Host Your Own Run Ranger Run Kick Off Event
Run Ranger Run begins on February 1st. We can feel the excitement and anticipation starting to build. We can’t wait to share the month with you as we challenge ourselves, join in solidarity and enjoy camaraderie while supporting veterans and raising funds for GallantFew.
Traditionally, we hold Run Ranger Run kick off events on the last Saturday of January. This year kick off day is January 27th. We currently have six kick off events scheduled ranging from Connecticut to California. Each kick off event is unique and organized by passionate Run Ranger Run participants.
We project that the idea may have passed your mind about organizing a kick off event for your community, but may be short on a plan to make it happen. So we reached out to one of our volunteers, Yelena Markaryan. We asked Yelena some questions about her kick off event and fundraising strategy. Yelena and her team have truly embraced the spirit of Run Ranger Run. They have given clever thought to how they can best participate in Run Ranger Run and make an impact in a way that is meaningful to them.
We are eternally grateful for Yelena and her team of passionate advocates and we thought their example may spark an idea for you.
What and where is your Run Ranger Run kick off event?
Our kickoff celebration will be on January 27 at the White Harte Pub (22456 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364) at 8:00 p.m.
They have a really nice backroom/patio where we lay out lots of RRR post cards and have a raffle at the end of the night. I use this event as a way of getting my team more excited and motivated about the miles to come in February, as well as rally our friends to support us throughout the month at the other fundraisers we host (more on that below). Many people walk in off the street and see us in our tee shirts, post cards in hand, and want to get involved in the raffle or donate as well.
What is your Run Ranger Run team?
Our team name is Heroes 4 Heroes, my name is Yelena Markaryan.
How many years have you participated in Run Ranger Run?
This will be my third year participating; my team’s third year as well.
What is your location?
Most, if not all, of the team is located in Los Angeles, California.
Can you describe how you work with restaurants?
Many large chain restaurants (think Chilli’s, Sharky’s, Panda Express, BJ’s, CPK, etc.) have fundraising opportunities for sports teams, charities, and the like. Typically they’ll allow you to select a day and/or time, then print flyers with your fundraising/charity information that can be handed out. Flyers can be given to friends, family, strangers, etc. I also disseminate them electronically via Facebook and Instagram. People visit the restaurant on the selected day (typically dine-in or takeout works) and present the flyer when paying their bill. The restaurant will then donate a portion of the proceeds gathered with the flyer to the charitable organization. It’s usually anywhere from 10 to 20%, depending on the restaurant.
What is unique about your small events?
The best part about these events is that we try to make them fun for the whole team. Rather than just picking up lunch or dinner and going home, we congregate at these places with the whole team, after a group walk or run, wearing our tee shirts. People see our shirts and often want to find out more information. We use this as an opportunity to try and raise awareness, and sometimes strangers will ask for the restaurant flyers once we tell them about RRR so that they can participate too. We like to do group walks/runs and hikes wearing our shirts as well; I find that this makes us really noticeable and approachable and people like to ask questions and get involved.
Why do you find your small events helpful?
Not all people are able to donate, of course, and not all people are comfortable asking for donations. Sometimes people who would otherwise want to contribute are turned off instantly when asked to give to a cause. I find the fundraiser approach works really well because we don’t have to ask people directly for donations or dollar amounts. We set up these lunch/dinner fundraisers so that it’s easy to recruit people from around our office or workplaces without putting anyone on the spot. We choose restaurants that are busy, and people we know might already frequent those places. They need only to bring a flyer, order their food, and are able to participate in such an amazing cause. Minimally invasive, but very effective!
What is your advice for others who may want to take the same approach?
There is quite a bit of back and forth with restaurant managers to set up these events. They request the GallantFew charity documentation, and it takes some time to arrange a day that works for the restaurant and works for our team, etc. I try to get the ball rolling on this early on, before February, as much as possible. Sometimes meeting with the manager in-person really helps to establish a good relationship, then I can revisit some of the same places the following year to set up another RRR fundraiser and they’re already familiar with us. Also, many restaurants will be willing to offer $5 or $10 gift cards as well, and I collect those ahead of time to auction off at our kickoff party.
This year, we’ve gotten creative with the items we’re raffling off. For instance, I have a friend who is a professional photographer who is auctioning off a photo session to one winner with a $5 donation to enter the raffle. I find that the more unique the items to be auctioned, the more people want to get involved. Last year, people donated 3-4 times to get more tickets with which to enter the raffle and raise their chances of winning.
Still need to register for Run Ranger Run? This link will take you straight to registration.
This is fantastic! I can’t wait to get things going for next year. Great advice!