Fundraising Friendly Businesses

An Easy Way to Fundraise

Jewel Osco has provided Team Challenge with a great fundraising opportunity. If you need that extra push to make your fundraising goa consider canning at your local Jewel- Osco. All you need is our CCFA IRS Determination Letter (available online at the participant handbook), information about CCFA, and can to collect donations! Click Here to access the participant handbook and download all the materials you need to begin your canning event. Login: illinoistc@ccfa.org Password: illinoistc

Call your local Jewel-Osco and begin today!

Other businesses that do "Community Nights" for local charity events:

Pot Belly
Noodles and Company
Chic-fil-a

There are many more local businesses that will help you fundraise by donating a percentage of their evening's proceeds to your cause. You know your neighborhood and your town best, remember to ask when you are out and about!

Coaches Corner: A message from Coach Brad

We have reached to half way mark in our training. Way to go Team Illinois! You have probably reached different milestones in your training that may have seemed impossible 8 weeks ago.
The training programs have now moved into the double digits for our long Saturday workouts. Congratulations to those who completed their first 10 mile workout!

There are few things to keep in mind to be successful during this phase of training.
• Break down the workout- You wouldn’t eat a steak in one bite? Same principle applies completing an endurance event. These longer distances can seem very daunting. Don’t try to wrap your mind around the whole distance. Think about completing the next mile or pick a landmark like a tree, building or telephone pole and getting to that point.
• Now is the time to think about pre-race nutrition. Be sure to fuel the body before your long workouts and figure out a race day nutrition plan that will work for you.
• If you have a hydration system, use it during your workouts.
• Post run nutrition- Your muscles will be fatigued and need proper nutrition to begin the repair process. A combination of carbs and protein within 30 minutes of finishing your workout is optimal.
• Stick to the training plan- It is normal to feel tired for a few days following a long workout as you increase mileage. On the other side, you may feel very strong toward the end of the week and be tempted to train faster or farther than the workout in your training plan. Follow your training plan.

Please reach out to your coaches if you have any questions about the above items or any other concerns.

Check out Julie and Paul Mikrut's pictures from their fundraising event!

This slideshow design generated with Smilebox

Week Eight: How to Start Getting Ready by Coach Stacey

Welcome to week eight training.  How is your training going or not going?  Are you feeling stronger, or not quite sure that this is something that you will be able to do?  Have you started visualizing your race or you don’t even know where to start to see it?  These are the some of the things that are quite normal, and you are not alone!  The first thing that I am going to tell you, and you have heard this before from me and Coach Brad, and he even wrote a piece on it - CONSISTENCY! It is so important.  If you have not started training, please take the time to talk to either Coach Brad or myself so that we can get you started.  However, it is important to be consistent from here on out.  If you need to rearrange the training schedule talk to us, we will help you move days around so that it will fit your schedule.  But, and I want you to hear what I am saying, if you need to rearrange your life to accommodate your training THAN THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO!  I know that this may sound harsh, however, it is the truth, and what you must embrace.  You need to eat, breathe and sleep this training so that you can be as prepared as you can be at the race.  Come to Saturday trainings so that you can bond with your team and coaches.  Coming to Saturday trainings is the one thing that will help with consistency.

   

This is the time that where your training is going to be intense, your Saturday trainings are going to be longer, the time that you spend during the week training is going to be longer, doing this on your own will be hard, why not make it easier on yourself and come to the Lakefront for the group training?  Not only will you have your other teammate to train with, but the whole running or walking community that is out training for their events.  It will also give you a better understanding of what it is like to be surrounded by other and how to navigate them.  We understand that for some of you that it is a distance to travel, and that gas is expensive, but, we promise you the benefits will outweigh the negatives.  Plus you just may meet someone that lives close to you and you can train during the week together and carpool to the city on Saturdays.

