Hope Shines On - Limited Edition Luminaria Bags For The Holidays!

I am super excited about this!  But first...

As this blog has become more and more successful, I have been thinking a lot about ways that we can take our mission to cure cancer a step further by using it as a tool to raise more money for American Cancer Society.  I didn't want to fill the blog with ads, and I know you are all already working hard to meet your own goals, so I didn't want to ask for straight up Relay donations.  My solution?  Ask you all to do something you already do.  Shop on AMAZON.  If you are anything like me, Amazon is your go to source for online shipping.  Here's how it works.  When you want to shop on Amazon, click this link:

Shop Amazon and support our fundraising efforts!

And Amazon will send me a percentage of your purchase via the Amazon Associates program, which I will turn around and donate!  The percentage is anywhere between 4 and 10 percent, which is much higher than the Amazon Smile program.  I am so excited about this opportunity, and really hope you all will make your purchases through these affiliate links, so that we can fund more cures faster!

Now, back to the show :)

I noticed in surveys last year, we were asked if we would be interested in something like this, and it is obvious that ACS listened!  From now through November 7th, 2015 you can purchase (or fund raise by selling!) this palm-sized metal keepsake, embellished with a Relay For Life logo and antique silver finish and strung with a decorative purple ribbon, with a $35 contribution to Relay For Life.

IT'S A FLIPPING RELAY FOR LIFE LUMINARIA ORNAMENT!  I seriously need a TREE full.  A PURPLE tree full. 

And obviously, I would love for you to buy yours from Cancer Man - but I also want to share this with you so you can use it for your own personal fundraising.  I mean, we are all in this together, right?

Here is Cancer Man's Facebook post on these:

I think this is really cool...
Christmas is coming up and we have the perfect gift for you to give someone who has EVERYTHING. Make a 35$ donation to my Relay fundraising here....(click limited edition keepsake) http://tinyurl.com/RelayKeepsake and you will get this really awesome luminaria bag ornament. You can personalize the card so you can give it to a friend in memory or honor of someone. i think it would be a really special way to remember someone at Christmas the gift is beautiful but the gift also helps us find a cure and helps me reach my Relay goal.

And.... let's face it. Im going to talk you out of at least 35$ this year anyway, so you might as well get something super aWESome with your money to!

And here is my post (and guys, you can totally use my words I don't mind at all!)

Christmas is a magical time of year, and today I want to share a special way  you can honor or remember someone with cancer this year, and for years to come.

This is the first time we have done something like this, and I think it is absolutely fantastic.  As someone who looks at Christmas as a time of giving, instead of receiving, I can not think of a better gift.  In fact, if I had nothing but a tree full of these for Christmas, I would probably be the happiest person alive.

What is this little rectangle thing?  It's a luminaria bag.  If you are not familiar with Relay For Life, we hold a very special ceremony at each event, where we light these bags in honor, in support,  or memory, of someone who has had cancer.  Anyone who has attended one of these ceremonies can tell you it is nothing short of life changing.  It is a moment of happiness, grief, and bonding like nothing else I have ever experienced.  To a Relayer, each bag represents a loved one- A LIFE, that should not be forgotten.  A battle that was won.  A child, a spouse, a parent, a friend, or a loved one. 

This holiday season, I ask that you consider giving just one of these as a gift.  They are limited edition, and come with a beautiful box and gift note.  You can ship it directly to the recipient, or to yourself.  Not only will you be giving a gift that keeps on giving, you will also be supporting Cancer Man​ in his mission to create more family Christmas memories for others.

To purchase, simply make a $35 tax deductible donation here: (click limited edition keepsake) http://tinyurl.com/RelayKeepsake

Please help us by sharing with everyone you know!
ANDDDDDD- here are some great photos that I downloaded from Brand Toolkit that you can use with your Facebook posts.  Just right click and save to your computer!

Now, I have this strange ability to write posts on FB and Twitter all day long (Cancer Man does to- must be genetic!) but not everyone knows just what to say.  Guess what?  There's an info sheet for that!  I am copy and pasting for you so you can do the same :)

Relay For Life Keepake – Toolkit Social Assets

Message 1 – Announcement

Recommended timing: September 16 - 25

Facebook

You can shine a light all year long with a limited edition Relay For Life keepsake. Order now through November 7 at relayforlife.org/[EVENT URL].

