October is breast cancer awareness month and strength is truly in numbers when it comes to raising money for research. Your workplace can make a tremendous dent in fundraising efforts, by virtue of sheer numbers and resources. There are a number of ways you and your co-workers can raise money for this important cause. Some methods are planning-intensive, one-time events, while others are ongoing. Either way some planning will come into play to have a great impact. Besides the obvious benefit of raising money for a good cause, an added perk is the camaraderie and good morale fostered through such events.
Instructions
1. Create an event committee. This committee will be in charge of laying out plans for an event(s), designating work duties and executing the fundraising efforts. You should tap in to your local chapter of Susan G. Komen or the American Cancer Society, and a representative from that chapter should be on hand for your introductory meetings. They'll prove an invaluable resource as they've been there, done this before.
2. Get employer permission. No workplace fundraiser can sprout legs, so to speak, without approval from management. This is where having a representative from the organization on hand comes in handy. Have a written plan in hand when you bring up the subject to your employer, and there should be a contact she can call from the organization if they have any questions regarding the execution of the event and other crucial items, such as how the fundraising dollars will be collected and spent.
3. Consider an educational fair. The venue could be one of your larger conference rooms or another space onsite. You'll have staff from your local Susan G. Komen chapter or American Cancer Society on hand, passing out literature about breast cancer awareness, prevention and detection. Employees who participate will pay an admission fee or make donations in return for this material as well as light food, music and whatever other entertainment you deem within the budget and feasible.
4. Think sports. Your friends and other colleagues could sponsor a softball or golf tournament, where those participating would raise the donations. Those in attendance would also pay either a fee or donations would be encouraged the day of the game. It's a very entertaining way to get to know your co-workers outside of the workplace and raise money for the cause.
5. Host a "wear pink" day. Those who wear pink garb would pay to do so. To encourage even more participation, you could also host a "dress down," where jeans and more casual wear are allowed mid-week. But, of course, those participating would have to pay for the luxury of weaseling out of the dress code.
6. Sponsor workplace teams for the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure. These races are held throughout the country, often in multiple locations and dates for just one city. There is ample opportunity for co-workers to band together and participate, all the while collecting donations from sponsors, such as other co-workers, friends, neighbors and family members.
7. Build up to the Breast Cancer 3-Day. This event is more intensive than the Race for the Cure. Participants walk 60 miles for research and awareness over the course of a long weekend. The 3-Day is based out of major hubs, such as Chicago and L.A.; however, your workplace could sponsor one or two employees and send them to the 3-Day. You could have several events leading up to the 3-Day, that would help to raise funds for the cause, such as a going-away party for the participants where donations are encouraged. In addition, participants could create blogs where they encourage donations.
8. Think Halloween. Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes at the same time as the holiday. Host a workplace Halloween party over lunch. Those in attendance would pay for food and refreshments, as well as the shot at prizes for such things as Best Costume and Funniest Costume. Again, a great bonding experience and a seasonal way to raise money for the cause.
Tags: raise money, Susan Komen, American Cancer, American Cancer Society, attendance would, Awareness Month, Breast Cancer
