Hike for Hope Team Leader Guide

Team Leader Information

As a Team Leader, you are an important member of our Hike for Hope family. On behalf of Lazarus House, our Hike for Hope Committee and the people we have the privilege to serve, thank you for your interest and commitment to our Hike for Hope.

The Hike for Hope is a 5-Mile Pledge Walk that raises funds for the Lazarus House Transitional Housing Program, Bringing the Homeless Home. It is a unique opportunity to continue building upon a foundation that begins with a temporary stay at our shelter. With the ability to move people out of our shelter sooner, we will be able to further serve the homeless population here and throughout the Merrimack Valley. As we continue to offer affordable housing, advocacy and a structured living environment, we will further empower our guests to move beyond poverty and homelessness.

The Team Leader Guide contains important information needed to help you organize and energize your team. If you have questions and cannot find the answers within, or you need assistance, information, additional Hike materials or some added encouragement, please call Lana Schofield at 978-689-8575, Ext. 206 or email at Lana@Lazarushouse.org.

Recruit Your Team

Start now! You'll be able to recruit a larger team if you begin now. As a Team Leader, we ask that you try to recruit at least ten team members and raise a minimum team goal of $1,000.

Once a member has committed to join your team, have them complete their own registration form and send it to Lazarus House with their $15 per-registration fee ($20 day of Hike).

Have each team member set their individual goal and then keep in contact with them, encouraging them all the way. Checks should be made out to: Lazarus House Hike for Hope.

Ask family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, classmates - anyone who you think will want to be on your team.

Call Lana Schofield at 978-269-5206 or email at Lana@Lazarushouse.org for additional posters, registration forms or pledge sheets.

Set Your Team Fundraising Goal. Begin by setting your goal for fundraising, and for the number of walkers you plant to recruit. And remember - just ten pledges of $100 will raise $1,000 for homeless families.

Build A Team Pyramid. Ask each person who joins your team to recruit 3 other team members. If you start with 3, and they recruit 3, and those people recruit 3 more - you'll have 39 team members!

Create Team Spirit. Plan for everyone to wear the same color on the day of the Hike, or create your own team T-shirt. Be visible. Be fun! Have your team members register early for guaranteed T-shirts. Team T-shirts can be ordered with your team name imprinted, order by September 12.

Volunteers Count Too. Part of your team can volunteer on Hike Day. Volunteers count as members of your team and can raise pledges toward a team total. Contact Betsy Leeman at betsy@lazarushouse.org or 978-269-5207

Keep Your Team Informed. Encourage your team (and sponsors) to visit www.HikeforHope.org for the latest walk information.

Pledge Tips

ASK, ASK, ASK! Think BIG When Setting Your Goal! Ask everybody to sponsor you - your family, friends, neighbors, classmates, golf buddies, co-workers, members of your religious community, clubs or associations. Advertise for sponsors on e-mail, voice mail, bulletin boards, home answering machine!

Be Sure To Sponsor Yourself! Get the word out. Take your pledge sheet with you wherever you go. Send e-mail; leave voice mail. Plan recruitment activities. Have fun!

Get Your Company Involved. Ask your upper management or CEO to walk with your team. Challenge your branch offices to create teams. Create department, floor or shift competition.

Matching Gifts. Raise even more money to help Lazarus House bring the homeless home! Many companies match their employee's charitable contributions.

Double or Triple Your Pledges. Ask your employer about matching gifts. Ask your sponsors if their employers' have a matching gift program. Don't forget to include your employer's matching gift registration form with your pledges.

Inspire Your Friends & Colleagues. Have a Lazarus House staff member or volunteer make a presentation to your group.

 T-Shirts
Look and feel proud on Hike Day by outfitting everyone on your team with the official Hike for Hope T-shirt. It is one of the best ways to build team spirit!

For a $2.50 fee per T-shirt, you can have the back of your T-shirt imprinted with your team's name or logo. T-shirts must be ordered no later than September 12. Minimum quantity: 10.

How to Achieve Your Fundraising Goal
Team and Individual

Fundraising should be fun with many opportunities to reach your personal or team goal. An easy way to start may begin with calling or mailing a personal request letter to your friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances and asking for their support. (See sample letter).

• Personal letters or e-mails work. The more personal your letter is, the more effective it will be. People will feel more connected if you are speaking directly to them and sharing a bit of yourself with them. Include why you're walking, what you're walking for, where and when it will take place and your personal goal.
• Include a description of the Hike. What's it like, how many hikers will join you and how much money will be raised? More information can be found in your Hike pledge pamphlet or at our website www.lazarushouse.org.
• Give your contributors a deadline. Collect contributions up front so that you don't have to return to these people after the Hike. Bring your pledges with you the day of the walk. All checks should be made payable to Lazarus House Hike for Hope.
• Do not limit your mailing list. Write down every person that you know. Create a database that include friends, family, old and new neighbors, former associates, classmates, former classmates, members of clubs, fraternities, sororities, committees, organizations and any other person that you can think of. This is a great opportunity for them to feel as if they can make a difference too. If you do not give them the opportunity to give, they definitely will not give.
• Mail your first letter as soon as possible. Don't wait until you complete a list before you start mailing. The sooner you send the letters, the sooner you give them a chance to reply.
• Follow up with a phone call or an "update" letter. Many people get requests for contributions and want to give, but end up putting the request in a pile and forgetting about it. People's lives are very busy. Keep your request on the potential donors' mind.
• Send an individual thank you to your sponsors. (Lazarus House will do their best to send a thank you to every registered walker to the best of their ability, given we have a name and address). Keep a sponsor form with you at all times and be ready to ask for support from those you meet.
• For those of you who do not wish to write, call and ask for their support.

Other Fundraising Ideas:

• Letter to the editor/sponsors/donors*
• Bake Sales, Lemonade Sales or Yard Sales
• Baby sit for friends in exchange for their donation
• Walk your neighbors dog in return for their donation
• Roll your loose change and sponsor yourself
• Car wash
• Go door to door around your neighborhood
• Invite your friends and neighbors to a house party. Offer a 5-10 minute discussion on Lazarus House and the Hike; have pledge sheets available for those who would like to donate.
• Hang a Hike For Hope poster where it can be seen, attach a pledge sheet to it with an envelope for donations or attach additional applications, creating your own team.

* To download sample letters, please click the Hike For Hope heart

Please Note: The letters are in PDF format, so you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view them.

Need Additional Walk Materials?

Call Lana at 978-269-5206 or email lana@Lazarushouse.org.

Post - Walk

Please mail any post-walk pledges and contributions in an envelope that to:

Hike for Hope
Attn: Lana Schofield
Lazarus House
P.O. Box 408
Lawrence, MA 01842

Please print your name, address and Team name (if applicable) on your envelope

THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO BRING THE HOMELESS HOME AND FOR BEING A PART OF OUR HIKE FOR HOPE FAMILY. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. GOD BLESS YOU!