The Great Ohio River Paddle

Paddle-A-Thon

Paddler Fundraising and Premiums

One of the ways you can help make this extraordinary event even more exciting is by letting friends, family, and local businesses support our efforts to improve the environment and quality of life for 25 million people (the approximate population of the Ohio River watershed). You can do this by participating in the fundraising segment of the event. We even have fundraising pdf to help you along.

It's very easy. There are three ways you can do it. (1) Just use the pdf (feel free to make copies) to record how much each person or company will pledge for you to paddle, (2) create your own personal fundraising page (see below), and/or (3) have the person make the donation directly through our website - referencing you in the Other section!!

Your Own Personal Fundraising Page

We have identified a great site called FirstGiving.com.  FirstGiving.com is a safe and secure way for individuals to donate to verified charities online.  More importantly, it allows you to solicit and track funds that others are through your participation in GORP.

At the website, you'll create your own individual page. (This facilitates the tracking and allows a more personal touch.)  Setting up a page only takes about 5 minutes and is extremely simple (even for the not so tech-savvy among us!) This is also an easy way for you to reach out to your family, friends, business acquaintances and anyone else you feel would like to support Ohio River Foundation. Signing up is simple:

  • Go to http://www.firstgiving.com/27621
  • Click “Start Fundraising”
  • What sort of event are you doing? Select "Sporting event"
  • Then select "Other event" from drop down menu
  • When is it? Enter: October 13, 2012
  • Click “Continue”
  • It will say no event found. Type in the box "Great Ohio River Paddle"
  • Click Continue
  • Create your account (your personal information) - type in your email and click that you're new to the site
  • Enter your profile information
  • Personalize your page (if you want to):  Add a photo, write a personal message, set your fundraising target, and more...
  • Now you're ready to start sharing your fundraising page with friends and family and ask them to make donations - Send to friends, family, businesses, and anyone else who you feel will support you for GORP!

Collect the money in advance of the event. You MUST turn it in at the event check-in on October 13.  Premiums (listed below) must be selected before or at check-in.  Delivery or pick-up will be scheduled/arranged at that time.

As you raise your pledges, keep an eye on this page for great items that are available at various pledge total levels. New items are added as new companies and individuals become event sponsors, and the more you raise, the higher the value of the premiums for which you are eligible.

You may claim one premium from one of the Premium Categories based on the amount you have raised. Premiums are offered as long as supplies last, which is a good incentive to do your fundraising early!

PLEASE NOTE: We need to have actually received your eligible pledges before you can claim a premium. Pledges through personal fundraising pages qualify soon after they are made, but if you have pledges you have collected in person, you need to send them in before claiming any premiums.

PREMIUMS

Raise

Choose and Receive...

$500+

Potomac Pathfinder 100 Kayak

or

$250 VISA Gift Card

$350

 

Field & Stream Fiberglass Paddle

or

$150 VISA Gift Card

$250

 

Kelty Jaunt Lumbar Pack

or

$75 VISA Gift Card

$200

Emergency Light & Power Station

Quantum Kayak Cart

or

$50 VISA Gift Card

$150

Camelbak Insulated Water Bottle

$100

Kwik Tek 3-pc Kayak Paddle

or

$25 VISA Gift Card

$50

 

Dry Tek Dry Bag

or

Great Ohio River Paddle cap/hat

or

Dick's Sporting Goods $10 Gift Certificate

or

Panera $10 Gift Card

or

Starbucks $10 Gift Card

More paddler premiums coming soon!

Check back here periodically to see new items we add to reward your fundraising efforts.

As you ask for sponsors, remember that all donations to Ohio River Foundation are tax-deductible.

To Collect a Premium

When you reach a pledge total that makes you eligible for a premium, please let us know before the event.  If we can we'll have your premium at the event for you to pick up and save shipping/mailing or gas costs!  However, large items (like boats) will require you to make a separate trip to pick up.

Thanks for your help in making this event a tremendous success. We look forward to sharing this event with you!

To be eligible for awards, all contributions and pledge/sponsor sheets must be turned in by June 12th.

Don't forget that small businesses make great sponsors, too!