To Every Child’s Face!

Join Us In Bringing A Smile

How It Works• Asha Provides:

– Weekly training with an experienced marathon coach– Marathon Entry Fee– For MCM, Travel from Boston to Marathon Site and

Accommodation in D.C.– Encouragement and Support in Meeting Fundraising

Goal

• Runner Individually Fundraises:– $2000 For Cape Cod Marathon (Falmouth, MA)– $2620 For Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, DC)– Fundraising Deadline is November 30, 2004

Last Year’s Team

• 7 runners completed the Marine Corps Marathon and 2 runners completeed the Cape Cod Marathon:

• Over $20K was raised!

The Marathons• Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, DC)

– October 31, 2004– 20,000+ Runners– See All the Monuments in DC– Entrance by lottery - Asha has at least 10

guaranteed spots

• Cape Cod Marathon (Falmouth, MA)– October 31, 2004– ~1200 Runners– Hilly, Scenic. Run through small towns, past

cranberry bogs, and by the ocean.

• Other Marathons…– Have another marathon in mind? Tell us.

Fundraising• Done Individually By Each Participant• Most Common Method is by Letter Writing

– Friends– Family– Work Colleagues (& Corporate Matching Donations)– Local Businesses

• Other Ideas Include– Arranging a community fundraising event/dinner/party– Food/Drink Sales

• Asha Will Support the Fundraising Effort by Setting Up Your Online Donations Page, Encouraging Networking, Helping with Fundraising Ideas, Logisitics, Etc.

• The biggest obstacle to fundraising is overcoming the shyness to ask your friends & family for money… the rest is easy!

Sample Fundraising LetterHello there ! “ …..26.2 miles across the sea….” Does it ring a bell …yes ! I am running a marathon organized by Asha….  On October 31, 2004, I will be running 26.2 miles in the Marine Corps Marathon to raise funds for Asha.  Asha, which means HOPE in several Indian languages, is really a hope for the poor children in India. It is a non-profit charity dedicated to the raising funds for the education of children below the poverty line.  I will be a part of Asha’s MARATHON team, a five month, endurance building and fundraising program that readies participants for a successful marathon with coaching, a training schedule, workout guidance, and lots of encouragement. For this marathon my goal is to raise a buck a mile for the entire 26.2 miles.  I know what you are thinking. “ How can I help?” It is easy : send money . I will do the work, I just need your support. I am seeking sponsorships from everyone I know, and even a few that I don’t. Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated and will be combined with funds raised by other volunteers and contributed for the Asha education funding.  Please fill out the enclosed Sponsorship form, and give generously. I am hoping to reach my fundraising goal by September 1, 2004, so please respond soon. Keep in mind, however, that you can send your contribution any time, right up to November 30th. You can even donate more than once to atone for any moral or legal transgressions you should commit between your first contribution and October 1. Photocopy your sponsorship form, just in case. In closing, I want to thank you for anything you can do to help this truly worthy cause. Brace yourself for the obligatory fund raising cliché’ (but remember that it’s true): Your contribution can and will make a difference. Your partner in this worthy cause….

Remember… the personal touch always works best!

Online DonationsRavi Mundoli

Marathon: Marine Corps Marathon on Oct 26, 2003

Fundraising goal: $2620

One score and an unspecified number of years ago, during a time of mayhem and madness, was born the One who would restore balance in the Universe ... etc. etc. and here I am. Having gone through a spectacularly mediocre life, I find myself wanting to do something that I can tell my grandchildren about (assuming, of course, that I survive the marathon). This is compounded by (as coach Wyner put it), delusions of grandeur arising from watching "Chariots Of Fire" more times than recommended. Hence, the marathon.I have been an Asha volunteer for 3 years and overweight for 13, and this is a one-stone-two-birds attempt at doing something to help out both Asha and me. Please do your bit to help Asha out, either by supporting me or one of my teammates.

You can see my training progress here.

“Asha” stands for the hope that we aim to provide the underprivileged children in India.

 

        

Connecting with the cause…

Important DatesDate Event

April 3 and 14, 2004 (Saturday and Wednesday)

Asha-MIT Harbingers Of Hope Program 2004 Kickoff Meetings

May 1, 2004 (Saturday)

First team meeting

May 15, 2004 (Saturday)

Commitment dateOn this day, each participant who has not reached the minimum fundraising amount will be asked to confirm participation by guaranteeing the fundraising minimum with a valid credit card (MasterCard/Visa). The credit card will not be charged until the final fundraising deadline. October 31, 2004

(Sunday)Cape Cod Marathon

October 31, 2004 (Sunday)

Marine Corps Marathon

November 30, 2004 Fund Raising Deadline

Registration Fee and Commitment Date

• $100 Registration Fee– Registration Fee Goes Towards Your Fundraising Total

• Commitment Date: May 15, 2004– Commitment Packet Sent to Runner

• Includes commitment forms & travel preferences.

– Means you are committed to making your fundraising goal.– Credit card given.– If you choose to withdraw you will lose the registration fee.

• Asha commits to helping you achieve your marathon and fundraising goals!

What Do I Do Next?

• I’m Definitely Interested… – If you are ready to commit to running for Asha, please

submit:• The registration fee • Your liability waiver• Your medical insurance information

• I Think I’m Interested… – If you’d still need some time to decide, please:

• Talk to some of our past runners today...• Take the forms home with you… take some time to think

about it… go for an easy run… picture yourself finishing the marathon!

• Contact us if you have further questions or come to the April 14th meeting!

– You can also come to our first couple of group runs to see what it’s like…