Twitter

Shine a light all year long with a limited edition @relayforlife keepsake. Order now at relayforlife.org/[EVENT URL].

Instagram

You can shine a light all year long with a limited edition #relayforlife keepsake. Order now at relayforlife.org/keepsake.

Message 2 – Reminder

Recommended timing: October 5 - 16

Facebook

The Relay For Life limited edition keepsake makes a great gift for the holidays! Order now through November 7 at relayforlife.org/[EVENT URL].

Twitter

The @relayforlife limited edition keepsake makes a great gift for the holidays! Order now at relayforlife.org/[EVENT URL].

Instagram

The #relayforlife limited edition keepsake makes a great gift for the holidays! Order now at relayforlife.org/keepsake. #holidayshopping

Message 3 – Last Chance

Recommended timing: October 23 - November 2

Facebook

Now’s the last chance to order a Relay For Life limited edition keepsake for the holidays! It’s a great gift for everyone on your list or as a way for you to always keep the Relay For Life movement close to your heart this season. Order by November 7 at relayforlife.org/[EVENT URL].

Twitter

Last chance to order a @relayforlife limited edition keepsake for the holidays! Order by 11/7 at relayforlife.org/[EVENT URL].

Instagram

Now’s the last chance to order a #relayforlife limited edition keepsake for the holidays. Order by 11/7 at relayforlife.org/keepsake. #holidayshopping

This is an amazing fundraiser for the holidays, and you have all of the tools you need to pull it off right here!  What are you waiting for?  Let's make this a purple Christmas!

As always, with HOPE-

<3 Cassi

Relay For Life Fundraising Club Social Media Badges 2015

Hey guys!  Short and sweet blog today :)  ACS branding released these awesome Social Media Fundraising Club images last week, and I thought those of you that don't have access to the toolkit would like to have a place to get them.  These are PERFECT for posting on Facebook and Twitter (heck, they are square- put them on Instagram to!) when asking for donations.  Make it your profile picture with a link to your fundraising page, or print one out and take a selfie with it!  For those of you who are running Relay Facebook pages, use these to recognize teams, and individuals for are hitting new levels.  Everyone loves a little shout out for a job well done!

What are you doing with Fundraising Club images?  Share in the comments below!

PS- Cancer Man has his eyes on Purple Club this year, think he can make it?  

http://www.main.acsevents.org/goto/cancerman

Relay For Life Wish Bracelets an easy DIY fundraiser! - revisited!

Note: This blog contains Amazon Affiliate links.  Why?  When you make your Amazon purchases through these links, a portion of your purchase comes back to me, and I turn around and donate it to RELAY!!!

This time last year, I posted about a super easy, cheap, and awesome fundraiser.  At the time, I thought I was just sharing a small handy idea, but it went VIRAL!  Since the original post, I have sold over 3,350 bracelets in the form of a DIY kit, so I thought it would be the perfect time to revisit, and repost the instructions!

I have learned since the first batch, that waxed cotton cord works WAY better for staying in place, and is easier to tie knots in- so you will not that change below :)

If you have ever spent time over in the orient, you know about wish bracelets.  The legend says that you tie one on (over in Thailand they are actually red string) and make a wish- when it wears off, your wish comes true!  Now, over the years I had completely forgotten about those cute little bracelets, until I went through some old boxes while organizing and found one!  And, as usual I said...

Oh!  There's a fundraiser in that!

I really do say that out loud in case you are wondering.  True story.

So anyway, I went to work figuring out how to make these little do dads, and it turns out- SUPER easy, and SUPER cheap!  So hey- what kind of Relay friend would I be if I didn't tell you how you can do it to?

Here's what you need (but remember- be creative- if you have something similar in your craft pile or can get it donated- even better!)

- 4 by 6 Cardstock (I chose to order postcards from Overnight Prints - it ended up being better quality than printing them at home)

- A hole punch (I like this one, because it punches small holes and looks really professional!)

- Scissors (UH PURPLE ONES!  Fiskars are my favorite, they last forever, and can handle being sharpened)

- 8mm round beads with a 1mm hole (I use purple cat's eye, but have found many people like multi colored ones)

- 1mm waxed cotton cord (the purple stuff in the photo above)
**note** if you are buying your stuff at a local craft store, hemp works well to!


