I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the Boston
Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
Whenever I latch onto a goal, I typically go full throttle with the kind
of gusto that is great but can require the need to reorganize quickly.
In the preliminary stages of planning to fund-raise for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk,
I immediately had grand plans involving anyone and everyone. Wrong.
Below are tips I have learned along the way to make your next fundraising
experience less stressful and hopefully a bit more effective.
Find a partner. Planning an event on your own can be a daunting, never-ending series of tasks.
Working alongside someone organized who has passion equal to your own
will make things seem a great deal more manageable.
I was fortunate to have another Boston lifestyle blogger Amanda of Prim & Propah actually
volunteer when I sent out my first email feeler to the Boston blogger network.
She has been a miracle, especially as she works full-time as a Project Manager (she certainly kept me on task!)
Incorporate your interests. When Amanda and I first met to brainstorm, we had just taken a vinyasa yoga class taught by Ali Singer of The Yoga Hub. It was a challenging class and after we felt amazing.
Immediately we thought about asking her if she was willing to collaborate.
She immediately jumped on board, and our Yoga on the Common event was born!
To keep the event inclusive, there is no fee to participate, it is purely donation based.
One dollar, two, whatever people can manage.
We truly believe this event is about bringing people together, creating community
and focusing on well-being all for a good cause.
The Yoga Outlet generously provided us with a massive prize to give away to one attending
yogi who made a donation on our Eventbrite page while Temple Flower is providing everyone a special discount on their beautiful American-made yoga apparel!
Think big picture. We knew the yoga event would attract a great crowd
(our RSVP’s steadily approaching 100) of predominately health conscious women.
What about the guys!?
This is when our Harpoon Sip For A Cause event came to be.
Harpoon generously provided us their private tasting room for a 90 minute
private tasting of 12 different draft lines.
That wasn’t enough. Dozens of Boston area business jumped at the chance to provide the most amazing prizes for our raffle while Baker’s Best Catering offered to serve up the most delicious bites (food is important!)
Still not done. The gift bags. Again, the brand generosity was real.
So much so, at times the process was pretty emotional.
I cannot thank our sponsors enough:
Seaweed Bath Company for the amazing basket, 21 Drops (find them in your gift bag), The Cottage Chestnut Hill, Ku de Ta, Tom’s of Maine, Thesis Beauty, Tablelist, Salon Capri, Skoah, Davio’s Chestnut Hill, Showcase SuperLux, Stephi’s in Southie, Craigie on Main, BCAE, The Kirkland Tap & Trotter, Paint Nite, Duchess Newton, Garment District and The Coolidge Corner Theater.
A special thank you also to our local artisans that donated for the beautiful local
handmade basket one lucky winner will go home with; Alaina of Extras by Alaina,
Holly of HNichols Illustration, Lianna of Salem Style,
Bev of Linkouture and Amanda Atkins!
There is still plenty of time for you to become involved (whether in person or as a virtual walker!)
Register here and use the code BLOG to get $5 off your registration.
Remember the lives your efforts have the potential to change.
Dana-Farber is very much in need in order to continue their research and superlative patient care.
We hope to see you Thursday evening or Sunday!
Wilbert Varquez
September 1, 2015This is cool. Fashion with a cause.
Georgina Castellucci
September 2, 2015Thank you Wilbert! xo