Plunger Tool Kit

2011 PLUNGE TOOL KIT

Law Enforcement Presents


POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

Welcome PlungerThank you for signing up to Take the Plunge for Special Olympics Minnesota! We are thrilled to welcome you as part of our mission to provide year-round athletic, health and leadership programs for people with intellectual disabilities.

Your Plunge Tool Kit includes:Polar Bear Plunge InformationYour donors are going to think you’re crazy for jumping into icy waters in the middle of winter! Show them you’re not alone and how much the Polar Bear Plunge has grown.

Special Olympics Minnesota InformationPeople want to know what their money is supporting, so be sure to share some of these facts with your donors. Fill them in on exactly how their donation will help!

Plunge Materials: Business Cards and Donor ReceiptsSome of your donors may want a receipt who donate cash or write a check for less than $20. (All online donations and checks $20 and more will automatically receive a receipt.) Use the business cards to remind people to donate to you. Hand them out to everyone you know!

Fundraising Tips: How to Raise $150 in 7 Days or $500 in 10 Days Use these day-by-day guides to help you reach your fundraising goal. Whether your goal is $150, $500 or more, you can do it!

Fundraising Worksheet Use this form to help you keep track of your fundraising efforts, and make sure you send each of your donors a thank-you note! Consider sending a picture of your Plunge after the event so donors can see exactly what you did.

Sample Donation Request Letter Use this language for a letter or e-mail to your friends and family. Tailor it to your audience, and include facts about your own Plunge; for example, what your costume will be or what you’re most excited or nervous about.


The Polar Bear PlungeBased on an idea from Special Olympics South Dakota in 1993, the Plunge started in Minnesota in 1998. The fi rst Minnesota Plunge was held at Como Lake with 65 Plungers. In 2010, this same Plunge (now held in White Bear Lake) raised more than $159,000 with 850 Plungers participating! Back in 1998, Minnesota held only one Plunge a year. In 2011, we have 14 Plunges on our calendar! Not only have we added Plunge locations, but every Plunge continues to grow. In 2010, Polar Bear Plunges across the state raised $1.4 million dollars for Special Olympics Minnesota! The Polar Bear Plunges are one of many annual Law Enforcement Torch Run events. The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics involves local law enforcement personnel who help raise funds for and increases awareness of Special Olympics in their communities.

Visit www.plungemn.org for more information on the 2011 Polar Bear Plunge presented by Minnesota law enforcement for Special Olympics Minnesota. You can also contact [email protected] or 800-783-7732, ext. 280.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

White Bear Lake January 29 | noon

Willmar/Spicer January 29 | 2 p.m.

Maple Grove Febuary 5 | 1 p.m.

Rochester Febuary 12 | 2:30 p.m.

St. Peter Febuary 12 | 1 p.m.

Prior Lake Febuary 17 | TBD

Duluth Febuary 19 | 3 p.m.

St. Cloud Febuary 19 | 1 p.m.

Alexandria Febuary 26 | noon

South Metro Febuary 26 | 2:30 p.m.

Brainerd March 5 | 1 p.m.

Minneapolis March 5 | 11 a.m.

Eden Prairie March 12 | noon

Grand Rapids March 12 | TBD

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2011 Plunge Dates


PLUNGE MATERIALS

Plunger Business Cards

To make a donation visit:

www.plungemn.org

and click on "Support a Plunger."

Thank you for helping me support the athletes of

Special Olympics Minnesota.

________________________________________________

(Plunger Name)

Please Support My Plunge!Law Enforcement Presents





www.plungemn.org




________________________________________________

(Plunger Name)


www.plungemn.org




________________________________________________

(Plunger Name)


www.plungemn.org




________________________________________________

(Plunger Name)


Donor ReceiptsChecks made for $20 or more will receive a receipt from Special Olympics Minnesota in the mail. Online donor will auto-matically receive a receipt via e-mail. Use these receipts only for cash donations and checks less than $20. Have questions? Contact us at [email protected] or 800-783-7732, ext. 280.

