Walk for Warmth SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2017 2017 Sponsorship Opportunities
FACT SHEET DATE: Saturday, February 11, 2017 TIME: WHERE: WHAT: 8:00 am Registration 9:00 am Walk Kick Off ACSET West Side Complex 215 Straight NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 The Walk for Warmth is an annual event, hosted by Community Action Agencies across the country, to raise funds for heating assistance for low-income households. PARTICIPATE: as a Sponsor (see page 4) as a Donor (see page 5) as a Fundraiser (see page 6) as a Walker (see page 7)
THE NEED Lower-income families are more vulnerable to energy costs than higherincome families because energy represents a larger portion of their household budgets. Energy is consuming one-fifth or more of the household incomes of lowerand middle-income families, reducing the amount of income that can be spent on food, housing, health care and other necessities. 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% Estimated U.S. Household Energy Costs as Percentage of After-Tax Income 0% less than $30K $30-$50K more than $50K Source: American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, Energy Costs Impacts on American Families, 2015 Fixed-income seniors are among the most vulnerable to energy cost increases due to their relatively low average incomes. 2
OUR MISSION h ACSET Community Action fights the causes and circumstances of poverty by investing in low-income individuals and families. Through dedicated staff and community partnerships we provide services, resources, education and advocacy to improve the quality of life for all residents of Kent County. In 2015, we invested over $900,000 in utility payment assistance to avert shut-offs. However, the need for assistance consistently outweighs our ability to help. That is why we need your support. f Many of those less fortunate in our community are forced to make the choice to feed their families or heat their homes. No one should have to make choices like this. That is why we walk! All of the proceeds raised by Walk for Warmth are used to provide emergency heating assistance to households in Kent County. Our goal this year is to raise $20,000. Your participation - at any level - will help us reach our goal and warm the hearts and homes of those less fortunate. As a single parent, college student and homeowner, my family and I struggled through some tough times. Unexpected expenses left me unable to pay my gas and electric bills on more than one occasion. ACSET Community Action s assistance helped us make it through these hard times. Today I am employed by the State of Michigan. I know that the support I received from ACSET played a big part in where I am today. Shandra P. 3
SPONSOR Connect your brand to a heart (and home!) warming event. PLATINUM SPONSOR OPPORTUNITY - $2500 Sponsor name and quote in the body of the event press release. The release will be distributed to local media one week prior to event. As Grand Marshal of the Walk, a representative will have an opportunity to speak before the walk and lead the walkers for the first block. Most prominent sponsor logo displayed on Walk for Warmth T-shirts. Most prominent sponsor logo on ACSET Community Action Agency website (communityactionkent.org) with link to company site for one year. Recognition on ACSET Community Action Agency s Facebook page (facebook.com/ communityactionkent/). Sponsor logo displayed on cover photo and in timeline posts beginning two weeks prior to event. Most prominent sponsor logo on Walk for Warmth posters distributed throughout the county and placed in high-visibility areas. Most prominent sponsor logo on display at the walk site the day of the event. Sponsor recognized in Thank You advertisements GOLD SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES - $1000 Sponsor logo displayed on Walk for Warmth T-shirts. Sponsor logo on ACSET Community Action Agency website (communityactionkent.org) with link to company site for one year. Recognition on ACSET Community Action Agency s Facebook page (facebook.com/ communityactionkent/). Sponsor logo displayed in timeline posts beginning two weeks prior to event. Sponsor logo on Walk for Warmth posters distributed throughout the county and placed in high-visibility areas. Sponsor logo on display at the walk site the day of the event. Sponsor recognized in Thank You advertisements SILVER SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES - $500 Sponsor name displayed on Walk for Warmth T-shirts. Sponsor logo on ACSET Community Action Agency website (communityactionkent.org) with link to company site for one year. Recognition on ACSET Community Action Agency s Facebook page (facebook.com/ communityactionkent/). Sponsor name displayed in timeline posts beginning two weeks prior to event. Sponsor name on Walk for Warmth posters distributed throughout the county and placed in high-visibility areas. BRONZE SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES - $250 Sponsor name displayed on Walk for Warmth T-shirts. Sponsor name on ACSET Community Action Agency website (communityactionkent.org) with link to company site for one year. Recognition on ACSET Community Action Agency s Facebook page (facebook.com/ communityactionkent/). Sponsor name displayed in timeline posts beginning two weeks prior to event. 4
