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Vienna Virginia Madison High School football team kicker Tommy Kennedy came up with a great idea. He got pledges for points he would kick this season. He’s raised enough to sponsor more than seven children at camp so far! Tommy’s efforts caught the hearts and imagination of everyone. His story has been covered by local newspapers, the Washington Post, and WUSA Channel 9 and NBC4 in Washington, D.C. Coverage of his imaginative idea generated much needed awareness for the plight of children in South Africa, and for the work of Global Camps Africa to change lives. Each one of those children will get to know what Tommy did to help them.
Tommy’s idea is easily replicated by anyone, at any age and anywhere. He has put together the steps he took to make it happen. You could do something similar in your community--by team, by individual, by offense, by defense, for basketball, football, golf, hockey, soccer…just about anything. And remember, it’s not just the pledges that you get, but the awareness that you generate as well. You can find further information about Tommy’s efforts as well as the news articles at www.GlobalCampsAfrica.org and click on the link on the left side of the page about Tommy.
Tommy’s approach
 Checked with Global Camps Africa to see if his idea was OK with them.
Talked to school officials to make sure he stayed within the rules. He was told that it is ok to request pledges from friends and family but that he couldn't directly solicit the school community.
Created
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e-mail address
Created flier w/ link to GCA website (see below). Made brochure from flier.
Made list of e-mail addresses of friends and family to send the flier.
Sent out fliers before season began.
Responded to e-mail pledges
Added names of sponsors to e-mail address list
Sent out mid-season update to sponsors
Responded to media interview requests. These resulted from the help of the father of a teammate who works in public relations. He liked the idea of Kicks4Camps so much that he sent my flier to some newspapers and WTOP radio.
At the end of the season, he will e-mail my final tally to his sponsors, his thanks, and information how to donate directly to Global Camps Africa.
Tommy’s generosity and selflessness is further evidenced because he did not tell his coach about his fundraiser at the beginning of the season. He did not want to appear that he was trying to influence his decisions on kickers (Madison has two on the varsity squad) or his game strategy.
The type of fundraiser is fairly easy to implement, and you can help not only provide critical financial support, but also critical media coverage. Try it in your community!
See the news room for articles and stories about this great idea
NBC4
Washington Post
Connection Newspapers
WTOP Radio
VHSL Using Sports to Save Lives
Tommy's Flyer
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