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FUND RAISING

Each rider must raise a minimum of $2,000 in pledges with checks payable to "Special Olympics New York (SONY - Hudson Valley Region)".   For some this will be easy, while others will find it more challenging than the ride itself.   Just as with the training, keeping your focus on the issue and pacing yourself will help you to be successful.  

This year Special Olympics NY has partnered with Kintera, an online donation management system to help you raise funds for the tour. You can access this site by logging on to the Bresnan website http://bresnanbiketour.kintera.org .   Kintera makes it possible to register online , sponsor riders, email personalized letters to your friends, create your own web page and receive credit card donations online.

Before you begin your fund raising, set a goal.   It may be also helpful to set mini-goals. Incorporate these mini-goals into your training calendar, and be sure to ask for help EARLY if you need it.   The various organizations benefiting from the Bresnan TdW have educational materials to help you become more familiar with their missions and how these funds are used.

We have provided sample letters to assist you with your fund raising efforts.   Start early and make it your goal to submit your funds before the ride starts.   Too often, riders have held on to their checks for several months after the R ide. By the time they are submitted for payment, these checks have gone stale and banks may be reluctant to cash them.   You should plan to start your fundraising immediately after the March dinner (or when you start your training) and plan to have your minimum of $2,000 of pledges raised and collected before the ride begins.

The most significant thing you can do is let people know they can help change the lives of others less fortunate by making a pledge and that they can help even if they cannot ride.   People will be amazed at your commitment to ride so many miles, believing that they could not do what you are about to do. Talk with them about your training and the other riders that you have met.   Get them involved by asking them to be your sponsors.   Do not forget to remind people that their pledges are tax deductible.

Once you begin receiving your pledges please forward them to the Special Olympics Hudson Valley office in a timely manner.   As you accumulate a few, send them along for processing.   This helps the beneficiaries with cash flow, allows the check to be returned to the sponsor for accounting purposes and eliminates the chance of checks being "tucked away" and never heard from for months, which causes problems for everyone.   Once Special Olympics receive a check it is credited to your account and an acknowledgement is forwarded to the sponsor.   Please try to insure that you have an address for each sponsor.   Remember, if you qualify for matching gifts, get the application, fill out your portion and forward it to Special Olympics for completion.

SPECIFIC FUND RAISING SUGGESTIONS

1.  Make a list of everyone that you know (holiday card lists, faith communities and work directories are great) and contact each one about the Ride.   Write a letter describing how you became involved with the Ride and ask them for a pledge. Identify a specific amount (it may be hard to be that assertive, but it yields good results).   Follow up with phone calls or face-to-face discussions about the Ride and their pledge.

2.  Have a House party and introduce your friends to the Ride and ask them to make a pledge.

3.   Ask people out for lunch (pay for their lunch) talk about the Ride and ask for a pledge. 

4.   Have a bake sale with the proceeds going to your pledge commitment. 

5.   Ask people to make a pledge to your Ride instead of a holiday or birthday present. 

6.   Because you are so strongly believe in the Ride, ask your sponsors to ask their friends and relatives for pledges, so that the power of their pledges can multiply. 

7.  Ask local businesses if you may set up a table to ask customers for pledges. 

8.  See if your company has matching gifts for not-for-profit agencies so that a $50.00 pledge may result in a $100.00 pledge. 

9.   Keep pledge forms handy with you at all times (in the car, at work, around the home) so that you can give them to people when you are talking about the Ride. 

10.  Get a “pledge jar” at work or get some “fundraising candy” to sell at work with the proceeds going to pledges. 

11.  Ask your workplace/company to sponsor you. 

12.  Make a Website on the Internet asking for pledges for the Ride. 

13.  Have a car or bike wash and give all the proceeds as your pledge to your self. 

14.  Make commemorative T-shirts about the ride so that your sponsors will have a reminder of you and a souvenir of the Ride. 

15.  Wear your Ride T-shirt around town and engage people to talk about the Ride. Ask them to become involved or to make a pledge. 

