CREATING YOUR OWN LETTER WRITING & VIDEO LETTER CAMPAIGNS

The Letter Writing Campaign has proven to be one of the most effective (and easiest) ways to raise money for the Walk.  By simply drafting a “Dear Family and Friends” letter or email explaining why you and your family are participating in the JDRF Walk, you can reach your largest audience without even leaving the comfort of your home!  For a step-by-step guide on how you can start your own successful letter writing campaign, click here.

Walk teams across the country are using the Video Letter Campaign to double and even triple their fundraising! It is an easy way to quickly reach a large audience with just the click of a link. You can now upload your videos into the new participant center too!

Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to create your video letter. Get started on your letter or video today!

Do you have a great letter or video you'd like to share? We'd love to see it! Anyone who e-mails a copy of their letter or video link to Erin Miller at emiller@jdrf.org by July 31st will be entered in a drawing to win a $20 Applebee's gift card.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Check out these exciting Walk team events coming up to benefit JDRF!


On Saturday, July 23rd, The Elusive Group will present Band Together 2011 at CD & Me in Frankfort. The event will include an exciting line up of performers, including American Idol's Chris Medina, and Makeshift Prodigy.  Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door and can be purchased now at http://www.bandtogether2011./com. Proceeds from this event will benefit JDRF.  For more information please visit bandtogether2011.com or contact Megan McGushin at 708.567.3631 or bandtogether@gmail.com.

Fundraising year round is just what corporate team, Pella Windows – Replacement Division, does!  They have cleaned out their attic and are creating lots of excitement about JDRF!  They will host an internal silent auction, auctioning off 50 items ranging from tables to filing cabinets to computers that employees can bid on and their full donation comes directly to JDRF.  Happy bidding!


Emily’s Hope is hosting their 1st Annual Type 1 Diabetes Family Picnic and would love for you to join them!  It will be held on Saturday, August 13th at North Aurora Island Park along the Fox River from 12 p.m.-6 p.m.  Please click here for more details and to register for their free family picnic.  Please note that you must register at http://www.emilyshope.org/ by August 6th.


Heather Barnhart's brother and his hockey team, Team Illinois 97, are supporting their family team, Hoof it for Heather, by hitting the ice with a skate-a-thon fundraiser on August 21st!  The team will collect donations for the amount of laps they do around the ice rink.  HockeyGiant.com is a sponsor for this event and offering a special discount to those who buy something through their website.  Use code JDRF15 at checkout for this great discount.  This is a great way to stay cool in the summer heat while supporting their favorite cause!


Jimel’s Team is throwing their Annual Evening of Hope on August 27th.  100% of the proceeds go towards their walk team and JDRF!  Click here to view the official flyer.  They raised $2,000 from the event in 2010.  For ticket information, please call 773.320.3712 or e-mail jimelsteam@gmail.com.  Thank you to Charise Parson-Gardner and her team!


Maywood Park Night at the Races to benefit JDRF will be held on Friday, September 9th.  For more information, please call Lisa Gurick at 708.343.4800, ext.150.


Kim Sutherland, independent design consultant with Willow House, will donate 5% of ALL sales generated from her website, http://decor8diva.willowhouse.com/, to JDRF in support of her son who was diagnosed in 2009 with type 1 diabetes.  For more information on hosting a party, fundraising or decorating ideas, please contact Kim 630.945.0095.


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Special thanks to the below teams for recently hosting an event or kicking-off their 2011 JDRF fundraising efforts:


On June 28th, Kristin Kotara of Berkot's Super Foods, hosted a wonderful Spa Event at the new Marc Alan Day Spa in Mokena, IL.  Event attendees and enjoyed appetizers while being pampered to the fullest by the owner Geri Melyon and her expert staff. The  attendees enjoyed manicures, pedicures, hair treatments facials, massages and more! The evening raised $1,400 with proceeds and door prizes generously donated by Marc Alan Day Spa! Thank you to all involved!


Lisle corporate team, Exelon, is securing their internal planning team by offering an incentive.  Employees that sign up to be on their Walk planning committee will be able to park in the official “JDRF” parking spot they have for 2 weeks.  This is a great incentive since parking is hard to come by!


Sloan Valve is walking again this year and their Walking Club is getting involved in helping raise donations for their team.  Sloan Valve will donate $1 to JDRF for every mile walked by each person in the club during their breaks or lunch during the week.  Sloan Valve has also agreed to match what they raise through this program up to $5,000!  The fundraiser started in late June and will go until Walk day on October 2nd where they will walk their final mileage together.  What a fun and healthy way to raise donations for a cure!

