Annual Bowl-A-Thon
By Sheila Hebein & Bill McCarthy
The Bowl-A-Thon is NADS’ major fundraising event. The money we raise goes directly towards the critical programs we provide for families. This event has been successful in the past because of the generous support of NADS members and friends. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to get involved and to support the variety of programs NADS offers—and experience a fun day with friends and family!
New This Year! Online Pledges and Registration for Bowlers
All bowlers must register. Since this is our major fundraiser, many members collect hundreds of dollars in pledges, but a minimum of $100 is required to bowl.
This year, we are offering a new online resource. We are happy to announce that NADS has partnered with online fundraising service provider Firstgiving™ to give you an exciting new tool to use in gathering pledges for the Bowl-a-Thon. With Firstgiving you can quickly and easily create your own personal fundraising web page (no experience required) and send it to your friends and family, who can donate by credit or debit card in an easy, secure online transaction. All you need to do is:
- Create a login for yourself on the NADS Firstgiving web page at firstgiving.com/nads.
- Build your online fundraising page that will display the NADS banner at the top. You can write a paragraph or two about why you are raising funds, upload your photos or even videos, and set your dollar goal.
- Email the link to your page to all your potential donors.
- Friends and family click on the link in their email to see your personal page and can see your text and photos. They can also see the progress you’ve made toward reaching your fundraising goal and can read comments left by other donors.
- Donors can securely use their credit or debit card to donate. They will receive an immediate response that their donation was received, and will receive a receipt that they can use when filing their taxes. It’s also easy to send personal thank yous to your donors using the Firstgiving tools.
The Firstgiving NADS page also registers bowlers online. Check it out and create your own page today! Go to: www.firstgiving.com/nads.
Bowl-A-Thon Money-raising Tips & Tricks >>
Bowl-a-Thon Southwest Airline Ticket Raffle
NADS is selling raffle tickets for two passes for roundtrip transportation between any two cities within the Southwest Airline system and will expire on 4/11/2011. Tickets are $5.00 each and can be purchased by calling the NADS office at 847-723-3136. The winner will be announced at the NADS Annual Meeting on May 20, 2010. Winner need not be present. Restrictions may apply.
Other Ways You Can Help
Ask your employer about matching gift possibilities. Obtain items for raffle and door prizes, such as gift certificates or merchandise. Ask businesses you know to sponsor a lane. Sell grand raffle tickets. The grand raffle prize drawing will be held at the Bowl-A-Thon, and winners need not be present. To obtain additional raffle tickets, find out more about lane sponsorship or to donate prizes, please contact the NADS office at 630-325-9112.
We look forward to seeing you on March 7th!
