Stride for Health 2011 - Questions (FAQ)

Stride For Health Questions (FAQ)

Why are you taking part in the Stride for Health Walk?

It is so important to have a state-of-the-art cardiac and endovascular facility in our community, because time is muscle. Every minute wasted during a heart attack damages your heart. Also, the sooner you are treated during a stroke the better the outcome. Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States and stroke is the third, but the number one cause of disability. By taking part in Stride we are supporting the Cardiac & Endovascular Center and our efforts will contribute to someday saving a life.

Become part of a team, can I ask my family and friends to join, too?

Absolutely! The more the merrier. Teams can be as small as two people and as large as the team wants. It’s a great way to meet new people and develop a new sense of camaraderie with co-workers, family and friends because you are all walking for a common cause. For friends and family who can’t participate on October 2nd, encourage them to be virtual walkers. They can raise money as part of your team and help cardiac and endovascular programs and services.

What is required of me if I decide to become a team captain?

Each team member is responsible for his/her own entry fee and pledges, so team captains are not responsible for any money from team members. A team captain just needs to sign up team members. Teams can be created online after you have registered to walk. It is not necessary to compete, but it does add to the fun! Encourage team members to raise pledges and make sure they know what time the walk starts and decide on a place to meet prior to the walk. Some teams like to create a team name and some have special T-shirts made or like to wear special colors or costumes. This is not necessary.

How do we develop competing teams?

Your team may decide that they want to compete against another hospital department, company or organization. If you wish to challenge another team, contact the Development Office of Hallmark Health at 979-6116 and we can put you in touch or contact a team for you.

What is required of me as a team member?

Each team member pays the entry fee ($10, non-refundable) and collects pledges from friends, family and coworkers. We strongly urge every team member to bring in at least $100 in pledges. That will bring right into FirstGiving, where you can keep track of your pledges and send messages to your friends and families.  Also on the website is helpful tips on how to raise pledges and a letter that can be customized when making a request by mail. Team members are also encouraged to get their friends, family and coworkers involved either by walking, volunteering or being on the walk route and cheering you on. All walkers, volunteers and spectators can take part in the post-walk refreshments and activities.

What happens if it rains or for some reason I collect pledges, but can’t make the walk?

Your pledge has legs of its own. Even if you don't make it to the end of the course, your pledge will reach its destination! Please let anyone who pledges understand that their pledge is a donation and no matter what happens, that pledge/donation will be turned in and used to support the cause. If for some reason you collect your pledges and can’t make it to the walk, or if there is inclement weather you are still asked to turn in your pledge money. It can either be mailed with your pledge sheet to: Fund Development, Hallmark Health, 585 Lebanon Street, Melrose, MA 02176, Attn: Stride for Health or it can be dropped off at the Fund Development office at 24 Porter Street, Melrose, Monday thru Friday during business hours. We cannot stress enough the importance of raising and turning in your pledge money!

I know I can’t make it on October 2nd, what other way can I participate?

There are a few ways to participate. Pledge generously to a friend or coworker who is taking part in the walk. If you are not sure who is participating, you can send your pledge to: Fund Development, Hallmark Health, 585 Lebanon Street, Melrose, MA 02176, Attn: Stride for Health or it can be dropped off at the Fund Development office at 24 Porter Street, Melrose, Monday thru Friday during business hours. Another way to participate is to take part in the Virtual Walk. All it requires of you is to raise at least $100 in pledges (no entry fee required) and you will receive a Stride T-shirt and be helping raise needed funds for the cardiac and endovascular services!

Being a Team Captain

Thank you for agreeing to be a Stride for Health Team Captain. Your leadership will assist in making this important event a success! Listed are some helpful tips for being a team captain.

• Put your team together early. You can create teams after you have registered to walk.

• A team can be as large as you want or as small as two people, but the more people on your team, the more fun you’ll have and the more money you’ll raise for patient care!

• Ask each of your team members to recruit one or more people for the team.

• Encourage virtual walkers to be part of your team. Virtual walkers raise pledges that increase the amount your team raises.

• Encourage your team members to bring in pledges. Drop them an occasional email asking how they are doing. Find out if they’ve followed up with prospects. Cheer them on and give them lots of support.

• Create a team challenge. Find another group or department to compete against. Make sure your team members know that the more pledges raised, the better the chances are that your team will win the challenge – and mostly, the more pledges raised, the greater the support for the cardiac & endovascular services.

• Feel free to name your team. Dress up in team costumes. Have a team mascot.

• Bring a camera to the walk so you and your team can have a group picture to remember the day by and you can send the picture to supporters, too.

• Remember to thank your team after the event and let them know how much they raised collectively to help provide cardiac and endovascular services close to home.