Congrats to Team WR4X for raising nearly $1,400 in their Spring fundraiser!  They’re off to a great start and already planning another fundraiser for September.  Keep up the great work!

Do you have an event coming up to benefit your Walk team?  Please let us know about it!  Send your event details to your local Walk Manager.

Omaha Steaks July Sneaker Sales Campaign

Omaha Steaks will once again support JDRF through their Sneaker Sales Campaign which is currently running, at all 78 locations throughout the country, through July 31st.  Over the past 10 years, Omaha Steaks has raised more than $600,000 for JDRF and we look forward to another successful campaign in 2011.  For the Omaha Steaks location nearest you, please click here.  Stop in to buy a sneaker and thank Omaha Steaks for their continued support of JDRF!

Back-to-Bed August Sneaker Sales Campaign

Beginning August 1st, Back-to-Bed will begin their JDRF sneaker sales campaign.  Their campaign will run for 6-weeks, so be sure to stop in to your local Back-to-Bed to buy a sneaker and say thank you!  To find a Back-to-Bed near you, please click here.

Macy's Shop For A Cause Event - August 27th

Since 2006, Macy’s Shop For A Cause Event has partnered with non-profit organizations nationwide to raise more than $38 million for their ongoing charitable efforts. This is your chance to be part of this monumental event on Saturday, August 27, 2011.

Shop For A Cause gives you the opportunity to give back to your community and support JDRF. Purchase a $5 Shopping Pass for exclusive savings (25% off) in every Macy’s store and online at http://www.macys.com/ on Saturday, August 27th, and JDRF keeps 100% of the proceeds from Shopping Pass sales. Plus, you can enter to win a $500 Macy’s Gift Card.

For more information, or to purchase your Macy's saving pass, please contact Mary Anne Bryan at 312.477.7954 or mbryan@jdrf.org. 

Click here to view the official flyer.

Kids Spotlight

Special thanks to Paige Knoll of Paige's Parade family team for representing JDRF as a youth ambassador during a recent Walgreens meeting.  Paige shared her experience living with diabetes and helped motivate everyone in attendance to get more involved!  Thank you, Paige!

Do you want to be like Paige?  The JDRF Illinois Walk team is always looking for youth ambassadors to attend meetings and share their stories of life with diabetes.  A Youth Ambassador truly makes a difference every time they speak on behalf of JDRF!  To sign-up as an official JDRF Youth Ambassador, please contact your local Walk Manager.  

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Calling All Youth Groups!

In 2010, twelve Boy & Girl Scout Troops participated in the Ron Santo Walk.  Do you know any youth groups that would be interested in walking with us?  If so, please let us know.  One of our Walk Managers would be happy to meet with them to discuss how they can get involved.

Evening of Hope to benefit JDRF - August 27th

Jimel’s Team will host their Annual Evening of Hope on August 27th.  100% of the proceeds go towards their walk team and JDRF!  They raised $2,000 from this event in 2010.  Please view the official flyer below for more information.  For ticket information, please call 773.320.3712 or e-mail jimelsteam@gmail.com.  Thank you to Charise Parson-Gardner and her team!

Pizza Hut & JDRF

Order from any Chicagoland Pizza Hut (over 100 locations) on Monday, June 20th from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Pizza Hut will donate 15% of your guest check amount to help find a cure. Help spread the word, make copies of this voucher and share with your friends and family! Please visit www.pizzahut.com to find a location near you.


Special thanks to Ira Batt for organizing this great fundraiser to benefit JDRF.  Thank you, Ira and thank you, Pizza Hut.

"Ron Santo A Perfect 10" Now on Sale

For another great way to support JDRF and remember Ron, please read a special message from his son, Jeff Santo.

During the off season this past year my father began collaborating, with author Rich Wolfe, to write a book to be released in 2011. This was not going to be your typical sports book. It was going to be a unique and entertaining look into my father's so called "way of life"... a life that was filled with all the emotions of a dedicated Cubs fan. With the consent of our family, this book has been given a new life and a new perspective since my father's passing.


His dear friend and broadcasting partner, Pat Hughes, has graciously stepped in to continue what my dad began with Rich Wolfe months ago. With Pat's commitment and understanding to my father's legacy, he and Rich have gathered memories of his life through intimate conversations from our family, friends, luminaries, co-workers, strangers, and fans. I believe this book will make you laugh, cry, and most of all, smile.


--Jeff Santo

"Ron Santo A Perfect 10" is now available for sale to JDRF supporters, in advance of it's official release in a few weeks, at www.santofilms.com.

