BLEND Walk-A-Thons For Elementary Schools Healthy. Active. Fundraising. SPONSORDED BY:
Elementary School Walk-A-Thons Pre-K to 5th Grade
Walk-A-Thons A Walk and Play Event BLEND Walk-A-Thons are a healthy fundraising model that asks students to seek donations to participate in a day of celebration and physical activity BLEND Walk-A-Thons are mostly about walking, but many schools create a variety of physical activity stations to add to the fun
Why are Walk-A-Thons a Great Choice for Elementary Schools? BLEND Walk-A-Thons: Are ALL-inclusive Promote health and wellness Builds school spirit Increases student engagement and participation
Why are Walk-A-Thons a Great Choice for Elementary Schools? BLEND Walk-A-Thons: Require no contracts Are hassle-free! No more fulfilling product orders Do not ask students to sell products for manufacturers
Walk-A-Thons Promote Health BLEND Walk-A-Thons: Supports school wellness activities Eliminates the sale of competitive foods from fundraising practices Are compliant with the new Smart Snack in School standards
Walk-A-Thons Promote Health BLEND Walk-A-Thons: Provide more opportunities for physical activity Send a positive message about wellness and reinforces physical activity is fun
Get Started Planning a Walk-A-Thon Event.
Title Blurb Seal the Deal Get approval to host a Walk-A-Thon.
The Most Important Step... Establish Buy-In To host a successful and sustainable Walk-A-Thon you must gain school-wide support from: School administrators Educators and staff PTO/PTA
Form a Walk-A-Thon Committee School administrators School educators and staff - A representative from each department is optimal PTO/PTA Student leaders and organizations Don t turn anyone away! Create sub-committees and delegate tasks as needed.
Formulate a Master Plan An essential element in fundraising is to HAVE A PLAN! Start by: Selecting a date Choosing a location Setting a fundraising goal Determining event details Start planning at least THREE MONTHS prior to the event date.
Set a Date Plan an early fall or late spring event Check for conflicts Get on the school calendar right away Announce to school community Hosting a Walk-A-Thon during the school day maximizes participation.
Select a Location The best Walk-A-Thons provide children of all abilities the opportunity to participate. Choose a track or walking path. Don t have one? Designate an open space Multiple surfaces offers a place to walk and a place for games Being outside of the classroom is part of the appeal!
What if it rains...or snows A bad weather back-up plan is critical. Plan to move indoors, or Plan with a different date
Establish a Fundraising Goal Determine how much is needed to support school needs. 1. Review past fundraisers 2. Do the math On average, 60% of students participate in BLEND Walk-A-Thons Students bring in $20-$60 averaging $40 per student Let s calculate: 300 students x 60% participation = 180 students 180 students x $40 donation = $7,200 fundraising goal
Tell Us... Why are you fundraising? Are you raising money for field trips, technology, supplies, etc? What do you hope to accomplish? Meet fundraising goal Build school spirit and excitement Increase participation Offer healthy fundraising Eliminate product sale fundraisers So, tell them!
Transparency is KEY Be clear and upfront with everyone in the school community. The most profitable Walk-A-Thons share Fundraising goal Where the funds will go Incentive and prize opportunities
Customizing a Walk-A-Thon! It s ALL in the Details
Brand the Walk-A-Thon Come up with a dynamic overall theme. Brainstorm names Create a memorable slogan Design a logo
Determine Event Details Budget Timeline for Walk-A-Thon Physical activity stations and games Promotions Incentives Donations Volunteers
Walk-A-Thon Budget It s important to discuss and establish a budget.
Budget Talk Walk-A-Thons are low-cost, but some expenses to consider: Incentives Printing costs Promotions Rentals Professional fees Brainstorm money saving opportunities!
A Fun-Filled Walk-A-Thon Plan a fundraiser to remember!
Kick-Off the Day with Excitement Start the Walk-A-Thon day with an assembly. Announce: Activities planned Funds raised Incentive winners
Walk-A-Thon Timeline Elementary Walk-A-Thons most often allow students to walk and play during their 50 minutes Specials Time (Art, Music, Phy Ed & Health). It s better to keep grades and age groups together Consider extending the time for older elementary students.
Walk the WALK then PLAY Begin the Walk-A-Thon with walking! Identify how long or how far students walk before participating in physical activity stations. Example: Walk 2 laps around the track or walk for 10 minutes Then, encourage students to pick a station, get active and have fun!
Physical Activity Stations Get students moving!
