March Newsletter: Spring is here, and we are blooming with ideas!

If you didn't hear, I was declared "NED" - No Evidence of Disease. That means that there are no current signs that there is any cancer in my body. There are still things happening as far as treatment and recovery are concerned, and you can follow more about that on my blog, but the good news is that I'm NED. Thanks so much for your support as I fight my own cancer battle.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

•  3/14 in Darien, CT - Fondue-Raiser for LIVESTRONG - http://meltingpot.com/darien/specials/livestrong-fondue-raiser
  Dine with us and you will enjoy a special four-course fondue feast for just $44.95 per person. A portion of the proceeds from each meal purchased ($10.00) will go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Please phone in your reservation today: 203-656-4774
  
• 4/29 in Pound Ridge, NY - The 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN benefiting LIVESTRONG - http://www.active.com/5k-race/pound-ridge-ny/3rd-annual-rock-the-ride-and-run-benefiting-livestrong-2012
  Choose to walk, run or ride to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation and show support for the 28 million living with cancer today! There will be activities for runners and cyclists of all levels before and after the event! Friends and family are invited to join in the fun at the LIVESTRONG Village at the Trinity Corners Shopping Center, featuring booths and tables from local organizations and businesses, and you'll be provided a directory of participating shops within walking distance so you can enjoy the day!
• 5/1 in Stamford, CT - Shop Smart/Do Good at Lord & Taylor in Stamford - http://www.lordandtaylor.com/dogoodstamford
  Donate $5 for every ticket that you want for the event, and you'll get access to Lord & Taylor's best offers of the year with very limited exclusions! Be sure to select "Lance Armstrong Foundation" in the drop down menu when you purchase tickets online. Everyone who gets their tickets to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation will be entered to win a $25 Lord & Taylor Gift Card from me! You can also, email me and I can send you your tickets in advance. Tickets will also be available at the Fondue-Raiser and the ROCK the RIDE & RUN.
• 5/6 in New York City, NY - Team LIVESTRONG joins the TD Bank 5 Boro TourJoin Team LIVESTRONG as we ride the TD Bank 5 Boro Tour! Let me know if you want to join us - rmendes.livestrong@gmail.com! And let me refer you to the team - For every new VIP registration that I refer, another $100 will be donated to LIVESTRONG! Email me if you would like one of the remaining VIP slots left!
• June - date TBD - Camping Trip for Cancer SurvivorsSupported and sponsored by EMS with additional supplies by REI - please let me know if you'd be interested in participating in a weekend of hiking, camping and outdoor activities at a local nature reserve!

I'd like to thank the following businesses for providing their support:

• The Melting Pot for so generously hosting our 2nd Annual Fondue-Raiser
• The 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN would like to thank the growing number of businesses & organizations who have committed to joining us: The Pound Ridge Business Association, The Traveling Bike Shop, REI, EMS, Mark Boyland of Keller Williams Real Estate, Keystone Development, Team Danbury Audi - a local amateur team with some of the top competitive cyclists in their class!
• Lord & Taylor for allowing us to participate in the Shop Smart/Do Good event

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• We are still actively seeking volunteers & sponsors for the 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN! We need people to help at registration, to receive riders, runners & walkers upon their return, items for raffle, swag bags, sponsors for our t-shirts, businesses willing to donate food & drinks, etc.
•  Do you own, or are associated with, a local gallery and would be willing to allow a 2-4 week long exhibit and art sale benefiting LIVESTRONG? Please let us know - we have a number of artists from across the country donating pieces for this project - now, we only need a home!
• The Wilton YMCA is currently seeking votes to receive a grant and the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program! Vote to bring LIVESTRONG funding to Wilton, CT for a program proven to support families fighting cancer. Add your vote before the deadline. http://vote.livestrong.org//vote2012/applicants/215-wilton-family-ymca-inc/
• If you are a cancer survivor, or know one, and would like to join a small group of us for a camping trip, please let me know. I'm working on solidifying a date and location, but EMS & REI have agreed to provide us with some equipment for free and at reduced rates, as well as some guides. It should be a lot of fun and a nice treat!