A portion of the proceeds of each book sold will be donated to JDRF.

Order your copy today!

And the Winners Are...

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Best of Illinois ticket giveaway. The memories and thoughts shared about Ron Santo were so inspiring. We know how greatly he is missed!

The winners of the drawing are:

1. Michael McMannis (@gordonfan24ever)

2. Bill Schultz (@iambillschultz)

3. "Sue" who commented on the blog (Note: Your information was not accessible, please contact the Chapter by noon Thursday to share your information or we'll pull another name.)

If your name was not chosen, please consider purchasing tickets to join us for this very special evening or make a donation in tribute to Ron Santo.

Thank you!

Best of Illinois Ticket Giveaway

Today is the day we give away three pairs of "Friendly Confines" tickets to our Best of Illinois event at Wrigley Field on May 19th! Details about these tickets can be found here.

People are eligible for up to three entries and will receive one entry for each of the following:

1. Follow @JDRFIllinois on Twitter 

2. Tweet about what you love about Ron Santo (Use hashtag #jdrfboi)

3. Comment on this post about why you love Ron Santo. (Click on the comment link below - link is to the left of the picture of mail)

The contest will be open TODAY FROM 9 AM UNTIL 10 PM and three winners will be chosen at random. We'll also have a team of volunteers and staff who will choose the Top 10 Messages that we'll put on www.jdrfillinois.org. 

Please help us spread the word about this exciting event by liking the JDRF Illinois Facebook page, posting on your Facebook wall, retweeting the information, and passing onto your own social network.

Today's Twitter stream and Facebook posts will all focus on remembering Ron, building excitement for Best of Illinois, and furthering the message and reach of JDRF!

Join us in paying tribute to Ron and be sure everyone you know is aware of the important work of JDRF!

UPDATE:  THE CONTEST HAS NOW CLOSED.  THANK YOU!

Best of Illinois Ticket Give Away on Tuesday: Don't Miss Your Chance to Win!

We'll be hosting a giveaway for Best of Illinois tickets on Tuesday, May 10th. We plan to give away three sets of "Friendly Confines" tickets and wanted to be sure you had all the information to participate! Details about these tickets can be found here.

People are eligible for up to three entries and will recieve one entry for each of the following:

1. Follow @JDRFIllinois on Twitter

2. Tweet about what you love about Ron Santo

3. Comment on the Walk Blog

The contest will be open on Tuesday from 9 am until 10 pm and three winners will be chosen at random. We'll also have a team of volunteers and staff who will choose the Top 10 Messages that we'll put on www.jdrfillinois.org.

Please help us spread the word about this exciting event by liking the JDRF Illinois facebook page, posting on your Facebook wall, retweeting the information, and passing onto your own social network. Tuesday's tweets and posts will all focus on remembering Ron, building excitement for Best of Illinois, and furthering the message and reach of JDRF!

We hope you will take part in this contest and join the online excitement on Tuesday!

Are You Registered for the 2011 Walk?

Thank you for your support of the JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes!  As we announced last month, JDRF has launched an upgraded registration and fundraising website.  The new system offers participants additional features such as the ability to set up a team web page and link your personal fundraising page to social networking sites.  It will also enable walkers to track Walk donations and download donor reports.  Because the system is new, it contains no information from previous years; therefore, all participants will have to register as if they have never registered for another JDRF event before. 

Register your team today!

As a Team Captain, you must first create your 2011 team. The first person to register with the team will automatically be registered as the Team Captain, so make sure that person is you! Other walkers are unable to join until the team is registered. If you find that your team already exists and someone else has accidentally been registered as Team Captain, please register as a walker and then contact your local Walk Manager to become the Team Captain.
We have created a document which will help guide you through the registration process.  If you have any questions, please e-mail or call your Walk Manager so we can help walk you through the process or answer any questions.

We hope that the fun you had with us and the inspiration you felt while making a difference in the lives of people with type 1 diabetes will inspire you to join us again on Sunday, October 2nd!

Can't be there on Walk Day?  JDRF's new registration page now offers registration for "Virtual Walkers" who are not able to attend the Walk, but still want to raise money for a cure!  Virtual Walkers qualify for incentive prizes, team awards, etc.

Register today!

Thank you again for all you do to support JDRF! 

For another exciting way to support JDRF and pay tribute to Ron, please click here to learn more about our 2011 Best of Illinois "Bringing Home A Cure" event on Thursday, May 19th at Wrigley Field!

RON SANTO WALK SPOTLIGHT: SEKO Worldwide, LLC

SEKO Worldwide, LLC, an innovative, flexible provider of first-class transportation services, will once again be partnering with JDRF as a 2011 Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes corporate sponsor. 