DONATE IN-KIND DONATIONS Refreshments Consider making a donation of coffee, hot chocolate, juice, water, bagels, donuts or other items to serve to the walkers on the day of the walk. h CORPORATE MATCHING f Matching your employees pledges is a great way to support the walk! 5
f FUNDRAISING IDEAS Here are some ideas on how to raise money for the Walk for Warmth FUNDRAISE Mitten Sales Contact a Walk for Warmth representative and ask for a supply of Mittens. The mittens are sold for $1 each write the name of the person purchasing the mitten and then display at the office or place of business. Cook Offs What a great way for individuals to show-off their best recipes. Consider a chili cook-off or best cookie recipe. Gather individuals to participate by providing the food item to be judged, promote the event to the rest of the people at work, school or church. Collect a nominal donation ($5.00) to those who taste and judge! Penny Collection Here s an idea for the little ones...decorate a plastic jar or box and let the kids drop in their pennies for a month and donate the collection to support the Walk! Or encourage people to spare their change for others by dropping in the change from their pockets. Dress Down Days Allow your staff to dress down on specified days if they make a contribution to the Walk for Warmth. Be sure to let your customers know why staff are casual they may want to support you as well! Be creative! 6
WALK WITH US! Get a team together and walk with us on Saturday, February 11, 2017! Ask your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, or anyone else to join you for a walk. It s a great way to spend quality time with special people in your life and you have the satisfaction of knowing you re helping others in your community who are having trouble making ends meet. Make it a fun consider a competition see who can raise the most money or who can organize the biggest team. Encourage your team to get creative and have fun! 7
2017 Walk for Warmth Sponsorship Form Yes! I d like to support the 2017 Walk for Warmth! Please indicate the sponsorship level that interests you: Platinum Sponsor $2500.00 Gold Sponsor $1000.00 Silver Sponsor $500 Bronze Sponsor $250 Prize Donation Mitten Sale Location Corporate Match Pledge Collection Contact Person Company/Organization Address Phone Number Check enclosed Prize Donation(s) Please bill me Email Please email the completed Sponsorship form to: scervantes@acset.org fax to: (616) 336-4121 Attn: Susan Cervantes or mail to: ACSET/Walk for Warmth Community Action Agency 121 Franklin SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Questions? Please call Susan Cervantes at (616) 336-4121 or scervantes@acset.org DEADLINE FOR SPONSORSHIPS: JANUARY 27, 2017
2017 Walk for Warmth Pledge Sheet Participant: Representing: Address: City: State: Zip: Sponsors: I agree to sponsor the named participant in the Kent County Walk for Warmth. I understand my pledge will be used for heating-related needs and is a tax-deductible contribution. Pledges will be taken on a flat rate or per mile basis. All pledges should be turned in on the day of the walk. Please make checks payable to: ACSET Walk for Warmth. SPONSOR ADDRESS $ PLEDGED $ COLLECTED As a WALK FOR WARMTH participant, I agree to hold ACSET/The Community Action Agency, and any person or employee on behalf of the agencies, sponsors, organizations, the County, or any of its agencies harmless for any injury, damages. or any other claims arising from my participation, and I understand the collection of unpaid pledges is my responsibility (parent or guardian must sign if participant is under 18). Walker/Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: MEDIA RELEASE: I hereby authorize Area Community Services Employment and Training Council (ACSET), as administrative of West Michigan Works! and Community Action Agency of Kent County (including any of their officers, employees and agents), to release, disseminate, or use in any manner they see fit, my voice, photograph and/or video as a likeness of me for the general purpose of providing education on the services provided by the agencies it administers. Walker/Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: For Office Use Only Total Miles Pledged $ Received $ Balance Due $ Initials
Mission: We fight the causes and circumstances of poverty by investing in low-income individuals and families. Through dedicated staff and community partnerships we provide services, resources, education and advocacy to improve the quality of life for all residents of Kent County. 121 Franklin SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 (616) 336-4000 communityactionkent.org