OK, here we go.

This is so easy you are going to want to kiss me.

                                                     Thread both strings through your bead. 

Tie a simple knot on the right side of the bead (make sure it is centered)

 It will look like this when you pull it tight.

 Then tie another simple knot on the left side of the bead.

 Punch holes to string the bracelet through on your card.

String the bracelet through the holes you just punched.  Tie left over string in a bow in the back.

Now flip it back over and admire your handy work.  Isn't that the easiest thing ever!?!?

Not only are these awesome to sell as an easy fundraiser, but they would make great survivor gifts for your events (I have seen a few titled "A Survivors Wish").  And, if you don't have the time to make them yourself, I have a bulk pack listed on Etsy that you can buy for super cheap!  Happy crafting loves!

                        What little amount I make from the kits gets donated to Relay For Life!

Find the purple kit here!

 Find the multi-color kit here!

Find the pink kit here!

                  

Relay For Life Letter Writing - Worksheets to help you through the process!

It's that time of the year RELAY SEASON!  This is the time of the year my blog and pinterest pages go wild with new views, and I spend a lot of time visiting communities and getting them all set for an amazing year.

You may have noticed that you are not getting the response you have gotten in precious years by asking for donations on Facebook.  If you haven't read it yet- this blog post explains why that is happening.   It is more important than EVER that you are actually writing and sending out fundraising letters.

Most of you have awesome staff that bring you pre written letters that you can send out- BUT GUYS.  What would entice you more to donate- a personal letter, or one that is pre done? 

I know that it is hard to figure out where to start, and what to include in a letter, so I have made up some easy to use work sheets to help you through the process.  Feel free to print these and take them to your team meetings or event meeting to share. 

Step one- fill out this worksheet!

































Step two- use this letter format to transform your answers into a letter! 

Here is an example of what your finished product could look like!

That was easy, right?

While I have you here, let me fill you in on this awesome little tip.  For some reason, when I include a self addressed envelope, I get more donations back!  So take the extra time to do that to- it just takes a few minutes!

Need more letter ideas?  Check out some of ours from previous years here!

With HOPE,
Cassi

Affordable T-Shirt Quilts from Project Repat = LOVE

RELAY SHIRTS.  I have a million.  You have a million.  What in the world do you do with them all?

Over Christmas I was looking for a great gift for my sister in law and my niece that would help them remember my mother-in-law who passed away in April.  I had boxes and boxes and boxes of her clothing, so the most meaningful choice was, of course, a t-shirt quilt.  But, I quickly ran into a problem- having t-shirt quilts made is EXTREMELY expensive.  Not there was a price on my love for my SIL and niece, but I just couldn't swing $700 per quilt.

So- I turn to my BFF Google to try to find a more affordable option, and up pops Project Repat.  I was... skeptical.  A T-shirt quilt for just over $100?  HOW are they pulling this off with good quality?  I pulled the trigger to find out.  I was, VERY impressed.  Turns out they are not quilting your t-shirts, which is a much more labor-intensive process.  They patch work all of your shirts together, and then use a recycled polar fleece for the back.  It is warm, it is cozy, and it is amazing. Even better?  They are all made right here in the US.

So, after seeing how amazing the memorial quilts came out, I got to thinking- how can I use this for Relay?  It just so happened that I had several boxes of extra hoodies from our Pink Out event in October.  To make a long story short, I thought I was being smart by ordering extra hoodies to sell at the game.  BUT, Oklahoma weather decided to give us a warm 85 degree fall night, so naturally they didn't sell.

Then it hit me- BOOM.  Use Project Repat to turn those bad boys into a blanket to auction off Relay night!  I placed my order, prepped the hoodies and t's, and shipped them off to Project Repat.  3 weeks later, the most amazing thing arrived at my door step!

I am so excited about it!  And you bet your butt I will be bidding on it Relay night, because I am kind of in love. 

So, Project Repat being the awesome company they are, has offered to give me $10 for Relay For Life for each referral I send them.  DOUBLE WIN, with this link you also get 10% off!  So get all of those participant and Relay fundraising shirts out from the back of your closet and make something amazing you will use (or better, will make you money for Relay!)

With HOPE,
Cassi