I want everyone to start thinking about traveling, and what the weekend is going to look like.  In the very near future Coach Brad and myself will be hosting a race prep clinic, we are going to go over everything from what to pack and why, to what you can expect on race weekend.  Please make sure that you come to that meeting as it is one of the most important clinics we will give.  But start thinking about what you think you are going to need during your race, what are you going to wear, how are you shoes?  Are you going to listen to music or nothing.  How about your hydration pack, have you found one that you like?  These are just some of the things that you are going to make sure you have ironed out before you leave. 

Start this week - Saturday’s training is 10 miles for everyone, if there ever was a time to start preparing for the race, this is it.  The sleep that you get on Thursday night, is going to be the sleep that you will run/walk on Saturday, so try to get 8 hours of solid sleep on Thursday night.  Make sure that you are hydrating always, but make sure that on Thursday and Friday that you are you hydrated.  Use the pee test as you guide.  Eat a well balance meal both Thursday and Friday evening.  Make sure that on Friday you eat both complex and simple carbohydrates.  Friday evening if you partake in an alcoholic beverage, please limit it to one.  Lay out what you are going to wear on Saturday morning so that all you will have to do is put it on.  Have everything ready to go, and if you can even put whatever you are going to need in your car on Friday night so you are not having to remember everything that morning.  A change of cloths and a pair of comfortable sandals to change into.  Plan what you are going to eat on Saturday morning.  What nutrition are you going to have with you?  These are the trainings that you want to make sure that you have both nutrition and hydration with you.  What about Gatorade?  Can you use Gatorade, or do you have to use something else?  If you do, you need to make sure that you have it with you.  The point to the training from the beginning, but not is critical to figure all of this out now, so that come race weekend you will know everything that you have to do, you won’t even have to think about it.  Failing to plan is planning to fail. 

We will be meeting at the Lakefront, Montrose Harbor, start time is 7:30 AM Sharp.  We will be starting with a few announcements and then we will be sending you on your way.   You will be turning around at the 6.5 mile marker.  I will be one my bike this week so that I can see as many of you as possible.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email either myself or Coach Brad.

Meet Your Mentor: Angela McCreary

Hi Team Illinois! Dex McCreary, my husband, and I have completed the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon every year since our daughter, Brooke, was diagnosed at the age of two with ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hepatitis (2008).  

Brooke has done well with the meds and has not had any flare ups since getting it under control.  She just turned five and has steadily been climbing the growth chart...35% in weight up from 5% & 65% on height up from 7%!

CCFA  helped us deal with all that was going on and inspired us.  I remember the GI specialist we drove 3 1/2 hours to see at Children's basically handed us a huge three ring binder about CCFA and uc when she was diagnosed.  When I checked out the CCFA  website, I saw the Team Challenge Napa information.  This was my opportunity to get to wine country! (Dex had been there many a times with work)  It was great to have a goal....something positive in the storm of unknown.  

Last year, we ran with the Chicago team (after moving to a city that had a local team).  CCFA has helped my family and I through the early tough times and has allowed us to grow along with others along the journey.  I am inspired every year through out the event.  This last years young speakers at the pasta party touched my heart and made me cry (although I am an easy crier).  We are so thankful for the research done by CCFA and all the amazing donors. 

I was a secondary mentor last year as we joined a little late because of moving, but pretty much took the team communication and the trip part on.  This year I am in school going back for nursing, so life is a little crazy. I loved the experience and sharing it with others.  Sometimes seeing how young this disease can hit can pull on heart strings....at least it does mine.  We need others to be aware so that the suffering before diagnoses can be eliminated.  Brooke had symptoms since she was 10 months old, and it took until she was two before her diagnosis.  It is very frustrating! If we spread the word, hopefully others can be empowered to push their doctors for the right test and medicine can be started.  Hopefully, someday she will not have to take medicine three times daily.  Hopefully, some day we will have a cure!  Until then, Dex & I will be "crossing the finish line for a cure". 

