Dear Friends,
For those of you who are apprehensive about making the commitment to participate in the 2010 Avon Walk ... you have similar concerns that I will address. Yes, it is true that a big part of the commitment we make as participants of the Avon Walk is that we will raise a minimum of $1,800.00. I agree it is a big commitment and one that takes a lot of thought and consideration.
There are 2 areas of concern that most people have when registering ... #1 is fundraising and #2 is training to be physically ready to walk a marathon and a half in 2 days.
The 1st year I joined (2002) Tina Cortese, Linda Doering and I registered together ... Tina was concerned about fundraising, I was NOT... I thought that would be the easiest part. I was concerned more about finding time to train and being physically ready. Tina on the other hand wasn't concerned about that so we made a promise to each other that we would help each other out in each of those areas!! We made the best team because not only did we get in lots of training after work but we raised enough money for 2 more walkers to walk with us ... so my best friend and Debbie Aguilar joined our team !!! That was our 1st year as 911 Angels and Tina, Linda and I raised $14,000.00 alone !!!! That walk happened to be a 3 day, 60 mile journey... As a team, we stuck together and we were ready physically and financially!!
This is my 6th year participating in the Avon Walk as team captain for the 911 Angels.. many of our walkers return year after year despite the financial and physical challenges we might face. The feeling of great accomplishment and knowing the profound difference we make in the lives of so many breast cancer victims and survivors is worth all our time and energy. Being a part of the Avon Walk is an experience I cannot begin to put into words. I created a video that might give others a sense of what it is like to be a part of such a great cause.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3FjfCRRndM
I will be frank and honest up front ... the commitment to train and raise the money will take a lot of time and energy but at closing ceremonies you will come to realize, among the sea of faces of so many survivors that the sacrifice we make is so small in comparison to the loved ones who suffer through such a traumatic diagnosis. Knowing the difference we have made with the money we worked so hard to raise makes a profound difference and simply changes each and every one of us. I can honestly say that each team member walks away a completely different person. With hearts wide open, we register year after year ... because we know how important it is to find a cure for cancer and how far the hard earned money goes.
One of the best parts of being a member of the 911 Angels is that we plan team fundraisers. Many of our supporters are our co-workers who sponsor us in many ways through our fundraisers. We usually have one big fundraising event "The Pink Party" which requires a lot of planning and preparation for the silent auction, food, decorations and entertainment. The money is distributed among participating active team members.
However, we know that we cannot rely on team fundraisers alone so we each make the commitment to have "solo" fundraisers. For example, I have garage sales in the spring. My family is going to plan a few car washes, bake sales, and home fundraising parties. My personal goal is to raise my own $1,800.00 so that money raised in "team fundraisers" will go to help another team member who might be struggling to raise the money. But, as a team we expect EVERYONE to actively fundraise.
Once registered as an official walker with the Avon Walk you will be given a webpage for you to personalize and send out email to your friends and family announcing your commitment. Many walkers are surprised at how supportive family and friends are when donations from that act alone start rolling in.
If you are unable to reach your $1,800.00 goal there are options ... many walkers show up at registration (Friday night) soliciting other walkers for "extra" donations. That works for many people but our 911 Angels have never had to resort to that ... we raise our own money!! :) If say you are $300 short at the time of registration, Avon will allow you to defer payment on a credit card but they will not charge your card for at least 2 months in which case you can continue to fundraise for donations after the walk. (We had a few walkers do that last year because donations were expected to come in after the walk).
However, do not let that discourage you as there are soooo many fun and exciting fundraising ideas listed in this guide:
http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/DocServer/SF10_The_Complete_Fun...
Many of our 2010 walkers have already began fundraising on their own. We are having our 1st team meeting this week to discuss fundraising and training. If you decide to join, please let me know and I will send you an invite to the meeting.... if you are still on the fence, join us anyways because we will do a GOOD JOB convincing you why you should join our AMAZING TEAM !!! :)
Despite the decision you make to join our 2010 team, I know we can count on you to support us either way!
xoxoxo
Tara Doxie
911 Angels Team Captain
"Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it's not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won't. it's whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere." - Barack Obama
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