Updated 8/30/2009 - by Sue Tolle
Parent Advocates Down Syndrome
Form A Buddy Walk Teams - Click links below for packets, forms and sample letters
What is a Buddy Walk Team? A Group (any size) willing to walk to promote awareness, acceptance of & advocacy for those with Down syndrome, their families, professionals & community. The team raises funds to support PADS programs & the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB through the John Mark Stallings Endowed Support Fund.
Why Create a Buddy Walk Team? A Team is Unifying - By recruiting and gathering walkers and donors to celebrate and support your honoree, you are bring together many willing to stand unified for a person & a cause.
A Team is Inspiring - Teams are encouraged to carry signs or banners with their group name on them & a picture of the individual with Down syndrome they are honoring. The size of the team does not matter; its significance is in the demonstration of love, dedication & devotion that is being displayed for the individual with Down syndrome being honored.
A Team Makes a Difference - Team members help spread the message of awareness, acceptance & advocacy for all individuals, of all ages with Down syndrome on the day of the Buddy Walk & for many months, if not years to come.
A Team Advances Action - Teams can become major fundraising giants when they supplement registrations with personal or solicited donations & when Team members take it upon themselves to reach out to their circle of contacts to walk or contribute thus broadening participation & escalating funds raised.
Forming a Team is a great opportunity to...
• Raise awareness, acceptance of and advocacy for individuals of all ages with Down syndrome
• Honor someone with Down syndrome and Build Team Spirit. Employers and activity groups, churches or company sponsors may like to display the sign at their establishment. PADS' website has sample sign designs and words for slogans that might give you ideas when creating your Team Sign.
• Make the Buddy Walk meaningful, memorable and enjoyable. A Team picture will be taken at the Buddy Walk.
What is the Team's Purpose? • To heighten awarness of, give support to and raise funds for individuals with Down syndrome through the programs offered and the clinic supported by Parent Advocates Down Syndrome.
Parent Advocates Down Syndrome...
...is a not for profit organization.
...was established to raise awareness about Down syndrome in Alabama
...is tireless in promoting the acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome
...is dedicated to the provision of resources, support and education to the families, caregivers, teachers and community of individuals with Down syndrome
...is an enduring advocate, campaigner for advocacy and recruiter of advocates to champion the causes, quality of life and rights of every individual with Down syndrome.
... provides funding and support to the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB. The ADSC exists to serve the unique medical needs, both acute and comprehensive, of adults with Down syndrome in Alabama and surrounding states. In addition to participating in outcomes based research, the clinic will serve as a resource for physicians in the South East. This pioneering effort is only the second of its kind in the United States.
What is The Buddy Walk? The Buddy Walk was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to bring together a wide range of concerned individuals to reach out to friends, family and co-workers to promote awareness and inclusion for people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for education, research and advocacy programs. The Buddy Walk is one of the main fundraising events for Parent Advocates Down Syndrome (PADS).
What is a Buddy Walk Team? Families members or Friends of an individual with Down syndrome form teams of recruited family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers and community contacts to walk for the cause of awareness, acceptance of and advocacy for those with Down syndrome, their families, caretakers and community. The team raises money that furthers these causes in the programs and activities offered by PADS as well as the funding and support PADS provides to the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB.
What does PADS do with the Money Raised? • PADS is always looking for ways to have the expenses of the Buddy Walk underwritten by in-kind donations and Corporate Sponsor so that very little of the funds raised at the Buddy Walk go toward expenditures.
• Funds raised at the Buddy Walk stay here in Central Alabama to further the causes of awareness, acceptance of and advocacy for those with Down syndrome, their families, caretakers and community through the programs and activities offered by PADS as well as the funding and support PADS provides to the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB.
• PADS is a member of National Down Syndrome Society and the National Down Syndrome Congress to signify our unity with National efforts, in support of the National Cause on behalf of more than 350,000 individuals with Down syndrome in America and to support research, education and advocacy initiatives at the national level.
How to Form a Team? (In 10 Easy Steps!)
1. Name your Team
2. Decide:
A. If you want to collect registration forms (your team members may also sign up online at downsyndromealabama.org)
B. OR if you want to create a personal fundraising page on http://www.firstgiving.com/ParentAdvocatesDS
3. Create a invitation (mailing) list
4. Compose and Send a personalized letter to your list to invite as many walkers & donors as possible.
5. Recruit Team Members and donors with a follow up note or a phone call
6. Collect registration forms, fees and donations from your Team members by October 10th.
7. Turn in the registration forms, fees and donations you've collected on October 10th at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church - and pick up your T-shirts. Your Buddy Walk Team are those who respond to your invitation by registering to walk or those who send a donation.