SEKO has been supporting the Walk since 2007, and since that time, they have raised over $40,000 through their fundraising efforts!  In addition to their sponsorship, the SEKO Walk team holds JDRF "FUNdraisers" that keep the momentum going all year round!  And they really do put the FUN into fundraising with their fun events, exciting raffles, auctions and various sports-themed pools! 
 

Members of the SEKO team at their 2011 Kick-Off

They officially began their 2011 efforts on April 7th when they held their internal kick-off, which they themed "Opening Day" to coincide with the start of baseball season.  They sold hot dogs, kicked off their season-long baseball pool, and held a raffle for various baseball themed items, including Cubs tickets.  They are also theming their 2011 Walk fundraising efforts to be "In Honor of Ron Santo".  

We asked Holly La Vine, Director, Human Resources, why they chose to support JDRF and this is what she shared:  "SEKO chose to support the JDRF in 2007 primarily because we wanted to give back to the community.  After hearing Erin Miller's JDRF presentation, we appreciated that the fundraising focus of the Illinois Chapter is on the annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes and that there isn’t any pressure imposed to raise a minimum dollar amount.  Through our FUNdraisers, we have found that our efforts continually promote two of our five Core Values – Teamwork and Fun as well as it is heartwarming to be a part of the energy on Walk Day.  Our partnership has remained strong through a shared enthusiasm in all endeavors as well as a commitment to meet a goal!"

The SEKO team is on their way to another very successful FUNdraising year!  We look forward to partnering with them again and are so grateful for their continued support of JDRF! Thank you to the entire SEKO Worldwide, LLC team!

To learn more about SEKO Worldwide, LLC, please visit their website at www.sekologistics.com.

Volunteer Spotlight: The Guzan Family

Don, Gale, Jake and CJ Guzan have been volunteering for the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes since 1999.  Many Lakefront Walkers will recognize them from their numerous years managing the T-shirt Tent.  The Guzan family does not have a direct family connection to type 1 diabetes.  Their dedication mainly comes from their desire to serve their community as well as support friends who have diabetes.


In 1999, Gale and Jake walked and raised donations for the Aon Corporation team while Don and CJ, six years old at the time, volunteered for the first time and were placed at the T-shirt tent.  Since that time, Don and his family have made the t-shirt tent their own:  bringing their own signs, using their perfected t-shirt sizing techniques, and making t-shirt distribution fun and efficient.


Don said the best part of managing the t-shirt tent is “Getting people to laugh.  Making new friends.”  It is not often that organizations see volunteers as dedicated as the Guzan family.  When asked why they continue to volunteer year after year Don responded, “Because it’s the right thing to do.  We are very proud of the fact that our two boys volunteer all the time because of the JDRF Walk.”  As for the 2011 Walk?  “We will be back.”


Thank you to the Guzan family for their commitment, dedication, and hard work year after year.  The Lakefront T-shirt Tent would not be the same without you.

JDRF is grateful for all of our dedicated volunteers.  For more information on how you can volunteer with JDRF, please click here.

Party City Sneaker Sales Campaign

Party City, America's largest specialty party goods chain, has teamed up with JDRF for a sneaker sales campaign that goes until May 14, 2011. 

The campaign kicked-off on April 3rd and since that time almost $30,000 has been raised in their Illinois locations alone! 

JDRF sneakers are selling fast at Party City!

There is still a few weeks to go, so please help us spread the word about this campaign and purchase a sneaker on your next trip to Party City. To find a location near you, please click here. Thank you, Party City!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - APRIL & MAY

Check out these exciting events coming up to benefit JDRF!

Egg Shell Shuffle - Saturday, April 23, 2011

Friends of Samantha's Steppers Walk team will be hosting a Half Marathon, 5k Run/Walk, and an egg hunt at Busse Woods Forest Preserve.
6:45-8:00am: Race Day Registration ($55 1/2 marathon, $35 5k, $5 egg hunt) and packet pick-up.
8:30am: 1/2 marathon start
8:45am: 5k run/walk start
11:30/11:45am:  Awards (approximate time)
12:00 EGG HUNT BEGINS!

**reduced registration rates if you register before April 23rd**

To register today and learn more about the Egg Shell Shuffle please visit: www.eggshellshuffle.com.

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Freedom from Insulin 2011! - Friday, May 6th
Join the Kouba Family Team at Real Time Sports Bar in St. Charles, IL on May 6th.  Enjoy live music, 50/50 raffle and much more from 6 p.m. - 1 a.m.!