More events and happenings are in the works. There are so many ways that you can be involved in the fight against cancer. And if you need help, please reach out to me and let me help or go to livestrong.org.

As always, I look forward to seeing all of you at our events! Be sure to introduce yourself and keep in touch! Thanks again!

If you cannot attend one of our events, but you would still like to contribute to the cause, please go to http://laf.convio.net/goto/RicaRocksAustin2012 and make a donation. Let us know if you would like to make the donation in honor or in memory of someone, and we'll bring a racing bib with your dedication on it to Austin in October of 2012. 

-- 
Rica Mendes, LIVESTRONG Leader

Start 2012 off on the right foot!

If there was one lesson I learned last year while organizing events, it was how important sponsors have been with expenses, promotion, etc. I am incredibly grateful to all of our sponsors from last year, and we are now looking for our 2012 sponsors!

Of course, our 2011 supporters are invited to participate again this year, but some of our events are getting bigger, and that means we need more assistance!

In order to ensure that the bulk of the registration fees for these events go to LIVESTRONG, we are not only looking for sponsors who will make a large donation to our Lance Armstrong Foundation Challenge account, but businesses that might be willing to cover some of the expenses like insurance, t-shirts, etc.

If you are an individual, but know of a company that might be interested in this opportunity, please direct them to this blog. Or, you can sponsor us in honor of a loved one or anonymously - however you feel comfortable!

Sponsorship Opportunities are as follows:

Title Sponsor for the Season - $3,000 Cash Donation
(1 sponsorship available)

• Title sponsorship. The (INSERT NAME) ROCK the RIDE & RUN Benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation and The (INSERT NAME) ROCK the RIDGE Benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation
• Logo on all printed materials including: t-shirt, handbills, course maps, registration forms
• Extra Large Logo with link on web site and welcome message on home page
• Recognition in all e-communications from January  to October
• Headline recognition in media and advertising (press releases, fact sheets, etc). Must be secured by January 31, 2011
• Prominent event day signage including
• 2 mentions per month from January to October on Facebook fan page
• Promotional item in goody bag
• Free registration for all employee participants from your organization at all events
• Vendor booth at event
• Announcement recognition
• Race day start speaking opportunity

Seasonal Platinum Sponsor - $1,000 Cash Donation

• Presenting sponsorship opportunity at all events
• Large Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt, handbills, course maps
• Large Logo with link on web site
• Recognition in six e-communications from January to October
• Company feature in one newsletter
• 1 mention per month from January to Oct on Facebook fan page
• Company included in media and advertising (press releases, fact sheets, etc). Must be secured by  January 31, 2011
• Opportunity for event day signage at vendor booth and victory party tent
• Vendor booth at all events
• Promotional item in goody bag
• Free registration for employee participants

Event Gold Sponsor - $750 or Pay for the Cost of Event T-Shirts

• Large Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt,  handbills, course maps
• Large Logo with link on web site in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Recognition in three e-communications regarding the event in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Three mentions on Facebook fan page in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Vendor booth at event
• Opportunity for event day signage at vendor booth and registration tent
• Promotional item in goody bag
• 5 Free registrations for employee participants

Event Silver Sponsor - $500/Pay for $500 of Expenses (Insurance, Port-a-Potties, etc)

• Medium Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt
• Medium Logo with link on web site in the 3 months leading up to the event
• 2 mentions in e-communications regarding the event in the 3 months leading up to the event
• 2 mention on Facebook fan page in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Vendor booth at event
• Opportunity for event day signage at vendor booth
• Promotional item in goody bag
• 5 Free registrations for employee participants

Event Bronze Sponsor - $250 or $250 In-Kind Donation towards Raffle

• Small Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt
• Small Logo with link on web site in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Vendor booth at event
• Opportunity for event day signage at vendor booth
• Promotional item in goody bag
• 3 Free registrations for employee participants

Event $100 Cash or $100 In-Kind Donation towards Raffle

• Extra Small Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt
• Extra Small Logo with link on web site in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Promotional item in goody bag
• Vendor booth at event

Event $75 Charitable Contribution

• Business Name on t-shirt
• Promotional item in goody bag

To become a sponsor, please contact us and let us know which sponsorship package you are interested in.