Name:_______________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Donation Amount:___________________Date:______________

Plunger Name:________________________________________

Circle Form of Payment: Cash Check

Thank you for your donation. Special Olympics Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t

organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

2011 Polar Bear Plunge Donor Receipt

Name:_______________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________

____________________________________________________


Plunger Name:________________________________________





PLUNGE MATERIALS

Name:_______________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________

____________________________________________________


Plunger Name:________________________________________





Name:_______________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________

____________________________________________________


Plunger Name:________________________________________






How to Raise $150 in 7 Days

FUNDRAISING TIPS

Who to Ask Total PerDay

Grand Total

Send an e-mail to three friends asking for a $10 pledge (OR challenge them to take the Plunge with you).

$30 $30

Send an e-mail to your three favorite relatives asking for a $10 pledge. $30 $60

Ask one parent and one sibling for $10 each. Your birthday and/or favorite holiday is right around the corner!

$20 $80

Ask two neighbors for $10 each. $20 $100

Ask fi ve people at your favorite restaurant, coffee shop, tavern or hang-out spot for $5. $25 $125

After cooking a nice meal, ask your signifi cant other or best friend for a $15 donation. $15 $140

Add a personal contribution of $10. $10 $150

DAY01DAY02DAY03DAY04DAY05DAY06DAY07


FUNDRAISING TIPSHow to Raise $500 in 10 Days

Who to Ask Total PerDay

Grand Total

Sponsor yourself for $25.$25 $25

Ask three family members to each match your personal donation of $25. $75 $100

Ask your best friend to sponsor you for $25.$25 $125

Ask your boss for a company contribution for $25, or better yet, see if they will match the entire amount you raise!

$25 $150

Ask fi ve local friends to sponsor you for $10 each. $50 $200

Ask fi ve out-of-town friends to sponsor you for $10 each. $50 $250

Ask fi ve businesses you frequent (barber, salon, restaurant, dentist, etc.) to sponsor you for $10 each.

$50 $300

Ask fi ve co-workers to sponsor you for $10 each. $50 $350

Ask fi ve neighbors to sponsor you for $10 each. $50 $400

Ask 10 people from your church/temple/social club/etc. to sponsor you for $10 each. $100 $500

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sUse this sheet as a guide to keep track of your donors. Or make things extra easy on yourself and register online! Visit www.plungemn.org to create a personal, customizable Web page and invite people to donate.

FUNDRAISING WORKSHEET


Dear________________,

I am taking the Plunge for Special Olympics Minnesota this winter! I will Take the ______________Plunge______________(date) and will jump into icy Minnesota waters! No, I’m not crazy. I’m just supporting a wonderful cause: the amazing athletes of Special Olympics Minnesota!

I have set a personal fundraising goal of $______________ , and I need your support to reach it! I’m hoping you’ll make a donation to Special Olympics Minnesota on my behalf and support my Polar Bear Plunge. Any amount you can contribute helps me get closer to my goal.

You can support my Plunge multiple ways. You can return your donation to me in the envelope I have provided, or you can mail it directly to the offi ce at the address below. Be sure to include my name with your donation so staff knows where to credit the contribution.

Special Olympics Minnesota100 Washington Avenue South, Suite 550

Minneapolis, MN 55401

You can also visit Special Olympics Minnesota’s Web site to donate online. Visit my personal Plunge Web page by going to _____________________________________. There, you can pledge to me online. Check my page often, and see how I’m doing. I’ll post a picture of my Plunge after the event!

If you can’t support me with a donation, I’d love to have you cheer me on at the event. Or if you’re really feeling brave, join me and Take the Plunge! You can register online today.

If you want to learn more about this great event, please visit www.plungemn.org.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,____________________


SAMPLE DONATION REQUEST LETTER


Special Olympics MinnesotaSpecial Olympics Minnesota, an accredited program of Special Olympics, Inc., opened its doors in 1973. Currently, more than 7,000 Minnesotans with intellectual disabilities participate and compete in 17 Olympic-type sports.

Special Olympics Minnesota offers fi ve annual statewide competitions, six regional competitions, more than 70 area events, training programs for 3,300 coaches and opportunities for 14,000 volunteers. Athletes can also take part in our Healthy Ath-letes program. Designed to improve health and fi tness, free screenings and education provide athletes an enhanced sports experience and improved well-being. Other opportunities include Athlete Leadership Programs, which give athletes the opportunity to learn public speaking and leadership skills.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA

Statewide Competition

Calendar

Winter Games | March

Spring Games | April

Summer Games | June

Fall Games | August

State Bowling Tournament | November

Documents

Plunger Tool Kit