8. Distribute t-shirts to your team members & Tell your team to meet you at the Team Check-in sign at Regions Park
9. Enjoy! Have a wonderful, inspirational and memorable day at the 10th Annual Buddy Walk on Oct 18th!
10. Thank your team participants and donors.
Letter Campaign: (Easy Steps for Team Fundraisers)One of the most effective (& easiest) ways to raise money for the Buddy Walk is to launch a letter writing campaign. You can reach many contacts by simply drafting a personalized letter to explain why you, your company, &/or family are participating in the Buddy Walk. This is done from the comfort of your home & it can be your ticket to fund raising success! Some team coordinators write more than one version of a letter to address different audiences (i.e. family, work place, grandparent contacts).
Step 1: Develop Your Mailing List - Determine who you will send it to. The longer your list, the larger your results.
- Start with lists you already have - Address Book, Rolodex, Holiday Card List, Team/League Rosters, Church/Club Directories, Vendors, E-mail List
- Don't forget people from your past-Classmates, Roommates, Teachers, Neighbors, Co-workers, Teammates, Fraternal/Alumni Groups
- Then add: - Businesses You Frequent, Colleagues, Families of Your Child's current & past Schoolmates
Step 2: Compose Your Letter - Here are a few tips:
¨ Include your fund-raising goal.
¨ Mark the October 10th deadline for registrations/donations (in order to be counted toward the overall Team total)
¨ Speak from the heart & tell people why awareness & acceptance of & advocacy for children & adults with Down syndrome is important to you. Share the hope that research & community support brings to everyone associated with Down syndrome. Tell of the comfort that the establishment of the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic gives to the future.
¨ Note that all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law & that checks should be made out to PADS or Parent Advocates Down Syndrome.
¨ Give the reader a peak into your honoree's life by sharing their achievements and telling of their activities and interests. Express your commitment to individuals with Down syndrome and tell why PADS is worthy of time and financial support.
¨ Find a photo of your honoree. If you have the capability, insert the picture into the body of your letter on a computer or include a printed picture within the letter if you'd prefer.
¨ Remember you can have 2 or 3 different versions of the letter drafted to send to different contacts.
¨ Sample Letters are available online at downsyndromealabama.org.
¨ Enclose a self addressed envelope with each letter (stamped if possible).
Step 3: Mail (email) your Letters-Ideally, your letters should go out about four weeks before the Buddy Walk - although successful results have been achieved "in a pinch". Team coordinators have also been successful with e-mail blasts or handouts. Spontaneous invitations are fun and surprising when someone you meet shows interest in the Buddy Walk or you bump into an old acquaintance who is ready to jump on board.
Follow up Be Brave - Asking someone to participate or contribute can feel risky - BUT...sharing your love and commitment to an individual with Down syndrome can be educational, inspiring and motivating to others.
Boldly invite those on your list and try not to be bashful with those you spontaneously meet who show interest in the Buddy Walk. Sharing promotes awareness about Down syndrome and the Buddy Walk, encourages acceptance & will make your advocacy known.
HOWEVER - Your risk may cultivate a fellow champion through this experience.
Step 4: Write Thank You Notes - Send thank you notes to all your supporters announcing your success. Acknowledging your contributors' generosity will encourage their future support! For a special touch include a picture from of the event - they are yearlong keepsakes.
Steps for Team Registration & Donations: 1. Request a Team envelope (to track and contain your team member's registration forms, fees and donations) from the PADS office by calling Sue Tolle at 205-988-0810 or email your request to downsydromealabama@gmail.com.
2. We recommend that you ask each Team Member to Register on or before October 10th.
They may register either by:
A. Completing a Registration Form - have them mail or give the forms, fees and donations to you
B. OR by registering online downsyndromealabama.org - PADS will notify you of their commitment.
C. OR register if you chose a personal fundraising page - they may register online at http://www.firstgiving.com/ParentAdvocatesDS
3. Place all registration forms, fees and donations in the Team envelope. Write Team member information on the front of the envelope. We recommend that you collect all registration forms, fees and donations by October 10th.