99 FUNdraising Ideas for Team Challenge!

1. Letters to friends, family and business associates
2. Letters to area businesses and clubs
3. Business solicitation for corporate sponsorship
4. Trick or treat for Team Challenge (TC)
5. Bake sales (at church, office, Sam’s, car show, etc.)
6. Chili cook off at work
7. Set up canisters in local stores; ask managers first
8. Canister drives at grocery stores, Jewel Osco etc. Check with staff first to see if the date is
available and get guidelines.
9. Sell Golf coupons
10. Wine Tasting Party
11. Garage Sale
12. Poker Run (in cars, on motorcycles or bicycles)
13. Murder Mystery Party
14. Raffles
15. Collect loose change from your neighborhood.
16. Get a “bar” to schedule a charity event
17. “Celebrity” bartenders with tips going to TC
18. Scavenger Hunt
19. Beg your employer for a donation
20. Ask friends if their company has a matching gift
21. Contact organizations at schools to see if they are interested in some type of community
work involving fundraising. Perhaps a class could raise money for you. You could provide a
pizza for the class who raises the most funds.
22. Have booths at local fairs
23. Sell candy at work (if that is okay.) You can get them cheap at Sam’s or from local
fundraising company, sell for $1.00. Use CCFA candy wrappers with your website to drive
more donations.
24. Co-sponsor a dance, proceeds go to TC
25. Contact Bowling Alleys and set up a bowl-a-thon or Scotch Doubles Bowling Tournament.
Most are willing to work with you to set up a night for you and your friends.
26. Have a hat day at a local school and charge $2.00 for kids to wear a hat.
27. Pampered Chef Party; be
sure your friends are aware that it is NOT a tax deductible
donation since they are receiving a product and all their money does not benefit CCFA.
28. Avon, Partylite, Longaberger Baskets, Creative Memories (ask salesperson for details)
29. Fun Run
30. Car Wash (have your church group, student council, coworkers help out)
31. Holiday craft sale
32. Jeans day at work – workers pay $5 to dress down.
33. Local media publicity in local newspaper
34. Roadblocks or stop light donations (be sure to check if you need a permit).
35. Trivia night
36. Volleyball tournament
37. Softball tournament
38. Basketball tournament
39. Poker tournament
40. Bunko party
41. Kentucky Derby Party with Silent Auction
42. Golf tournament
43. Happy hour party
44. Chili Supper
45. Pancake Breakfast
46. Ask local businesses to donate a percentage of profits in one day to CCFA
47. Super bowl party
48. Halloween party
49. NCAA basketball 50/50 pool
50. World Series Party
51. Silent Auction at work
52. Swimming Party
53. Early or late movie screening (some theatres do this for charitable causes).
54. Pie bake-off (Sell tickets for votes and samples)
55. Miniature golf tournament
56. Sell parts of your body to co-workers (e.g. For $10 donation you will write their name on your leg for the race.)
57. Neighborhood block party -$10 per family and bring a dish
58. Send a follow-up flyer to your mailing list 60 days after original letter.
Remind them of target
goal, how much money you have raised, how training is going, etc.
59. Sell “Shop for a Cause” coupons for local retailers.
60. Have a 50/50 Cash drawing
61. Ask the pastor at your church if you could speak during the announcement part of mass and request a second collection for the CCFA.
62. Wrap presents for tips at local store around the holidays.
63. Contact your high school/college and see if they will write a story about you in their alumni
newsletter. Include address for donations
64. See if your employer will allow you to do a Cardinals/Blues (or other sports team) Day and
allow them to wear team apparel for the day for a minimal fee
65. Host an auction/dinner party
66. Dog walk your neighborhood dogs for a fee to raise money. “Incorporate it” into your
training. If it’s a big dog, it may increase your speed.
67. Start a pool with your office and have them predict the time in which you will finish the
marathon. Require a fee for entry and bring home a special souvenir for the winner from the
marathon
68. Forward your Web link in as many ways possible. Have a page that logs fundraising
activities or weekly miles that you ran of walked.
69. Host a casino night. Sell chips for money that you keep and offer prizes to the high winners
70. Collect aluminum cans at work and turn them in for money
71. Sell advertising space on your body during the marathon
72. Sucker pull. Participants (at a fair) pay for a chance to pull suckers from a board.
If the end of the sucker is colored, the person wins a prize.
73. Attach a Post-It note to your letters and ask your friends and family to pass the letter on to
friends (enclose additional letters)
74. Wear your patient bracelet and charge $1.00 to anybody who asks you why you are wearing it.
75. Wear a button with the TC logo and charge when people ask you about TC.
76. Provide valet trash service to your neighbors for a fee/bag/week
77. Bring your cute, well-behaved children to canister drives to help solicit donations.
78. Ask your neighbors to collect aluminum cans and collect them weekly
79. Mow yards for donations.
80. House sit, dog sit or baby sit for donations.
81. Search the internet for “fundraising ideas”
82. House clean for donations
83. Ping Pong Tournament at work.
84. Ask a service person to donate tips for a day
85. Leave a canister at your hairdressers
86. Wingo (Wine tasting and Bingo together)
87. Pet wash/Dog wash
88. Student/Faculty Basketball Tourney
89. Beg your boss for a donation
90. Open house party for new home
91. Charge your spouse $20 for 30 minute back rubs… hey; it’s cheaper than a masseuse!
92. Plant Sale. Buy cheap plants or grow your own if you have a green thumb
93. Ask your friends and co-workers to share a recipe and create a cookbook on your PC.
Sell it back to them for $10.00. (You might include the fee with recipe donations to insure a set
number of “sales”)
94. Create a Holiday Gift Basket and have a raffle for it.
95. Road Rally
96. If you are crafty, make items and sell them
97. Bingo Party
98. Have a local celebrity make an answering machine tape and auction it off.
99. Host a “Breakfast with Santa” or “Brunch with the Easter Bunny.”