Make it Fun Add structured and unstructured physical activity stations to boost the fun! Include activities for students with disabilities
Physical Activity Stations Plan fun, age-appropriate activities. Hula hoops Jump rope Bean bag toss Pool noodle games Catch and throw Kickball Soccer Ring toss Invite community champions, mascots and older students to lead the activities.
Hydration Station Provide opportunities for students to hydrate throughout the Walk-A-Thon.
Promote, Promote, Promote A good communication plan will enhance the success of the Walk-A-Thon.
School Promotions Make sure everyone in the school knows about the Walk-A-Thon including visitors! Make large posters and hang on hall walls Ask art students to create them Promote in: Parent and student communication pieces School website and social media
Community Promotions Announce the Walk-A-Thon to the public. Add to: Local newspapers Community calendars and digital billboards Faith bulletins Local businesses and organizations Radio and T.V. Don t forget to mention event sponsors!
Material for Students Give students: A hand-out to show their potential donors what the Walk-A-Thon event is all about A money envelope for safe keeping and to track donations Keep it simple!
High Volume, Short Turnaround Send home hand-outs and money envelopes one week before the event. Encourage students to start bringing in donations as soon as they get them
Material for Staff Provide school staff with details about the Walk-A-Thon. Draft a memo Post information in the staff lounge Inform during staff development days Send email updates
The Power of School Staff School Staff plays a significant role in building excitement for the Walk-A-Thon and encouraging students to actively seek donations.
The Power of School Staff Continuous reminders, countdown to the event, updates on total funds and parent communication pieces are essential. Create a thermometer poster and other images to hang in classroom or hallways Elementary-aged students love friendly teacher contests, classroom battles and principle challenges
Hi, my name is Enlist staff in preparing a script to help students ask family, friends and neighbors to support the Walk-A-Thon. Make it a classroom activity Hi, my name is and I am a grader at school. My school is having a Walk-A-Thon to raise money for, would you like to donate? 100% of the money raised will stay at my school!
Create Excitement with Incentives! Increase student participation and help meet fundraising goals.
Boost Participation Incentives are a sure way to get students involved. Incentives can include: Prizes Experiences (FREE) Exclusive event activities Don t forget to budget for incentives!
Prizes for Top Earners Individuals: ipod Kindle Bikes School apparel, etc. Classroom: Dance party Healthy lunch party, etc.
On-The-House Incentives Individuals: Principle for the day Line leader School DJ Recognition, etc. Classroom Additional hour of play Recognition in local paper Principle promise, etc.
Exclusive Event Activities Offer activities during the Walk-A-Thon for students who raise a targeted amount of money. If the goal for each student is to raise $40, plan special activities and prize drawings for those who reach the goal. Example: Activities: dunk tank, Minute to Win it, duct tape principle to wall, etc. Prizes: gift cards, water bottles, book markers, etc. Raise $60: unlimited play in bounce house Raise $75: unlimited play on portable bungee trampoline
Fairness in Fundraising Include ALL students in Walk-A-Thon activities. When offering incentives, create opportunities so every student has a chance to win or experience something special.
Every Penny Counts 100% of the money raised stays at the school.
Collect and Track Donations Devise a system to collect donations: Designate a drop site home room, main office, or assign an area Create a spreadsheet or ledger to track individual and classroom donations this will help identify and reward top earners Recruit staff and volunteers to pick-up, tally and track
Event Volunteers Volunteers are Key to Success!
Volunteer Recruitment The number one reason people don t volunteer is that they weren t asked Recruit parents, community partners and civic groups Ask college and middle/high school students to lead games and activities
Volunteers Responsibilities Collect donations Walk with students Oversee games Supervise bathroom break Photograph event Recognition activities
Make it Memorable Take photos! Record Walk-A-Thon!
Take a Lot of Photos Gather photos and add to: Yearbook and other school publications School website and social media Thank you cards for donors and sponsors Future marketing and promotional material Don t forget to send photos to the local newspaper!
Capture the Moments on Video Create a video of the best Walk-A-Thon moments Post on website and social media Share with school community - parents, staff and donors
Post Walk-A-Thon Plans No plan is complete without a little follow-up!
It s Time to Celebrate Announce funds raised Send out thank you cards Publish photos and videos
Leave NO Stone Unturned Identify lessons learned and make note for the next Walk-A-Thon. Ask what worked and what didn t work?
Bundle it Up! Gather all planning materials and create a binder for future use.
Save the Date Start planning the next Walk-A-Thon. Schedule the next Walk-A-Thon and get it on the school calendar right away! Make an announcement to Save the Date
Walk-A-Thon Resources For more information and to download sample letters and templates, go to: www.blendcentralmn.org (320) 251-2700 ext 77524 SPONSORED BY: