Information Packet

UMPS CARE Charities  Office: 518-768-2790  www.UmpsCare.com | www.facebook.com/UmpsCare Date of Last Update: 05/25/2010 About My Run for Bears

My Run for Bears is a fundraiser for the Charities children’s hospital program called BLUE for Kids. The BLUE for Kids program provides memorable Build-A-Bear Workshop® experiences for children across the country coping with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Participants of My Run for Bears:

• Select any endurance race to run in. • Raise $250+ in donations for the BLUE for Kids program. • Receive an Official Run for Bears racing shirt. • Receive a personal fundraising page and supporting materials to meet your fundraising goal. • Are eligible for fundraising incentives.

About UMPS CARE Charities

UMPS CARE Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established by (MLB) umpires to provide financial, in-kind and emotional support for America’s youth and families in need.

A Memorable Day for You...A Memorable Experience for More than 1,000 Children

Major League Baseball umpires Mark Wegner (L) and with patient Ryan Patrick at St. Louis Children's Hospital on April 27, 2010. More than 1,000 children coping with cancer and other serious illness will receive a Build-A-Bear Workshop experience in 2011 thanks to your efforts in Run for Bears. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

UMPS CARE Charities  Office: 518-768-2790  www.UmpsCare.com | www.facebook.com/UmpsCare Date of Last Update: 05/25/2010 Run for Bears Details

CHOOSE A RACE: Choose any race that suits your running style and personal schedule. REGISTER: Register online at www.UmpsCare.com/MyRunForBears.html. Choose the “Register to Run” tab. UMPS CARE Charities will create your personal fundraising page within 3 days of processing your registration.

WHY: My Run for Bears raises funds for the UMPS CARE Charities children’s hospital program called BLUE for Kids. The BLUE for Kids program consists of visits by umpiring crews and team mascots at children’s hospitals across the country to provide memorable Build-A-Bear Workshop® experiences for children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses. Major League Baseball umpires have hosted more than 40 events since the program started in 2006.

FUNDRAISING: Raise a minimum of $250 in pledges by encouraging family, friends, and business contacts to pledge financial support for your effort. FUNDRAISING INCENTIVE PRIZES: $250 Level $500 Level $750 Level $1000+ Run for Bears running shirt Run for Bears running shirt Run for Bears running shirt Run for Bears running shirt Soft-sided cooler Soft-sided cooler Soft-sided cooler Tumbler Tumbler Tumbler MVP Recognition MVP Recognition MVP Recognition $25 Nike Gift Certificate $50 Nike Gift Certificate

• Official Run for Bears Dri-FIT running shirt - ventilated, high-performance, and sweat-wicking design. • UMPS CARE Charities soft-sided cooler – this cooler is perfect for a quick picnic get-a-way or tailgating at your favorite sporting event. • UMPS CARE Charities Columbia Tumbler - this 14 oz tumbler with charity logo. • MVP Recognition – Your name appears on our BLUE for Kids program page for the 2011 season. • Nike Gift Certificates – Redeemable online or at any Nike retail location.

Fundraising and Your Personal Web Page

Your personal Web page allows friends, family members, and business contacts to make credit-card donations in support of your effort. Personal Fundraising Page Features:

. Personal message about the event and your effort, . Fundraising progress bar, . ‘Give Now’ button for secure credit card donations, . Donation form for supporters to print/mail personal checks, . Name, date, amount, and comments from donors.

UMPS CARE Charities  Office: 518-768-2790  www.UmpsCare.com | www.facebook.com/UmpsCare Date of Last Update: 05/25/2010 Fundraising Tips & Ideas

Be Optimistic Have a positive attitude. Excitement is contagious!

Twitter and Facebook Use social media to get the word out.

Our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/UmpsCare Our Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/UmpsCare @UmpsCare

Make Copies of the Donation Form The Donation Form is located near the end of this packet. Make copies and give one to everyone you know.

Be Committed Make the first pledge yourself. When your friends, colleagues and family members see you contribute, they will recognize how serious you are.

Email the World - Make sure everyone you come in contact with knows about your commitment. Send an email announcing your plan to participate to friends, co-workers and businesses you know and ask for their support.