4. On October 10th between10am -1pm deliver your Team Roster Envelope with Team Member registration forms, fees and donations to the Lighthouse Lobby at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. At that time pick up t-shirts for each registered Team Members
The T-shirt they receive is the receipt of their $10 registration fee and the ticket to enter the Buddy Walk. All donations in addition to the $10 registration fee as well as any independent contributions made will be credited to the Team's overall fundraising total.
What if someone I invite cannot participate as walker? If they make a donation will it count toward the Team Total?
Yes! They may use the registration form (make checks payable to PADS) or the online registration (with a credit or debit card) to make a donation. All donations must be received by October 10th to count toward the Team's overall fundraising total. (Donations received after this date will only be credited to individual fundraising totals)
Instruct your contact to write in the Team or Individual's name of the person they are honoring on the line that reads:
I'm walking/making a donation for Team
Instruct them to mark the box that states: Donor Only
I cannot attend the Buddy Walk but have enclosed a donation to support individuals with Down syndrome:
The Team that raises the most money by October 10th:
· Act as the Grand Marshall for the Buddy Walk.
· Have their team photo in next year's brochure.
· Present Buddy Walk keepsake to their Honored Individual with Down syndrome.
Can Team members register after October 10th or on the Day of the Buddy Walk?
Yes! They may register on the day of the Buddy Walk from 12:30-1:45pm. T-shirts will be available while supplies last. New Team members may walk with the team. Funds raised by New Team members will not count toward the overall Team fundraising total BUT these funds will be eligible for individual fundraising prizes.
SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER (dates, numbers and figures need to reflect post Buddy Walk counts)
Dear Friends & Family,
Thank you for your continued support of Taylor, our family, PADS - Parent Advocates Down Syndrome, and the Buddy Walk. October 18th was a beautiful day and Regions Park was a wonderful location. Our team consisted of 40 walkers. This was the best turn out we've ever had and we reached our fundraising goal of $6000.
The Buddy Walk raised over $100,000 this year (and money is continuing to be collected)
The estimated headcount for the entire Buddy Walk was over 1200. Isn't that awesome to know how special the day was for all those who walked in celebration of individuals of all ages with Down syndrome and for donors to realize the inspiration and far reaching impact the Buddy Walk will have upon Central Alabama.
We are so excited to be a part of PADS and we are so thankful to have the love, support, and acceptance of our family, friends, and our community for Taylor!
Thank you so much!!
Sincerely,
Anne
SAMPLE TEAM LETTER (fictitious names & situations for sample letter)
On behalf of Drew, I would like to invite you to the 10th Annual Alabama Buddy Walk on Sunday, October 18th from 2-4pm at Regions Park Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. Our family will be participating in the 2009 Buddy Walk hosted by Parent Advocates Down Syndrome (PADS).
As many of you know, Drew was born with Down syndrome and since that wonderful occasion our family and families like us throughout Alabama have directly benefitted from the programs offered by PADS. We have access, from Drew's infancy through adulthood, to quarterly newsletters, support groups, educational conferences, social opportunities, advocacy assistance in our local schools and communities and much more. We also are encouraged and take pride in PADS' ground-breaking role in establishing the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB, only the second of its kind, right here in Birmingham, Alabama.
The goal of the Buddy Walk is to raise $100,000 to support PADS and aid the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB. Physicians and a clinic coordinator are already on board and families are coming in from all over the Southeast, and beyond for comprehensive, compassionate care. With support such as this, you can see why we are hopeful about Drew's future.
We've formed a team to walk for Drew - Drew's Crew. Drew's team goal is to raise $3000 and have a team of 30 walkers. PADS is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization so your gift is tax deductible, and will help raise much needed funds. All proceeds from the Buddy Walk will go toward continuing the programs of PADS and the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic. The Team that raises the most money by October 10th will act as the Grand Marshall for the Buddy Walk, have their team photo in next year's brochure, and present a Buddy Walk keepsake to their Honored Individual with Down syndrome; which would be Drew!
There are numerous ways to join Drew's Crew, you can:
•1. Walk with us at the Buddy Walk. Complete your Registration form and pay the $10 registration fee online at downsyndromealabama.org, or you can mail your registration form and fee to our home at 5555 Never Road, Birmingham, AL 35000 by October 10, 2009. Make checks payable to PADS and write Drew on the memo line. Team member registrations must be received by October 10th in order to receive the Buddy Walk T-shirt (your ticket into the Buddy Walk) and have total dollars raised credited to Drew's Crew overall Team Total.
