People occasionally comment that raising money for the PMC must be difficult. They say “I’d like to do the ride but I can’t imagine raising the money.”
In my first year, I was concerned about raising the money too. At that time, the annual commitment was $1200, and I wasn’t sure that I could do it. Riding the 192 miles was pretty straightforward; finding enough people to donate a collective $1200 seemed daunting.
A good friend of mine gave me some sage advice, saying: “Tell people why you’re doing the ride and ask them to support the cause.” So I did, and 21 years later, I’m still doing it.
What I’ve learned over the years is to be authentic, to share why I’m doing the ride, where the money goes, and importantly, that people are generous.
I learned that I’m not asking people for money; I’m enrolling them in the support of an important cause, offering them an opportunity to engage in something big. Sponsors have come and gone. Some have become riders, some have shifted their donations to other riders…which is great…I don’t care how the money gets to the Dana Farber, only that it does. Others have changed their priorities and now support other charities…it’s all good.
So…for those of you who would like to ride but can’t imagine raising the money...you might be surprised. Or you’d like to ride but don’t think you could complete the distance…you might be surprised! If you want to participate, there’s always a need for more volunteers; the PMC is a large, complex operation and it counts on thousands of volunteers to ensure that it runs smoothly.
In my second year of organizing and running a PMC Kid’s Ride in Sandwich, we’re seeing youngsters learning the same lessons. They’re taking on commitments that they hadn’t thought possible, they’re doing things for others, they’re seeing scores of adults cheering for them as they complete their ride. What a wonderful experience for everyone!
This year’s PMC is only a couple of weeks away, and as always, I appreciate your support.
With love,
Lee
To make a donation, please visit http://www2.pmc.org/profile/LL0033 . All donations are 100% tax deductible.
