2012 Sneaker Sale Campaign Highlight:

Advance Auto Parts (August 16 – September 30)

We are excited to announce a renewed partnership with Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive retailer of parts, batteries, accessories and maintenance items with shared headquarters in Roanoke, Virginia and Minneapolis, Minnesota.  They have been a partner with JDRF since 1993 and have raised a total of more than $30 million. 

Marshalls (August 19 – September 22)

Marshalls has been a principal partner and supporter of JDRF for over 18 years.  Last year they raised an amazing $2.3 million for JDRF!  This year, Marshalls sneaker sales campaign will be August 19 – September 22 at their over 800 locations across the U.S.

Wawa (September 3 – September 23)

Wawa has been a supporter of JDRF for several years.  Two years ago marked the first time that Wawa raised in excess of $500k for JDRF Sneaker Sales – making them a Major Partner.   Wawa supports JDRF Philadelphia locally in various ways by sponsoring our Walk to Cure Diabetes, Promise Ball, and an annual tennis event, Ace for a Cure.  This year, Wawa coin collection and sneaker sales campaign will be September 3 – September 23 at their over 550 convenience stores throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and Maryland.

Halloween Adventure and Smart Toys (September – October 31)

We are excited to announce a renewed partnership with Halloween Adventure and Smart Toys. Both companies are considered to be among the nation's largest, most respected, and most successful retailers in their respective industries. With a reputation for imaginative store presentations, a focus on quality products, innovative approaches to real estate acquisition, inventive marketing strategies and tactics, and an unwavering dedication to treating its customers and employees alike with the ultimate in respect, the company's growth continues as it expands into new markets.  Halloween Adventure and Smart Toys 9^th annual JDRF scan-able paper sneaker campaign is running the month of September (as seasonal store locations open) through Wednesday, October 31^st in more than 40 stores across eight states.

Since 2003 Halloween Adventure and Smart Toys has raised nearly $1 million in support of JDRF. The cornerstone of Halloween Adventure and Smart Toys' success is its talented and committed team of retail professionals. We look forward to a successful FY13 campaign of raising more than $150,000 in support of JDRF's goal to cure, better treat, and prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D). Thank you in advance for doing your part to steward Halloween Adventure and Smart Toys locally to help ensure a continued partnership with JDRF. 

Corporate Walk Teams:

Corporate Walk Teams are an ever-growing area of JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes. Whether you are a small "mom & pop" shop or a large corporation you will find this to be an energizing, exciting and rewarding event in which to take part.

At JDRF, you can be confident that the money you raise and donate is being used efficiently; more than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.

Look around and learn more about being a Corporate Team, or, if you already participate in this capacity check back frequently for updates, information and fundraising tips!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Team Building Suggestions

Recommended Goal:

• Team walker target: 20%-50% of employee base
• $100 pledge average
• Includes co-workers, family, friends and neighbors of employees

Team Captains:

• Appoint a head captain to lead the team building effort and to serve as the liason with the JDRF office
• Recruit multiple Team Captains by department or floor
• Have all Team Captains attend the Team Captain Kickoff Luncheon
• Consider holding an "All Team Captains Meeting" to discuss goals/action/progress of team

Internal Communication:

• Recruit additional walkers through an internal memo from CEO/President to all employees encouraging them to join the team and promoting fundraising and incentive ideas

Internal Kick-Offs:

• 10-15 minute presentation at management and/or staff meetings
• JDRF staff and/or volunteers discuss diabetes and Walk to Cure Diabetes participation
• Team Captains discuss internal goals and incentives
• View the JDRF Walk video

Internal Incentives:

• Company team t-shirts
• Incentive prizes that recognize top fundraising team members, team members who recruit the most walkers, top Team Captain fundraiser, top fundraising department, etc.
• Ideas for incentive prizes include: pizza parties, sporting event/concert tickets, half or full day off, special casual day, VIP parking spaces, etc.

Approach Vendors to Participate

• Send a letter to vendors to solicit them to a) walk on your company team; b) support your team through donations; c) support your team by donating incentive prizes

Matching Gift Opportunities

• Research and discuss opportunities for Matching Gifts within corporate guidelines. Matching Gifts is a great incentive for walkers to participate and raises more dollars for diabetes research.