Develop and E-mail Solicitation Strategy - The goal of your e-mail strategy is to drive the E-mail reader to your Personal Web Page to learn more and take action (i.e., donate). Keep e-mails brief and modify them to suit your personality. See section on E-mail Solicitation Strategy later in this document for a sample schedule / template.

Communicate Goal Progress Make your goal public. Let your supporters know how you are progressing. Many people will donate a little bit more if they know you are close to your goal.

Company Support Ask your company’s Human Resources Department if they have a corporate matching gift program. It’s a great way to double your pledges. Even without matching gifts, the company may donate anyway.

Be Creative See if you can hold a Casual Friday at work. Anyone who contributes $10 that day is given the luxury of wearing jeans or casual clothing that specific day.

Speak at Meetings If you’re a member of a club (Rotary, Kiwanis, a business network) announce your involvement at a meeting. Potential donors may want to know more about how the funds are used, so have that information for them.

Ask Anyone, Ask Everyone Make sure everyone you come in contact with knows about your commitment. Ask family & friends first. Next, ask clients, suppliers, anyone & everyone. Make a list of places where you spend money. Don’t forget to include your doctors, drycleaners, dentists, mechanics, and your favorite restaurants.

UMPS CARE Charities  Office: 518-768-2790  www.UmpsCare.com | www.facebook.com/UmpsCare Date of Last Update: 05/25/2010 Fundraising - E-mail Solicitation Strategy

The goal of your e-mail strategy is to drive the E-mail reader to your Personal Web Page to learn more and take action (i.e., donate). Keep e-mails brief and modify them to suit your personality.

Based on experience, the majority of your online donations are made within 5 weeks of your initial E-mail appeal. Consider the following E-mail timeline:

• EMAIL #1 (day 1) - initial e-mail appeal announcing the event and your goal. • EMAIL #2 (day 14) - update donors on progress and encourage prospective donors to act. • EMAIL #3 (day 35) - update donors on progress and encourage prospective donors to act.

SAMPLE EMAIL #1

Dear [NAME],

I am “Running for Bears”…Build-A-Bears that is! Build-A-Bears that will be distributed to children coping with cancer and other serious illness or injury. I hope to raise more than $250 for this wonderful children’s hospital program and then run in the [NAME OF YOUR EVENT] on [DATE OF YOUR EVENT].

I have created my own personal fundraising page and I’m writing to ask for your financial support. The page includes information about my effort and allows for secure, credit card donations directly on the page. Those who prefer to send a donation by check will see a link to a donation form as well.

My personal page: http://www.firstgiving.com/[NAME OF YOUR PAGE]

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, [YOUR NAME]

UMPS CARE Charities  Office: 518-768-2790  www.UmpsCare.com | www.facebook.com/UmpsCare Date of Last Update: 05/25/2010

2010 DONATION FORM

PLEASE MAIL THIS FORM WITH YOUR DONATION TO: UMPS CARE CHARITIES 463 STOVE PIPE ROAD VOORHEESVILLE, NY 12186

. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. UMPS CARE Charities Tax ID: 20-4150440. . Anyone who includes an e-mail address will receive a receipt via e-mail. . All donors making donations of $100 or more will receive a tax-receipt. Donors making donations of less than $100 may also request a tax-receipt. . Donations can be split amongst multiple participants. Please include all participant names on this form.

______

PARTICIPANT NAME: ______EVENT: 2010 RUN FOR BEARS

DONOR CONTACT INFORMATION

______FIRST NAME MI LAST NAME COMPANY

______MAILING STREET ADDRESS SUITE/APT. NO

______CITY STATE ZIP COUNTRY

______E-MAIL ADDRESS (FOR TAX RECEIPT) DAY PHONE

DONOR INFORMATION

$ ______AMOUNT

CHECK PLEASE MAKE PAYABLE TO “UMPS CARE CHARITIES”. WRITE PARTICIPANT NAME ON ALL CHECKS

CREDIT TYPE: AMEX VISA MC

______CREDIT CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE CVV#

______SIGNATURE FOR ALL CREDIT CARDS

UMPS CARE Charities  Office: 518-768-2790  www.UmpsCare.com | www.facebook.com/UmpsCare Date of Last Update: 05/25/2010