avon, Mary Kay, Thirty-One) have
opportunities where a portion of sales for a limited amount of time (i.e. month) can be donated to a walk
team.
2. Poker tournament – Portion of the pot goes to winner, portion goes towards fundraising; winner can
always donate his winnings towards fundraising as well; provide food for players
3.
Wine Tastings – Hold at different venues; include music as part
of the event; sell tickets; get wine or appetizers donated to allow more of the ticket sales to go towards
fundraising
4.
Many department stores (like Belk and Macy’s) do charity sales
at least once a year where they allow charities to sell coupons with the proceeds going towards their
cause.
5. Restaurants with fundraisers
a. Sell plates or restaurant will donate the proceeds on a certain night
b. Need to check with each restaurant locally as some may be more willing to do a fundraiser than
others.
6. Festivals – Promote walk team at local community festivals or events; ask for donations towards team,
if allowed
7. Volunteer events - Receive cash for providing volunteers for events (like concession stands)
11
8. Hold Raffle or Silent Auction – Get donated products or services from the community to raffle off; you
can allow out-of-towners to participate in your raffle too AND have team members (no matter where
they live) sell raffle tickets. The higher value the item, the more tickets you will sell. OR hold a silent
auction at an event (can be cocktail, happy hour, sporty, etc… type of event – just invite all you know!).
9. Use Facebook Page - Thank people & businesses; Advertise Fundraisers
10. Get Team Sponsors! Ask businesses to sponsor your team in exchange for free publicity. Include
sponsor logos on team t-shirts and in a sponsor highlights section of your team emails/webpage.
11. Other Ideas
a. Biggest Loser contest
b. Giving Tree for donations at Christmas
c. Holiday card fundraiser
d. Car Wash
e. Church events
f. Sell Entertainment books
g. Cookbook – create your own or have one premade to sell
h. Chili Cook-off
i. Bake Sale
j. BBQ Contest/Chicken Stew
k. Consignment Sale/Garage Sales
l. Hold Zumba classes & accept donations
m. Drive-in movie (need projector and access to a building)
n. Eating Contest (hotdogs, hot wings)
12
REGISTERED TO WALK, NOW WHAT?
Navigating Your Online Headquarters
Most of fundraising is done online in order to make it easier and more accessible for people to participate and
for donors to be able to give. You can register, donate, solicit for donations, ask people to join your team, and
more ALL ONLINE. Here are some basic steps for you to get started:
1. Log-in to your Headquarters
a. Go to your city’s walk website (lfaheartland.org)
b.
c.
d.
e.
Click ‘Walk to End Lupus Now’ (top middle of the homepage)
Select the city closest to you
Click on the Register Here, Select “I Agree” to the waiver
Select to Start a Team, Join a Team or Join as an Individual
2. Personalize Your Donation (and Team Donation) Page
a. Click on the “My HQ ( Headquarters)” tab. Select ‘Edit Personal Page’ or ‘Edit Team Page’.
b. Upload a picture or video or you can choose a default picture/video from the library.
i. Note: Photos must be in a .jpeg or .gif format and must be 50k or less.
c. VERY IMPORTANT: Edit the caption and personalize the text to share your story. People who
personalize their story generally raise more.
d. Don’t forget to click
when you’re done!
3. How to Send Emails
a. Click on the ‘Email’ tab.
b. Import Address Book
i. Import addresses from Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail account. If you have a different email
provider, export your contacts from that product into a .CSV file and then import into your
Headquarters
c. Select contacts (that you imported) by clicking ‘Address Book’ in blue text. Then select what list
you’d like to choose from, select your intended recipients and click the ‘Send Email to Selected
Contacts’ blue button.
i. You can send an email to up to 30 people at a time.
13
d. Select your Template to use (Donation Solicitation, Team Recruitment, Donation Thank You,
Team Motivation, etc…)
e. Make any changes to your Subject, Highlighted Message, and Body of email.
i. IMPORTANT – If you make changes, you can SAVE your email and it will be added to
your list of templates to choose from next time.
f. Check ‘Email History Log’ to see who has opened your email, clicked through, and donated
from. That way you know who you need to follow up with about donating. Note: Sometimes
emails can go to spam, so if they haven’t opened it, ask again using your regular email program.