If you have questions about an idea, ask your mentor for suggestions or contact jcross@ccfa.org.

Use your creativity and ingenuity when planning events. Don’t be afraid to ask for donations
from local businesses or receiving an item “at cost”. Many businesses are happy for the
opportunity to help especially if you have a sign that states who gave the donated items.

Team Challenge Promotions Internship Opportunity

About: We are looking for a enthusiastic individual with a passion for promotions and endurance training. The intern will be responsible for summer promotional activities in Chicago and the Chicagoland area. If you enjoy a team atmosphere, love endurance sports, and want to help a charity raise money for a cause this summer, apply today!

Activities:
• Strategically promoting the Team Challenge half marathon fundraising and training program in the Chicago and Chicagoland area through grassroots marketing.
• Attending local races, 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, and marathons to represent Team Challenge to potential participants.
• Coordinate creative promotional events leading to greater participation in the Chicago area.
• Tabling at local gyms, expos, symposiums, and races leading to greater visibility in the endurance sports community.
• Garnering local media attention for Team Challenge and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America by writing provocative press releases and forging relationships with local press.
• Communicating with local community fairs, farmers markets, and other high traffic Chicago events to promote Team Challenge.
• Assisting the Endurance Manager with team activities such as team trainings, fun runs, fundraisers, and information meetings.
• Taking part in the implementation of a cohesive and consistent marketing message for Team Challenge.

Qualifications:
• Must be a student who is majoring in or interested in pursuing a career in marketing, public relations, communications or other relevant subject.
• A positive, energetic, and entrepreneurial personality.
• Solid understanding of online social media and Microsoft Office suite.
• Able to commute to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Des Plaines, Illinois office.
• Availability on weekends is a must.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sales experience is a plus but not required.
• Passion for community service.

This internship is unpaid, however incentives for exceptional performance will be awarded.

Please send your resume and cover letter to Junnie Cross, Endurance Manager, Team Challenge Illinois jcross@ccfa.org or fax to 847-827-6563.

Honoree Melissa Black's YouTube Video about Crohn's Disease!

Meet Your Match

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

Team Challenge ½ Marathon

Participant Information: Matching Gifts Explained

Matching gifts are a great way to raise additional funds for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, funds which will aid in advancing the Foundation’s research and awareness efforts.

