Frequently Asked Questions:
How many people do you need to form a team?
How much do I have to raise if I am on a team?
How should people pledge me? Should they pledge per mile?
How old do you have to be to participate?
Will there be maps available on the day of the Ride?
What is the adult pledge minimum? What does a pledge minimum mean?
Fundraising
The key to raising funds is to be creative and make fundraising as much fun as the event itself. Hang up posters, send e-mails and voicemails, tell your knitting circle or book group, talk to the staff of your favorite bike shop, and get your friends and neighbors involved to spread the word that you are participating to support Vermont CARES.
Tricks to fundraising:
- Start with your own personal donation. Your friends, family and colleagues will be more apt to sponsor an event that you are committed to yourself.
- Start early and ask everyone.
- Agree to match the highest individual pledge and publicize that fact.
- Educate yourself, and by extension, your sponsors about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and what Vermont CARES is doing in your community.
- Ask for pledges from colleagues at work on payday, or when tax returns come in. Timing is important.
- Ask businesses, too. Find out if local businesses or corporations have a matching gift program.
- If you form a team, have a competition amongst friends to raise the most money.
- Ask your spouse or other family members to help collect pledges, too.
- Have a party and charge admission.
- If you save your sponsor list, fundraising will be faster and easier each year.
- Personally call each and every potential sponsor, or go greet them in person. People are more likely to give money if they know who they are giving it to.
- Call back people from previous years and ask them to pledge again this year (or increase their pledge).
- Always ask. The worst they can do would be to say no.
Top
This year we have added a new option to participate in the Ride. Riders may choose to pay a flat rate of $75 to ride. The more fundraising that can be done the better and often works best for teams. However, if individuals don't have the option of pounding the pavement for sponsors, but still want to ride, this is the way to go!
Top
- Do I have to wear a helmet?
YES! Helmets are required at all times when you are cycling. The Ride takes place on public roads and safety should be exercised at all times.
Top
- How many people do you need to form a team?
You need two or more individuals to form a team.
Top
- How much do I have to raise if I am on a team?
The pledge minimum is the same for Team members and individuals. Each person on your team needs to raise $100 in addition to their registration fee.
Top
- How should people pledge me? Should they pledge per mile?
We discourage cyclists to collect pledges per mile. Weather usually plays a big role in the day and it is much easier to ask for a flat pledge from others.
Top
- How old do you have to be to participate?
The minimum ride open for all participants is 12 miles. Cyclists need to be old enough to complete at least 12 miles. Plus, those under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. This adult must be with you at all times.
Top
- Will there be maps available on the day of the Ride?
Yes, we will have maps available that will detail each of the routes. You will be given your own map to follow. In addition, the roads will be well marked and there will be staff on hand at every Support & Gear stop. Also, we will give out rider numbers on the day of the Ride.
Top
- What is the adult pledge minimum? What does a pledge minimum mean?
For riders choosing the $35 adult registration rate minimum fundraising for Champ Ride is $100 for each individual and team. A pledge minimum means that you must have $100 raised in donations to be turned in the day before or the day of the Ride. This money (along with your registration fee) is put back into the community through education programs, direct service, and free, anonymous testing for HIV/AIDS infected, or at risk, individuals.
Top
|