4. Monitoring Your Progress
a. Online Donations will be credited immediately following the transaction, to your goal.
b. Track Your Progress
i. Click on the “Reports” tab. You can view your Donation Report AND your Team’s
Participation Report
ii. Donation Report will tell you ‘the amount needed towards goal’ and allow you to view
your donors, the amount they gave, date of donation, etc…
iii. Team Participation Report will show team members’ names and their progress.
5. Don’t Miss Sharing on your Social Media:
14
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can you still participate even if you cannot walk?
If you cannot physically walk on walk day there will be plenty of things to do at the Start/Finish location until the
walkers return from the route such as, listen to the music, visit the Lupus Information and Lupus Merchandise
tents, stop by vendors’ booths, and make new friends.
Are pets allowed? Pets are allowed but must be on a leash and you must clean up after them.
Will there be medical support at the walk?
First Aid support personnel will be available at all times and will be ready to meet First Aid needs. Medical
Emergencies will be handled through 911.
How do I register my team members?
You may register your team online or by mailing/faxing a registration form for each member to our office.
Online: Go to www.lfaheartland.org, then click on the WALK Button, then click your city’s button to enter your
walk website and click ‘Register Here’. Please Note: Make sure that the team name is included on the
registration.
Is a separate registration form needed for each team member?
Yes. There is vital information for LFA records, liability, and planning purposes.
Do I need to register my young children?
Yes. If your child is 5 years old (old enough to want water and/or food at the walk), please register him/her. It
will help us in preparing for the correct amounts of products and supplies needed.
What is the financial commitment for a Walk participant?
Walk to End Lupus NowTM is a FUNDraising event to support the LFA. The LFA Heartland does not charge a
registration fee or require a minimum pledge amount to participate. However, each walk participant is
individually responsible for collecting and turning in money and encouraged to donate a minimum $25. NOTE:
There is a cost to the LFA Heartland for every person who attends the walk. So the foundation actually LOSES
money when someone registers and does not fundraise.
What will my team members need to bring the day of the walk?
They will need to turn in any funds that they have collected. NOTE: Each participant must turn in a separate
pledge envelope. Team pledge envelopes will not be accepted. Each team member will also have to complete
a waiver form if they did not register online.
Will my team members receive any correspondence prior to the walk?
Yes. All registered walkers will be mailed/emailed a Participant Manual depending on their selected preferred
method during registration. This manual can also be downloaded from the Walk Website on the “Fundraising
and Team Tips” page. In addition, all registered participants will receive a reminder in the weeks leading up to
the Walk date. Walkers that include an email on their registration form will also receive regular Walk ENewsletters.
What time does my team need to be there?
You may find the official walk and registration times on the event website. With the large number of walkers
expected, we advise you and your team to get to the site as soon as registration/check-in begins.
Will there be team photos taken at the walk?
Yes, a photographer will be available to take team pictures.
When are pledge monies due?
15
Money is due by midnight exactly one month after the event. Pledges being mailed in must be postmarked by
this date as well. All prize incentives and awards are based on that closing date.
Will we walk if it rains?
Yes. We walk RAIN or SHINE! In the event of serious weather (tornado, hurricane, etc.) please tune in to your
local radio/TV station for announcements relating to the cancellation of the walk.
Is seating available?
With such large crowds, we can’t provide seating. We encourage you to bring lawn chairs, blankets, etc.
Are there shaded areas in the park?
There is some shaded areas but we encourage you to bring pop-up tents (no larger than 10’ x 10’), umbrellas,
etc.
Where can I get rack cards and posters to promote the walk?
Contact the LFA Heartland Office to request rack cards, registration forms, and posters. They are sent out on
a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.
Will food be served at the walk?
We provide water and light snacks.
Can a LFA staff member come and talk to my team?
Yes. We are always happy to visit with our teams and assist them with fundraising, team building and answer
any questions team members may have.
Where can I get pledge sheets?
Pledge sheets can be downloaded from the walk website on the Fundraising & Team Tips menu item.
16
PLEDGE SHEET
Walker Name: _________________________________________________________
Fundraising Goal: $_____________________________________________________
Donor’s Name
Address
Amount Pledged
Amount
Received
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
TOTAL
PRIZE DEADLINE: PLEDGES ARE DUE EXACTLY ONE MONTH AFTER WALK
This record is for your use, you are not required to submit with donations.
17
Make copies of pledge sheets for your records and for additional donors.
18