Westside LA Team In Training - Winter 2009 Marathon & Half Marathon Team

Archive for the ‘fundraising’ Category

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Name: Aubrey Walton
Team: Westside Marathon (Greater LA)
Number of TNT Seasons: 2
Last TNT Event: 2009 San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
I joined TNT to accomplish one of my life goals of completing a marathon. I also joined becuase I had just moved to Los Angeles from Ohio in April 2008, so I did not know more than five people in this city. I knew I had to get out and do something to make some new friends, so I put the two together and joined TNT! When I moved to LA, I also met some cancer patients at UCLA, and their drive for life made me want to join TNT in their honor.

What was your best fundraiser?
The best fundraiser I did was to nominate one of my guy friends for the Bachelor auction. He ended up selling for $350 and all that money came directly to my fund. It was great and so much fun! I also sent a ton of letters out to everyone I knew, while also updating my personal website every Sunday after our long runs to let people know what I did that week.

Most memorable TNT moment?
There are so many fun moments with TNT that it’s hard to choose just one. My most memorable would have to be running the actual marathon and being with all your new best friends doing something so amazing, together. The entire weekend was a blast, and after the race, celebrating with all your amazing new friends, in ONE hotel room, was definitely a memorable night. The 80’s Party was another fun event. Hilarious.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
I really wouldn’t have done anything differently as I am really pleased with how my first season went. If I had to choose,one thing I would have done differently was to actually watch what I eat and change my diet. Your body changes so much and your appetite grows out of control, I only seemed to crave food items that weren’t the “healthiest” of options. Boy, they were good though!

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
HAVE FUN!!! You will meet people that will become your best friends. You spend so much time with your teammates, you get to know them very well. Go to as many midweek runs, strength & conditioning practices, hill training, track training, etc. becuase it will help you tremendously come race day. Be creative with your fundraising and it the money will come easily. Be dedicated to what you are doing! It’s about to change your life forever!

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This will be an ongoing series, where we will feature an alumni so you, our readers, can learn some new things from people who have done it before. If you’re a Team in Training Alumni, please fill out this form (or please spread the word).

This is a re-post from last season’s blog because I think this was a successful idea from some participants from the Summer season. Jeff Thieme from this season, along with others I know from other TNT chapters were some of the few who tried. It’s also a perfect time to tell you since many of you are looking to jump start your fundraising before recommitment.

I’m sure you’ve read from different fundraising blogs and top lists about this idea of selling a piece of yourself. A bit weird? Sure, but it’s a pretty good fundraiser if you’re up to the task. Last year, Kim Willingham of the Georgia chapter of Team In Training let people write their names on certain body parts on raceday for a minimum $100 donation.

What parts?

• Right Arm
• Left Arm
• Right leg
• Left leg
• Right Breast
• Left Breast
• Right cheek
• Left cheek
• Belly
• Back

See how she did it here

Did you know that there’s a search tool to find companies that offer matching gifts? Some of your friends and family may not realize that the company they work for does such a thing. Send them the following website

Matching Gifts

That website is amazing. Search a company name, you’ll get some search results, and if the company offers a match, it will tell you the proper procedures (most of the time) for that company.

One helpful tip is to research some of your contacts before you send them that e-mail (at this stage it should be your REMINDER e-mail, right?). If you have a LinkedIn account, you can easily find your contacts’ employers. If you plan to message some of your work contacts, go through your stack of business cards.

Your approach will be key though, because you don’t want them to think you are using them for their match, or don’t make them feel they are forced to donate now because their donation is potentially 2x greater. Take a friendly approach, reminding them that you’re fundraising for the Luekemia & Lymphoma Society and you noticed that their employer would give a matching donation. Add some of your personal touch to it. Ask them to fill out their employer’s matching gift form and send the payment to you. Also, you should only approach the people you personally know on LinkedIn. It will be difficult otherwise.

If you receive a donation from someone who works for a company that matches, please read the following:
Matching Gifts Procedure Page