The Sneaker Stroll 
One of the simplest, most successful ways that people raise money for JDRF is through small, volunteer- run walk events. Begun originally in areas without an official JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes nearby, these have adapted and grown over the years to accommodate schools, civic groups, day camps…anyone seeking to have a fun event for a great cause. If a Sneaker Stroll walk event sounds like the kind of fundraiser you would like to run, we have put together this resource guide to assist you with your planning. It is as easy as 7 simple steps:
Step 1: Pick a Date
The great thing about Sneaker Stroll is that you can do it at your convenience. It can be a weekend morning, a weekday afternoon…even the middle of the night! Let your calendar, and your internal clock, be your guides!
Step 2: Pick a Location
Picking the location is easy! Just consider what type of Stroll you want to have. It can be as simple as walking around your neighborhood with your family or you can have an event that involves the community at a park or recreation area.
Here are some ideas that others have shared with us:
- Block Party– Walk around the neighborhood with your friends and end at your house for a pot luck.
- Mall – Do a winter power walk with friends through the mall.
- Amusement Park – Plan a day trip to a nearby amusement park with family and friends. Walk through the park and then hit the rides!
- Community Park – Perfect location for a traditional Sneaker Stroll event. Lots of room to bar-b-que, play games and have a nice walk!
Whatever you decide we just want to make sure that it is fun for you and your fellow Strollers!
Step 3: Set Your Goals
The Stroll itself is a great coming-together of family and friends, but it is important to remember the overall objective – Raising dollars to help find a cure for diabetes.
It is key for you and your family and your friends to have something to reach for – so this is why we recommend setting a goal! At JDRF, we are a powerhouse when it comes to raising dollars, because we know that every dollar brings us closer to that cure! We recommend setting a goal of having each of your walkers ask at least 10 people for 10 dollars – sounds easy, right? It is! So for each walker you are expecting, set a goal of $100.
For example, if you and your spouse and your two children are Strolling, set a goal of $400. You will be surprised as to how generous people are and how quickly you surpass your goals. Don’t forget to try our online fundraising tools to reach more donors and see even greater success. We have created terrific tools that will assist you and your teammates on raising more dollars than you ever thought possible!
Step 4: Plan for Your Sneaker Stroll
Your specific logistical needs will depend somewhat on where you decide to hold your Stroll and how many people you are hoping will attend, but here are a few things to consider:
Participants: What is the best way to recruit people for your Sneaker Stroll? You should definitely invite all of your friends and family (think holiday card list, address book, e-mail contacts, FaceBook friends). Then consider a community appeal. Is there a community newspaper of mailer that you could list your event in? Will local business hang up a flyer? Put flyers in neighbors' mailboxes. Also remember the rest of the local diabetes community. Ask your endocrinologist to put something out to their patients, tell local support groups, involve school nurses and diabetes educators! Don’t forget about your child’s school – talk to their teacher, PTA, principal and PE teacher about involving the school.
Volunteers: Don’t try to do it all on your own. Enlist the help of other family and friends and maybe through your outreach to the diabetes community, there is someone interested in helping out!
Timing: Decide what time your event will be and how far participants will walk. Keep some time open before the event for a “thank you” to all of your participants and after the event to celebrate your achievements!
Supplies: The list of supplies that you will need will depend on where and when you are having your event. The most important thing is to have water available—though some Sneaker Strolls serve food and other beverages and include entertainment and activities. Work with your fellow volunteers to come up with a “wish list” of what you need, and then reach out to local businesses to ask for donations in exchange for some public acknowledgment.
Step 5: Register Your Sneaker Stroll Online
Our online tools will not only make your work so much easier, but they will also help you to raise more money for diabetes research!
Once you know all of the details of your Sneaker Stroll, click on any of the links that say "register your event" and sign up online. It is very easy and will assist you on keeping track of your team, promoting your event and raising money. After you have set up your event, you can direct your participants there and they can set up their own fundraising website and raise donations online.
Once JDRF has received your event’s registration, you will receive an Event Organizer Toolkit, including:
- Event Summary Form—you’ll complete this duplicate form and send it in to JDRF with the proceeds from your event. (Please convert all cash to checks before mailing.)
- Fed-Ex Overnight Envelope—for sending in your collected checks and Summary Form.
- Community Hero Certificate—our thanks to you for getting involved and helping us raise funds for the cure!
Step 6: Be a Sneaker Speaker….Get the Word Out!!
Download our easy to use Event Information Flyer template at www.jdrf.org/teamjdrf in our resources section.
All you need to do is pop your local information in the template, print and photocopy! Reach out to your local media and ask them to highlight your personal story and the details of your event.
Be sure to give each participant the following tools:
- Event Information Flyer (this has important information on the specifics of your walk)
- Walker fundraising guide (this will provide ideas and tools to raise money!)
- Walker sponsor/pledge form (this is a place that participants can keep track of their donations)
Step 7: Hold Your Event
Lace up those shoes and head for the Sneaker Stroll! The hard work is done; now enjoy your event with your friends and family. Be sure to say a big THANK YOU to your participants, volunteers, and in-kind sponsors—they, and you, are the reason that Team JDRF is making the difference in fundraising efforts across the country!
On the day of your Stroll, be sure to collect any funds that were not raised online and send them in using the provided Event Summary Form and Fed-Ex envelope.
Thank you. We know that it is the passion of volunteers and community organizers such as yourself that makes the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation the leading charitable funder of diabetes research. We look forward to hearing of your success! Look for additional tools, resources, and best practices at: www.jdrf.org/teamjdrf in the resource section.
Some of the items that are available are:
- Printable flyers
- Sample personal letter writing campaigns
- Sample requests for in kind donations
- How to create a video letter campaign
Is there something else you are looking for? Visit www.jdrf.org/teamjdrf and click “Contact Us”. A Team JDRF Cheerleader will be in touch.
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