REQUEST FOR TEAM CAPTAINS MEMO
The first step in building a Walk team is to recruit Team Captains. Distribute this sample memo to the leaders in your company to identify representatives to serve as Team Captains. To: Department Heads
From: Name of Senior Level Executive Date: Month X, 2008 Re: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes
I’m pleased to announce that this year (company name) will join hundreds of other local corporations and families for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) 2008 Walk to Cure Diabetes. This family oriented event will be held on (date) at (location). Proceeds from the Walk will support research vital to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes. (name of company) is stepping up to support JDRF because of their unwavering commitment to find a cure for type 1 diabetes - a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications including kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, heart attack and stroke. Children with diabetes will not outgrow this disease. Their need for insulin will not decrease with age. The only remedy is a cure. In addition to serving as a Sponsor of the Walk, (company name) is committed to having a large Walk team, with no less than (number of people) individuals raising at least (fundraising goal) collectively. To meet these goals, I am asking each department head to volunteer to be a (company name) Team Captain. If there is someone else within your department who would like to serve as the Team Captain, he or she may take your place or work with you as a Co-Captain. Team Captains are responsible for recruiting team members from within their department to participate in the Walk. Being a Team Captain is easy and enjoyable. You’ll recruit team members from within your department to participate in the Walk. Friends and family members of (company name) employees are also welcome to join our team. JDRF staff will provide our Team Captains with all the necessary information and materials to ensure your success! Team Captains will also receive an invitation to attend JDRF’s annual Team Captain Kick-Off Luncheon set for (date) at (location) in (city). Please confirm the name of your department’s Team Captain with (name of internal lead at your company) by (due date). The team coordinator or I will provide Team Captains with further information after that date. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation. Together, we can make great strides in finding a cure for diabetes.
REQUEST FOR TEAM WALKERS MEMO
The second step in building a Walk team is to recruit walkers. Distribute this sample communication to all employees to announce your company’s participation. To: All Employees
From: Name of Senior Level Executive Date: Month X, 2008 Re: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes
I’m pleased to announce that this year (company name) will join hundreds of other corporations and families in our community for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) 2008 Walk to Cure Diabetes. This family oriented event will be held on (date) at (location) and will feature live music, entertainment, special attractions, food and children’s activities. Proceeds from the Walk will support research vital to finding a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes - a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications including kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, heart attack and stroke. In addition to serving as a Sponsor of the Walk, (company name) is committed to recruiting a large team of walkers and raising (fundraising goal) for diabetes research. To accomplish this goal, I ask that you please consider joining the 2008 (company name) team by following these three easy steps:
Step 1: Register for the Walk at www.jdrf.org, Click on the sneaker icon under ―Get Involved‖, then go to the
―Register For A Walk Now‖ section. When completing your registration form please select (company name) from the pull down menu as your team name. Step 2: Collect donations from family, friends and neighbors. JDRF’s goal is for each walker to raise $100 in pledges, so let’s all strive to achieve that goal. A form for collecting donations can be found at www.jdrf.org. Walkers who register online have the opportunity to create their own personal fundraising web page. Friends and family can visit your page to read your story, join our team, and make an online donation to support you and the (company name) Walk team. You can check back to your page to update your message, see who has supported you, and view how close you are to reaching your fundraising goal. Step 3: Join me on (date) as we ―walk to cure diabetes!‖ Since its inception in 1970, JDRF has provided over $1.16 billion for diabetes research—more than any other non-profit, non-governmental agency in the world. More than 85 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research education. Their mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. I know each of you will do your part to support both (company name) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in this worthwhile community event. Contact a (company name) Team Captain today if you need more information. A listing of our Team Captains is below. Thank you in advance for your support and enthusiasm for this extremely worthwhile cause – finding a cure for diabetes. (LIST TEAM CAPTAINS AND EXTENSION NUMBER OR EMAIL ADDRESS HERE)
SAMPLE VENDOR LETTER
The third step in building a Walk team is to raise money. Consider sending a letter to your suppliers/clients requesting their support of your company team. Month X, 2008 Name Title Company Address City, State Zip Code Dear (name): I’m confident you get solicited by several non-profit organizations each year, just as I do. However, I recently attended a breakfast hosted by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and was impressed by the organization and its mission. So impressed that (company name) is stepping up to support JDRF in their quest to find a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. JDRF funding and leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications including kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, heart attack and stroke. Last year, JDRF provided over $137 million to diabetes research and has been responsible for more than $1.16 billion in direct funding since its inception in 1970. Over 85 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research education. JDRF will host its 2008 Walk to Cure Diabetes on (date) at (location). The employees of (company name) will be at the starting line to help JDRF’s local Chapter reach its goal of raising over $2 million for diabetes research. Please consider supporting the (company name) team and JDRF by doing one of the following: Make A Corporate Contribution: Support our team by writing a check payable to JDRF and mailing it to me by (date). Walk With Me On The (company name) Team: Collect pledges, get a team T-shirt, come share the camaraderie, and help (company name) reach its goal of raising (fundraising goal) for JDRF.
If you would like to receive information on how to form your own Walk team, please contact (JDRF Walk contact) at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at (248) 355-1133 or (email). Thank you in advance for your support and enthusiasm for this extremely worthwhile cause – finding a cure for diabetes. Sincerely,