WALK FOR MAGIC

 “Helping Kids Grow”

www.magicfoundation.org

 

Participation Instructions

 

Thank you for wanting to participate in the second annual “Walk for MAGIC,” helping us raise money for MAGIC and its various divisions.  MAGIC could not continue to operate without fundraising help from people like you.

 

We have tried to create this “Walk for MAGIC” fundraiser to be easy and flexible for you.  Below are simple step-by-step directions to help assist you in having a very successful walk!  If you have any questions, please email mary@magicfoundation.org or call 1-800-3MAGIC3.  Thank you for your help!

 

Before Your Walk:

  1. Measure and map out an easy walk with an achievable distance – 5 to 15 miles being most common.  Adults can typically walk 3 miles per hour; estimate 1.5 miles per hour for children, and make sure to budget in snack and lunch stops.  Parks with paved paths or even a lazy walk on sidewalks through your town can be ideal locations. Treadmills can be useful – be creative! Some people find it easier to walk laps around a ¼ mile track – but beware that children can often get bored with walking laps.

 

  1. Ask friends if they would like to walk with you – the more the merrier.  You can call or email MAGIC for additional participation kits, or just extra walker bibs.  If you are interested in connecting with other MAGIC families in your area to form a group walk, contact us!

 

  1. Pick a day and time for your walk that works for you, in the months of September or October 2005.

 

  1. Read through the enclosed sample “pledge appeal” letters. You can cut and paste from these samples to create your own letter, which you can then hand out, email or mail to anyone.  If your child is walking, have him write a short letter – experience shows donors love letters from children.

 

  1. Recruit and record pledges on the enclosed pledge sheet.  Complete addresses are required so that MAGIC can mail tax deduction receipts for donations $100 or more.

 

    1. You can use a single pledge sheet for your whole family, or family members can each have their own pledge sheet, getting their own individual pledges.
    2. Sponsors can donate an up-front amount to you, regardless of how many miles you end up walking, OR
    3. Sponsors can pledge a dollar amount per mile that you walk.

 

On the Day of Your Walk:

  1. Have fun!  Safety pin your walker’s bib to your t-shirt to show your MAGIC pride (pin the top 2 corners or all 4 corners)!  Wear comfortable shoes and sunblock, pack a fanny pack or backpack with snacks and water.  And remember that no one is timing you – it is more important to walk as many miles as you can than to worry about how long it takes you to walk!

 

 

After Your Walk:

 

  1. Rest.  J

 

  1. Collect your pledges:

 

    1. Customize the sample “thank you to up-front donors” letter – write a brief thank you note to your sponsors that made donations up-front – just letting them know how your walk went.

 

    1. Customize the enclosed “thank you/pledge collection” letter, filling it out with how many miles you walked, and what amount the person owes MAGIC.  Give this to everyone on your pledge sheet who made a per mile pledge.

 

    1. Collect the donations from all pledges. All donations are tax deductible, as allowable by the IRS.  Checks must be made out to “The MAGIC Foundation.”  Contact MAGIC if a receipt is needed by someone who pays with cash.   A donor’s check will act as a receipt for tax purposes, but formal MAGIC receipts will also be mailed for any donation $100 or more.

 

  1. Mail your pledge sheet(s) and your donations no later than Nov. 15, 2005 to:

MAGIC Foundation

ATTN:  Walk for MAGIC

6645 W. North Avenue

Oak Park, IL 60302

 

            Make sure to keep a copy of your pledge sheet(s) before mailing them!!!!

 

  1. Give yourself a pat on the back from MAGIC – we truly appreciate your time and help.

 

 

 

QUESTIONS?

Contact MAGIC by email at mary@magicfoundation.org or phone 1-800-3MAGIC3