FUND RAISING for the Army of Change Project

To the troops in "The Army of Change", today we’ll go over Fund Raising.

Regardless of whatever anyone says, when it comes to finding the cures for both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease, FUND RAISING is the most important way to do this. Fund raising also assists in other critical areas such as care giver programs, and political advocacy. Fund Raising is the life blood of research and without it nothing will ever be cured.

Oh I know, the terror of it all. You’re thinking "Does he want me to ask people for donations?"

Ab-so-lute-leeey!!!

This is so important, we’ve all got to take this seriously. But, that’s not to say it shouldn’t be fun at the same time. Some of you are old pro’s at it, and other’s are total beginners, but it doesn’t matter. Be fearless, be determined and you’re going to do great.

The secret to good fund raising is in the stretch. You need to stretch & challenge yourself to set a fund raising goal which is slightly above your reach, and then go on to reach it. You just might amaze yourself. If you reach it...(actually let me revise that) "when" you reach it, you should challenge yourself all over again to completely eclipse your original goal by pushing past it. If your goal is to raise $1000 try your best to make it happen. If you reach it shoot for $2000. If your goal is $5000 it’s time to break out your top shelf charm and work your magic. If you reach your goal of $5000 it’s time to really show yourself what you’re made of and shoot for 6,000 or 7,000 - You go! Keep climbing...8,000 - 9,000, $10,000. The higher you can go, the greater our chances become to conquer Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease once and for all.

Remember, Fund Raising is the life blood of research and without it nothing will ever be cured.

If you recall I mentioned in the last blog, you should push hard and try your hardest to do your absolute best in fund raising, but for what ever reason if you fall short do not feel bad. If you gave it your best, then "The Army of Change" is proud of you.

You might be asking, "How do I fund raise?"

Well the absolute first thing to do is to visit www.TheArmyOfChange.com and visit the "Choose Your Cause" page.

Select the charity you want to support and click the associated link or follow the instructions given for that particular charity. http://www.thearmyofchange.com/aoc_004.htm After establishing your cause, then you are only limited by your own creativity.

Any honest effort is a good one. Some of you have already told me that you’re planning to fund raise with an event you’re going to host "BEFORE" the Army of Change event. Our new Soldier in the Army of Change "Miriam Pizarro", just held a Garage Sale for Team Fox - which is her charity in "The Army of Change" project. You go Miriam!

Also for example Eileen, one of my team mates in "the Regulars", held a social event last year at a local restaurant to raise funds. Her event was complex, but really well done. There was a DJ for music, and Loretta Hagen’s band played as well. There was food, drinking, dancing, and prizes. She’s hoping to begin organizing her second annual version of the event for this year. I know Eileen’s style event is a really big to do, and if you’re up to the challenge don’t let anything stand in your way. I know you can make it happen.

But, I would recommend that you go for the most simple and least expensive fund raising route possible, at least if it’s your first time trying it. This is the real down home, grass roots, in the trenches with your fellow fund raising soldiers kind of stuff. I recommend this because it’s really simple and you can focus every ounce of your efforts on reaching out to the people around you by word of mouth, email, blog, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, using the US Postal Service, etc.
People are usually most apprehensive about taking that first step. Don’t procrastinate, just do it. It’s not as scary as you might think. You’re going to be great at it. I believe in you.

So this is what you can do right now.

Type up a note which you’ll use in your fund raising notice to your family and friends. It doesn’t have to be long at all, maybe just a few paragraphs. Just something simple and heart felt. You’ll probably want to type, then read it over a few times to make sure it’s a message you’re proud of and will be happy to send. Feel free to re-type it as many times as you like. Don’t worry about it being perfect. I usually re-type my notes 3 times or more until I like them. Even after that, they’re still not perfect, but when I hear from people who get them they can usually tell I’m committed to the cause and I mean what I say with every ounce of my heart.

The things you’ll want in your note:
A quick greeting.
A quick explanation of what "The Army of Change" is.
Why you’re going to take part in "The Army of Change" project on Mount Washington.
Tell them which charity foundation you will be supporting. For example, the Alzheimer’s Association, Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, Focus on a Cure for Parkinson’s, or Team Fox.
Tell them why raising awareness and funds for a cure and or care giver programs is important to you.
Tell them why you’d like them to make a donation to the charity you support.
Include the links to your online donation pages, or an address for them to send their donations to. If they are sending in checks make sure they are made out to the foundation which you are supporting and to put "Army of Change + your name" in the memo line.

! ! ! Please, never accept cash donations or checks in your own name. If you do this the donor will not get a tax credit for his donation from the 501c3 charity which you are supporting ! ! !

It’s really that simple. As time goes on, if you come back for round two as a veteran with "The Army of Change - Mount Washington" you’ll be able to use the experience you gained this year to raise your own bar to new heights in fund raising.
You can do it, I believe in you.

There's a world full of people struggling with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease and they're depending on you.

Repeat after me...
"In the conquest of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease, I was born to end this."

World up,
Enzo