PERSONAL GIVING
We encourage you to look to your friends and family to sponsor you for Walk to Remember. Or better yet, gather a team!. Thanks to you and your sponsors, we can raise funds so the Lois Hole Hospital for Women can continue and expand its important role in the lives of bereaved parents.
Invite family, friends, and coworkers to join you in raising awareness and contributing to the Walk to Remember. If you gather a team of 10 people, and each of you raises $100, that’s already $1,000! Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference in the life of a bereaved family.
FUNDRAISING FORM
Download and print our fundraising form. Good luck and thank you!IDEAS FOR FUNDRAISING:
JUST ASK!
The easiest and most effective way of raising money is through letter writing. Using your email contacts, or through good old fashioned snail mail, send a letter to your friends, neighbours, family, and coworkers asking them to sponsor you for the Walk to Remember with a donation. Remember to mention that donations over $20 will get a tax receipt.
CLARIFY WHY YOU ARE RAISING MONEY
Share as much of your story as you are comfortable and explain the need for support. The death of a baby is devastating. Each person who sponsors you ensures we can continue to help families heal while we raise awareness about infant death.
ASK FOR A SPECIFIC AMOUNT
Asking for a specific amount works well when you know the person you are asking. For example, if you would like a friend to sponsor you at $10, go ahead and ask them for $25. If the answer is yes, you are now even closer to your goal. Or, leave the amount open to the potential sponsor but be sure to let them know your total goal (eg. $250? $1000?) so that they can see how far you need to go.
ADVERTISE
Use your own email auto-signature at home or work to raise awareness about the Walk, and your commitment to raising funds.
Use your personal website to share that you are raising funds and give progress reports on your donations.
Check to see if your company offers a "matching gift" program to double your fundraising efforts.
MAKE IT EASY TO GIVE
If you are sending out information via Canada Post, be sure to enclose an self-addressed envelope for its return to you.
Offer to pick up a cheque from your sponsor so they don't have to worry about getting it to you.
If you are talking face-to-face, offer to take cash or a cheque right there.
FOLLOW UP
After a week, follow up with those you have not heard from. Explain again why you are raising money and ask for a specific amount that they can commit to helping.
Ask them if they need more information and remind them of the donation deadline. Also, send out updates on your progress so people can see how close to your goal you are—or even if their support has pushed you over your goal!
Parents who have lost a baby feel like they have to grieve in silence. Even though the incidence is staggering, no one wants to talk about it. And so, baby loss is often referred to as a "silent sorrow".
Thanks to Walk to Remember, bereaved families find they are not alone, and that makes all the difference.