12/15/2009
By Sandra MacInnis, WICC Ontario
When the word “fundraising” is mentioned, most people think of celebrity golf tournaments, elaborate galas and “Big Cheque” donations. However, for most non- profits, WICC included, it is the smaller, more grassroots initiatives that build our success.
Often, the best and most successful fundraisers start at a grassroots level – a branch office, a group of friends or a business organization will band together to raise funds and awareness for a cause, like WICC, that is near and dear to their hearts.
They may raise $500 or $3,000, but when you add up all of these “little” donations, you will come up with more money than any of WICC’s major, “official” events. In fact, many would argue that these initiatives are even more important than the flagship events. The benefits reaped from grassroots initiatives are immeasurable – the awareness, the enthusiasm and the strength of community these events foster far outweigh lavish galas or even traditional corporate teambuilding.
It is through local events such as the ones below that WICC’s mission is communicated across the country and more and more people are pitching in to help the fight against cancer.
The Pink Ladies Spaghetti Dinner
On October 6, a group of women at Worden Insurance gathered at Remezzo’s Italian Bistro in Scarborough, ON to hold the Pink Ladies Spaghetti Dinner. This “fantastic” event brought 60 ladies together in their best pink pyjamas and slippers for a night of spaghetti, great laughs and a memorable chance to donate to WICC. Organizers were thrilled to be able to donate to WICC and they can't wait to start planning their next Pink Ladies Dinner.
Great Motorcycle Ride
At the IBANS/IBANB conference in Halifax last fall, a group of brokers launched the Motorcycle Ride. Nineteen riders took time out from the conference and collected pledges on behalf of WICC, raising an impressive $9,434. The giving spirit only grew as the week wore on and by the end of the convention, the total amount pledged to WICC exceeded $22,000!
WICC Lifetime Achievement Award
In December 2009, Chubb Insurance presented WICC’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award to Jan Tomlinson, former Chubb president and past WICC co-chair, in recognition of her ongoing support of the WICC mission and her years of service to the cause. $5,000 was donated to WICC in support of this award. We all thank Jan for the dedication and hard work she gave WICC for so many years.
Throwdown for Cancer
In Kitchener, seventeen year-old Colby Karpowicz, brother of Crawford’s Ashley Karpowicz, and his band held a concert and directed all proceeds to WICC. Young Corby and his friends came together for a rocking good time, charging $10 at the door to the more than 350 teenagers in attendance. Corby and his band also raised an additional $1,000 in donations, making their total donation to WICC an impressive $4,100. Kids these days!
The Boss Gets Dunked
In August 2009, Crawford Class Action Services held a lemonade stand competition and hosted a barbecue to benefit WICC, but attendees came for the main attraction: a dunk tank featuring Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. CEO John Sharoun. Despite the chilly temperature of the water, John heckled participants from his perch, ensuring that the afternoon was thoroughly enjoyed by the employees. John took his many, many dunks in stride and always with a smile, and the event raised $2,500 for WICC.
The Biggest Losers
In Toronto, a group of 5 Cunningham Lindsey staff are tipping the scales in WICC's favour. They have banded together in a Biggest Loser weight loss challenge. Contestants are accepting $5 pledges from supporters and have already surpassed their $500 goal. The person who loses the largest percentage of body weight come June 2010 will be named the winner. However, no matter who takes the title, the real winner at the end of the day is WICC!
WICC Tribute
Established at the 2008 Dinner, the WICC Tribute Recognition initiative is a tangible and meaningful a way to honour the important people in our lives who inspire us to doing more with WICC. It’s a way for friends and family to unite behind the passing memory or living courage of one person who touched their lives – and raise money in that person’s name. To date, the program has established a dozen Tributes and has generated over $51,000 in donations.
Dollars for Denim
This was Chartis Insurance’s inaugural WICC event after choosing WICC as their corporate charity of choice. In one Denim Day alone, Chartis raised over $1000!
Alberta Poker Run
On June 13, 2009, the IBAA in Calgary organized a Poker Run for WICC. The organization charged only $25 per poker hand and gladly accepted other donations from local insurers, brokers and other businesses. The Run’s route covered over 270 km of the scenic foothills surrounding the city of Calgary, concluding in Bragg Creek.
WICC Donations in Lieu of Gifts
Over the past year, a number of individuals within the insurance industry turned their birthdays into a WICC donation opportunity by asking their friends and family to donate to WICC in lieu of gifts. All in all, several thousands have been raised for WICC, as our birthday boys and girls blew out their candles. Our wish certainly came true!
Mark Your Calendars!
On March 11, 2010, Mustang Investigations will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day Charity Social with proceeds going to WICC. It will be held at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub, beginning at 5pm.
As these events demonstrate, a little certainly does go a long way. We would like to thank each of these groups for their enthusiasm, and their determination and commitment to keeping the WICC mission alive.
If you’re looking to start up a local fundraiser, but have no idea where to start, WICC’s idea bank is growing every day. It can be found on our website, www.wicc.ca/ideabank.asp.
Also, if you have held similar events in your region, we would love to hear from you! We are always looking for new and innovative ideas to share with the rest of the insurance industry. Please contact us at execdirector.wicc@sympatico.ca . Or you can join the InsTouch community and post your ideas on the WICC Ontario group page.
There are always great initiatives being planned across Canada. If you have a WICC event to promote or an idea in mind, we'd love to hear about it and help you spread the word. Contact us at any time!
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