•2. Sponsor the Team at the Buddy Walk. Help us reach our fundraising goal even if you are unable to attend the Buddy Walk by making a donation in honor of Drew's Crew. Donation may be made online at downsyndromealabama.org, or can be mailed to our home at the address listed above by October 10, 2009 in order to be credited toward Drew's Crew overall Team total. Make checks payable to PADS and write Drew on the memo line.
•3. Strengthen the team - Invite others. Send out personalized version of this letter to your circle of contacts and invite them to participate or support the 2009 Buddy Walk. Follow the same registration procedures by having them send their registration forms and fees to our home at the address listed above or register online at downsydromealabama.org
If you have any questions, please contact us via email xxxx@xxxxx.com or phone 555-555-5555. Also, please feel free to share this information with any business or person you know who might consider supporting Drew.
Drew and I will look forward to hearing from you and hope that you can come to the event on October 18th for a fun-filled day that is truly inspirational.
Dana
Drew's Mom
SAMPLE Team Email Blast or Handout
TEMPLATE
Join [Insert company, group, church name here] and become a team member of [Insert Team name here] - Support individuals with Down syndrome here in Alabama!
[Insert individual with Down syndrome name here] is the [Insert relation here] of [Insert name of contact person here] in the [Insert group or department name here].
To become a team member [Insert Team name here] come and walk on Sunday, October 18th at Regions Park from 2-4pm for the 10th Annual Alabama Buddy Walk hosted by Parent Advocates Down Syndrome (PADS). You'll be uniting with [him/her], [his/her] family and friends along with hundreds of others to bring awareness and acceptance of and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome.
If you're interested in becoming a part of [Insert Team name here], or would like more information, please contact [his/her] Team Coordinator by phone or e-mail:
[Insert Coordinators name - phone # & email address]
Your registration of $10 by October 10th will add your name to the Team Roster and provide your Buddy Walk T-shirt, which is your entry ticket to the Buddy Walk. You may also give an additional donation, introduce us to a Corporate Sponsor or recruit others you know to join the walk. This will help us reach our goal to significantly support the programs PADS offers and the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB. We hope you'll join us - as one of [Insert Team name].
You can learn more about PADS by visiting their website at downsyndromealabama.org.
SAMPLE #1 (fictitious)
Join Star Bank and become a team member of Angela's Angels - Support individuals with Down syndrome here in Alabama!
Angela is the daughter of Larry Long in the Marketing Department.
To become a member of Angela's Angels come and walk on Sunday, October 18th at Regions Park from 2-4pm for the 10th Annual Alabama Buddy Walk hosted by Parent Advocates Down Syndrome (PADS). You'll be uniting with us, Larry's family and friends along with hundreds of others to bring awareness and acceptance of and advocacy for individuals like Angela with Down syndrome.
If you're interested in becoming a part of Angela's Team, or would like more information, please contact her Team Coordinator by phone or e-mail:
Sara Jones 777-7777 oooo@ooooo.com
Your registration of $10 by October 10th will add your name to the Team Roster and provide your Buddy Walk T-shirt, which is your entry ticket to the Buddy Walk. You may also give an additional donation, introduce us to a Corporate Sponsor or recruit others you know to join the walk. This will help us reach our goal to significantly support the programs PADS offers and the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB. We hope you'll join us - as one of Angela's Angels.
You can learn more about PADS by visiting their website at downsyndromealabama.org.
SAMPLE #2 (fictitious)
Join Troup 64 and become a team member of Drew's Crew - Support individuals with Down syndrome here in Alabama!
Drew is Casey Smith's brother.
To become a member of Drew's Crew come and walk on Sunday, October 18th at Regions Park from 2-4pm for the 10th Annual Alabama Buddy Walk hosted by Parent Advocates Down Syndrome (PADS). You'll be uniting with Casey, his family and friends along with hundreds of others to bring awareness and acceptance of and advocacy for individuals like Drew with Down syndrome.
If you're interested in becoming a part of Drew' Team, or would like more information, please contact his Team Coordinator by phone or e-mail:
Julie Smith 888-8888 ssssssss@sss.com
Your registration of $10 by October 10th will add your name to the Team Roster and provide your Buddy Walk T-shirt, which is your entry ticket to the Buddy Walk. You may also give an additional donation, introduce us to a Corporate Sponsor or recruit others you know to join the walk. This will help us reach our goal to significantly support the programs PADS offers and the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB. We hope you'll join us - Be one of Drew's Crew!
You can learn more about PADS by visiting their website at downsyndromealabama.org.
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