However, because of the length of time that it takes for most corporations to process matching gifts, they will most likely not be received by the Foundation in time to be counted as part of monies raised for your goal.  This handout is intended to help explain the matching gift process, as well as provide you with information on how you can help move the process along.

What is a matching gift?
Matching gifts are donations made from your employer that matches a charitable contribution that you have made.  Matching gifts can double or even triple the amount of the original contribution.  Many companies have matching gift programs.  If you are unsure if your company has a matching gift program, or if you need information on how to apply for a matching gift from your employer, you should visit your company’s Human Resources department.  

How do matching gifts work?
• Once an employee makes a charitable contribution, they submit a matching gift form to their company. 
• The company then sends a request to the charity to confirm receipt of the donation to be matched.  This confirmation request is sent by either mail or email.
• The charity then has to confirm that they did in fact did receive the donation, as well as confirming how much of the received donation is tax-deductible.
• Once the charity has verified the gift, the form is resubmitted to the matching gift company.
When the company receives the verified form from the charity, the matching donation is processed as a payable item.

How long does it take for a matching gift to be paid by the company?
Most companies do not process matching gifts on a rolling basis; they are often done on a quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis, meaning they only issue payment checks at specific points in the year.  Additionally, many matching gift programs have cut-off dates for verified submission forms.  Checks are often sent out 4-6 weeks after the cut-off date.  It is important to find out if your company has cut-off dates for their payment schedules, as missing cut-off dates can delay a payment.

To better explain how checks can be delayed, consider this example:
Mary works for Microsoft, and her sister Jane is participating in Team Challenge.  Mary makes a $100 donation to CCFA in support of Jane.  She then submits a matching gift form to the Microsoft Employee Matching Gift Program.  Microsoft notifies the Foundation that a match has been requested, and the Foundation verifies the gift.  However, during the submission and verification process, the company’s cut-off date for the payment has passed, and Mary will now have to wait another full quarter until her matching gift is paid out.

How can you help in the matching gift process?
Happily, there are several easy steps that you as a participant can do to ensure that the matching gift process move as smoothly and as quickly as possible.

1) Ensure that all matching gift notifications are submitted to your chapter Team Challenge Manager by entering their mailing and e-mail address on the form submitted to the employer.

2) Do not send Matching Gift Verification Forms to the processing center.  Submit them with a copy of the corresponding donation to your chapter TC Manager.

3) If a donor submits a matching gift form to their company using an online system, they will receive a confirmation email. They should forward that email to  you to forward to your chapter Team Challenge Manager so they are aware that a confirmation is required.

4) Most matching gift forms have an area on them where the donor can chose what program they want the gift designated to.  For Team Challenge, the donor designation should be completed as “Team Challenge—Event Year and Site—Participant Name. For example:
Team Challenge—2011 Napa—Jane Smith
The designation is the ONLY way we know that the gift should be credited to a Team Challenge participant.

5) Be sure that you communicate these directions to any of your donors who will be submitting a matching gift to their company on your behalf.

6) Have patience. As you can see from the description of the process, matching gifts take a long time to materialize.  It is because of this lengthy process that we caution you: do not count un-paid matching gifts as part of your fundraising minimum.

Support Take Steps of Chicago with some GREAT, FAST Sandwiches from Jimmy Johns!

Please come out and support CCFA's fellow signature event, Take Steps at one of these Jimmy John's locations for delicious sandwiches on Monday, May 16th from 5PM-8PM. Jimmy Johns will be donating 20% of the evenings proceeds to Take Steps Chicago!

Below are the participating locations:


1557 N Milwaukee Avenue, Wicker Park 
1250 S Michigan Ave, South Loop 


Don't forget to order one of their delicious cookies, crispy chips, and deli pickles! Remember 20% of the proceeds goes towards finding  a cure for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis!

Recommitment T-Shirt

The first 25 particpants who recommit to Team Challenge Illinois will recieve this amazing t-shirt!