Sample Letter

I have signed up to ride in the Colorado ms150. Over the past year, I have really gotten into biking and living a more active lifestyle. I am always looking for ways to get in shape and stay in shape. Luckily for me, in the world of cycling there are a lot of opportunities to ride and give back to community or give to a good cause. I believe that the ms150 really is a good cause (and I get to ride my bike, two positives). The ms150 is really a great fundraiser for fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Since I signed up I have been bombarded with emails about how to go about fundraising. I found this sample letter to be rather entertaining, so I thought I would post it on the blog. I am not trying to make light of their efforts, but honestly who lacks this much creativity that they resort to just printing this letter and then send it out to friends and family.


Dear _________________________________,

I find it difficult to ask someone to make a donation. I guess we all do. But, today, I am writing to you about a cause that’s important to me—a cause I know you will want to support. I have decided to bike to create a world free of MS! This year, I am participating in Colorado’s 23rd Annual Bike MS, a 2-day 150-mile ride this June and I am asking you to join me in this important event by sponsoring me.

Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men contracting the disease. There is no cure, and MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide. The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now. Together, we are the MS movement.

MS researchers have made extraordinary progress these past few years in their search for cure. Of the funds raised through this event, 83 cents of each dollar raised is spent on research and local programs. This has paved the way for the development of breakthrough drugs to treat symptoms of MS, enabling a more fulfilling and productive life for over 8,600 Coloradans living with MS.

Help me reach my fundraising goal of $______________! It’s easy. Simply complete the enclosed contribution form, attach your check (if applicable) and return it to me in the envelope provided by ____________. You can also pledge your support online by visiting bikeMScolorado.org and clicking on the donate/e-pledge link. When you make a donation to the Bike MS event, you become a part of the powerful movement that will end MS forever.

Thank you in advance for your support. Together, we are moving towards a world free of MS.

Warmest Regards,

_____________________________

After reading this email to Swallow, I got the bright idea of asking her company to sponsor my entire fundraising efforts. She laughed at me and said yeah right, nice try. She then rattled off about 10 ideas of how to raise 300 dollars. She sounded like a professional fundraiser. I still like having a corporation sponsor me, but I haven't found one yet, so I will continue on my prowl. Soon enough, she might give in and at least consider sponsoring me. I will keep you posted on my efforts in the fundraising department. :)