$20 Entry Fee and Riders must raise at least $250, this is the cost to send one child to Camp SAM. Each cyclist is asked to fundraise more than the minimum and that is why the ROL has been so successful—the average amount raised per ROL cyclist each year is ~close to $2,000!!
The Ride of Love has 2 purposes:
To increase the awareness about Camp Smile-A-Mile and
To raise money for Camp Smile-A-Mile
Fundraising 101Take some time to think of people who would like to support your desire to ride your bike for the kids at Camp Smile-A-Mile personal and professional contacts) and make a list with their contact information. Each cyclist will receive a packet of information and a DVD once you sign up for the ROL. The DVD is an excellent tool to share with others what the ROL is all about. Write a letter, create a flier, or send an email telling them your story. Tell them why you are doing what you’re doing. Make it personal!! Tell them about the Ride of Love story, why it was started and who it is for. Believe me once you start telling people that you are riding 150 miles in one day for children with cancer—you’ll see the impact by their response. Make sure you send out your communication at least one month before the ROL. The specifics about donations: Make sure to include in your communication the specifics about making a donation and tell them to have them sent to you at least one week prior to the ride.
Make checks payable to Camp Smile-A-Mile in c/o Ride of Love (very important so the money goes into the right account).
Cash donation, make sure to record all of their contact information since I will need this when I send out thank you notes to be used for tax purposes.
Supporters can make a donation online by visiting the Camp Smile-A-Mile website at www.campsam.org but make sure to tell them to click on the Ride of Love tab.
When the money starts coming in just place it in an envelope to turn in either just before or on the day of the ride. I will ask for everyone’s totals a few days before the ride since we will be presenting a “fake” check to Camp Smile-A-Mile upon our arrival. Please don’t delay in getting your money in since we want to give the check to Camp SAM for the highest amount possible.
If you have questions, ideas, or need a copy of one of my fundraising letters please don’t hesitate to call.
Each cyclist must send there $20 registration fee with their registration form and turn in money (minimum of $250) on or by the day of the ROL. We have a number of cyclists who simply write a check for $270 as their entry fee and donation, so if you haven’t yet received your minimum donation of $250 on the day of the ride but it is coming—I’m sorry you must pay the difference to participate in the ride. Your fundraising efforts will be easy once you tell people what and who you are riding your bicycle for the will be generous. 