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,