16. Ask friends and relatives that live out of town for pledges.

SAMPLE FUND RAISER LETTER 1

Dear friend:

For my __ th consecutive year, I will be riding in the Bresnan Bike Tour, a fundraising bicycle ride covering 230 miles from New York to Vermont.   The proceeds raised from this event will be used to benefit both the Westchester Arc and Special Olympics New York -   Hudson Valley Region.   Both of these organizations provide support to over 1,000 children and adults with varied disabilities by providing them the opportunities to learn new competencies, experience new situations and overcome obstacles through the spirit of sports.   Last year, 70 riders participated in the ride and raised over $300,000.   With cuts in State and sponsor funding, the need to raise money this year is greater than ever before.

As you can imagine, riding to Vermont is very difficult and requires months of training. Even though I know what to expect, the physical preparations seem to get more difficult every year.   Aging is neither fun nor graceful and Lycra is not particularly flattering.   As I begin my training regime, I am writing for your financial sponsorship.   If you would like to help, please make your check payable to Special Olympics New York (SONY)-Hudson Valley Region and return it to me in the enclosed envelope .   All checks will then be collected and forwarded to the Special Olympics Hudson Valley office.   Your donation is tax deductible.

Thanks for your help.

Thank you for considering this special request.

SAMPLE FUND RAISER LETTER 2

Dear______________:

I want to share with you something I plan on doing and hope I can count on your support in making this a great success for everyone.

I am going to ride in the Bresnan Bike Tourthis June 10 to 12.   It is a 200-mile bike tour from Putnam County to the outskirts of Bennington, Vermont.   It is a wonderful event, which has raised nearly two and a half million dollars to benefit Westchester Arc and Special Olympics New York - Hudson Valley Region over the years.   These two organizations provide programs and services to thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in our local communities.

I am committed to raise a minimum of $2000 and I am asking your support.   Any pledge amount you could provide would be greatly appreciated.   Your donation is tax deductible and if there is a possibility of a double-match, please let me know.   This will benefit two outstanding organizations and the people they serve.

Your check should be made payable to Special Olympics New York- Hudson Valley Region and returned it to me.   I will forward my pledges as I receive them.

I want to thank you for sharing this experience with me!   Although I will be the one riding the bike, your support and confidence will motivate and inspire me as I raise funds to help the organizations that serve these deserving people.

Thank you for considering this special request.

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

Indemnification:  All cyclists and crew will be required to sign an indemnification agreement(s) prior to participation.

Bresnan Bike Tour

Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk and
Indemnity Agreement

In consideration of participating in the Bresnan Bike Tour, I represent that I understand the nature of cycling events and that I am qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such an activity.   I acknowledge that if I believe event conditions are unsafe, I will immediately discontinue participation in the activity.   I will insure my bicycle is in good working condition and I will wear a protective helmet at all times while riding.   Furthermore, I will comply with instructions as provided by the Tour supervisors, I will follow the stated Tour route, and I will not embark until support crew are in place and the Tour route is officially opened.

I fully understand that cycling events involve risks of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis and death, which may be caused by my own actions, or inactions, those of others participating in the event, the conditions in which the event takes place, or the negligence of the "releasees" named below; and that there may be other risks either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages I incur as a result of my participation in the activity.

I hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to sue Bresnan Communications, Special Olympics New York- Hudson Valley Region, Westchester ARC or their respective administrators, directors, agents, officers, volunteers, employees, other participants, additional sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the activity takes place (each considered one of the "RELEASEES" herein) from all liability, claims, demands, losses, or damages on my account caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the "releasees" or otherwise, including negligent rescue operations; and I further agree that if, despite this release, waiver of liability, and assumption of risk I make a claim against any of the releasees, I will indemnify, save, and hold harmless each of the "releasees" from any loss, liability, damage or cost which may be incurred as the result of such claim.

I have read this RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNITY AGGREEMENT.   I understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it and have signed it freely and without inducement or assurance of any nature and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by the law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue if full force and effect.

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Signature of Participant                                                            Date                                         

CYCLIST / CREW PROFILE