So you’re entering NAMI’s DuPage’s Run/Walk for the Mind… you’re submitting your $25 entry fee… you’ll be there that day to show your commitment to NAMI and to support our consumers and their families. That’s all really GOOD! And your $25 contribution not only shows your commitment, it also helps NAMI to cover the costs of shirts, bags, tents, timers, insurance, snacks and other expenses.

You want to do something really GREAT? Super-charge your Run/Walk by getting pledges! All of a sudden your $25 entry fee becomes $100… or $250… or even $500! Two years ago, two young women from Glen Ellyn brought in combined Run/Walk pledges of almost $10,000!

But getting pledges is hard, right? You don’t know anyone who wants to pledge, yes? It’s an imposition, OK? People may resent it, right? WRONG!!! Getting pledges is easy. It’s not an imposition. People appreciate your giving them the opportunity to support a great cause.

Here are two easy ways to get pledges:

1) The traditional way. Take your NAMI DuPage “Run for the Mind” enrollment form and walk around your neighborhood, knocking on doors, asking for pledges one at a time. Bring the form to social gatherings like end-of-summer barbecues with family and friends. Pass it around to your associates at work. It works just fine! People ask about NAMI, want to learn more, and admire you for your involvement. And you’ll get a bunch of pledges!

2) The Internet way. Go to FirstGiving at the “Run” registration page on NAMI’s web site and set up your pledge page. Then go to your e-mail address book on Gmail, Comcast, AOL or whichever email provider you use, and… start clicking on names to which you’ll send a group e-mail. Go large! Include family, old friends, new friends, neighbors, church acquaintances, current and former work associates… people from all your many walks of life. Set a target, maybe 50, maybe 100. (My email limits me to 50 addresses at a time… so I just did two groups of about 50.) Have fun with it… send to people you think are outliers, not just likely candidates. You’ll be a little surprised at some people who don’t respond… and AMAZED at the people that do!

(These are not mutually exclusive options, of course. Many of you will use both approaches, and achieve true Run/Walk greatness!)

And what does your e-mail say? Maybe something like this:

Dear Friend,

I’m taking part in the NAMI DuPage Run for the Mind to raise money for NAMI of DuPage County, Illinois on September 24th. I have been fortunate to know many NAMI DuPage members, consumers and their families, staff and volunteers, and I have been amazed by their courage and tireless dedication to eradicating the stigma of mental illness and helping families in crisis. I hope that you will consider being a sponsor - at the $25 level if at all possible - and joining me to help NAMI DuPage continue much needed services in our community.

You can make a donation by visiting my Firstgiving page: (Insert link to your FirstGiving Page). You can also learn little more about NAMI DuPage through this page.

You can donate online with a credit card. All donations are secure and sent directly to NAMI of DuPage County, Illinois by Firstgiving, who will email you a printable record of your tax-deductible donation.

Please send my page on to anyone who might like to donate!

Much thanks! (Your Name)

You can do this! Imagine you, on Run/Walk day on September 24th, stepping out smartly, knowing you represent ten or 20 or more pledge-donors, with combined pledges of $250, $500 or even more! You’re not a rock star… you’re bigger and better… you’re a RUN/WALK STAR!!!

Questions on how to make any of this work? Call Mark at 630.752.0066 x217

Tim Traynor, Development Director