For more information, please contact Gary at: TurbomanG@aol.com.

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Team Nick J, led by 13-year old Summer Evans, is up and running for the 2011 Walk!  Summer created Team Nick J at the Southwest Walk in honor of Nick Jonas. In 2008, at the age of 8, she raised $100.  She grew her total to over $1,200 in 2010 and her goal for 2011 is $5,000!  Summer runs a variety of creative fundraisers from selling JDRF bears, to conducting tag days at the local Jewel or Walmart,(she already raised $130 in one day so far this year), to offering discounted Great America Tickets with a portion of the proceeds going to JDRF. Summer always comes up with unique ways to fundraise.

You can support team Nick J., by purchasing great America Tickets which will be good for May7th and May14th. The price of the ticket is $25.00 and $6.00 will go to JDRF.  To order tickets, please e-mail Summer at jdrfdonations@comcast.net or call 815-603-1169.

Summer will also be hosting a “Wendy’s Night Out” on May 24th from 5pm to 8pm at the Wendy’s located at 2900 Plainfield Road in Joliet.  A portion of all of the evenings proceeds will go to JDRF! Please stop by and visit Summer and support JDRF!   


To keep up with all the Team Nick J fundraisers, please visit: http://teamnickj.yolasite.com/.

Good luck Team Nick J and thank you for all your fundraising efforts!

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Special thanks to the below teams for recently hosting an event or kicking-off their 2011 JDRF fundraising efforts:

 

In March, corporate team Pella Windows and Doors Replacement Division, held a March Madness bracket challenge.  Participating employees donated $5 to JDRF to submit a bracket to enter the challenge.  The winner won a gift card and all donations collected went to JDRF.  To make things easy, they used an online pool administrator to do the leg work of calculating brackets and winners.  What a fun way to raise funds!

* * *

Hyatt Hotels Corporation just had their 2011 Walk planning meeting and set their team goal for an ambitious but attainable $50,000!  Last year Hyatt raised over $47,000 which surpassed their $40,000 team goal.  They hope to get more people involved this year by having at least one team captain per department.  Way to go Hyatt!

Do you have an event coming up to benefit your Walk team?  Please let us know about it! Send your event details to your local Walk Manager.

JDRF Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes

Spring is the perfect time to organize a Kids Walk!  For more information on the JDRF Kids Walk program, please visit jdrfkidswalk.donordrive.com.  To set-up your own Kids Walk, please contact your local Walk Manager.


Read on to see what other Schools are doing...


Getting students excited about raising money for JDRF is just what Rockdale School did on March 25^th!  They held a week-long diabetes awareness week for all their students’ K-8^th grade.  Rounding out the week on Friday with a diabetes guest speaker and a school talent show helped the students raise over $600 to support JDRF.  Way to show your support, Rockdale School students!


Kingston Elementary School in Kingston, IL hosted a Kid’s Walk on April 12th and raised $3,000!  Thank you for your support, Kingston Elementary! Way to go!

Chatsworth Elementary Students, in Chatsworth, IL, a new school walk team, will be spending their spring break collecting proceeds for their JDRF Kids Walk, which they will conduct when they return from break.  You can support Chatsworth and their efforts to fundraise by making a donation to their school fundraising page.  Best wishes to Chatsworth Elementary and thank you for participating in the JDRF Kids Walk program!

St. Philip the Apostle School in Addison, IL will be holding a Kids Walk on May 26th. Good Luck!

Thank you to all of these Schools!  Follow their lead and set-up your own Kids Walk today!  Contact your local Walk Manager to learn more.

2011 Walk Fundraising Ideas

Start your Walk fundraising early this year! Take a look at our Summer FUNdraising flyer (below) for some great ways to keep the kids entertained this summer, while raising money for your Walk team. Have questions? Please contact your Walk Manager.



Click to enlarge and download.



JDRF Illinois Advocacy Needs Your Voice in the 17th Congressional District of Illinois!

JDRF sponsors a New Member Outreach Initiative (NMOI) for newly elected members of Congress intended to introduce new members to JDRF and its mission.

A meeting has been scheduled with Representative Schilling (17th Congressional District) on Thursday, April 21, 2011. The meeting will take place at Rep. Schilling's Moline office (3000 41st St., Suite 2) at 3:30 pm.

This is a great opportunity for Rep. Schilling to hear from his constituents! Please email Brian Annulis at bdannulis@sbcglobal.net if you are able to attend the April 21st meeting (please include the names of attendees).

If you are not already an advocate, please be sure to sign up today!