Walkathon Maven

Hello September!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is next month, October, and the shameless-self-promoters of pink have been at it since August. I think they drink the same marketing punch as the Halloween (August rollout) and Christmas (October rollout) folks.

Here’s the latest Pu-Pu platter of pink marketing items that I have come upon during my shopping travels:

Staples display

This is interesting, since Staples has their HQ in Framingham, Massachusetts – yet they are raising $75,000 with these pink pen sales for a hospital in Southern California.   I understand the Staples Center is in LA, maybe there is a tie-in there.

Here is a pink mailer I got from BJs:

BJs is supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and has even created a website describing their Power of Pink promotion. According to their website: “Since its inception in 2005, the BJ’s Charitable Foundation has provided over $17 million in grants to more than 2,000 non profit organizations that provide basic needs to individuals in our communities. This includes over $2.3 million dollars in support of breast cancer research.”

BJs is headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts and the NBCF has their HQ in Frisco, Texas.   I wonder how they got together.

It is August, and I’ve already come upon some pink marketing for breast cancer awareness month.  This was in a BJs store in my hometown.

I like how they have mentioned the actual amount to be given to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  I checked out the West Coast Novelty group website and it appears that they license many apparel products.  In 2012, they gave $100,000 to BCRF with their Support the Cure promotion.

Let’s hope that other shameless self promoters of pink will disclose how much they will actually give to the cause they make money off of!

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day came to the Boston area last weekend and raised $2.5 million for breast cancer research and programs.  Last month, they announced that the Boston location of the event was being discontinued for 2014 – so I had to swing by the start location and take some photos.  Unfortunately, Mutha Nature rained on most of the setup (thus the dark photos) but the weather got progressively better for their 60-mile trek around the Boston area.

I did a drive-by of the start area on Wednesday, and found a parking lot full of event vans, tractor-trailers, and trucks:

Parking lot full of vehicles for event

Lotsa vans

Lotsa trucks. I hope Budget was a transport sponsor!

The opening ceremony was located at a beautiful park overlooking the water. Sadly, the staging area for the start was being setup in the rain:

setting up the stage

I was surprised to see that they had a large trailer to serve as the command center.  I got out of my car to try and get close to see exactly what happens inside of a large, pink “Command Center” but my kids were afraid that they were going to call the police on me so I only got an exterior shot. As a parent, I feel proud that I have done my job teaching my children the definition of trespassing, and to respect boundaries (when they are with me!)

Command Center!

They even had some motor homes in a coned-off area!  I wonder who got to shack-up in those!!

Big Honkin’ motor homes

On Friday, the break-down began immediately after the walkers left the start area to begin their trek.  This was an efficient crew with forklifts and dozens of workers:

I loved the signage they had instructing folks where they can, and cannot park:

I tried to look for information about how many walkers participated in the event.  Nothing on the official 3-Day website.  I did find info on the City of Boston website that there was approximately 2,500 walkers.  The fundraising minimum for this event was $2,300.  If the 2,500 walkers raised the $2,300 minimum – that equals $5,750,000.  I noted above, based on information from the local CBS news, that they raised $2.5 million.

If the numbers are correct. I have questions. Here are a few:

1. Did they really have 2500 participants?  I hope not, for the numbers sake.

2. Was there really 56% expenses? ($5.7M minus $3.2M = $2.5M)

3. Did they spend more than they raised?

If you read my post last month about the 3-Day, then you know how I feel about the production costs and return on investment. I’m glad they they raised $2.5 million for a disease without a cure, but I think that the logistics may have made it to be less cost-effective to sustain.

Here a link to a good blog about the Boston 3-Day.

One final photo.  You know I cannot refuse a beautifully straight line of potties:

Mother’s Day is this Sunday and my fave gift each year is to simply have the day off.  My wonderful hubby takes care of all the kid taxi duties, cooking (meal arrangement) and child drama for the day so I can go do whatever I want.  In past years, I have leisurely strolled an IKEA store, perused an outdoor artisan market and visited a local museum.  On Sunday, I may go for a bike ride around Boston or see a chick flick if it rains.   Best Day Evah!

Many organizations are also taking advantage of “the day” by marketing their products to raise money for charities.  Major League Baseball is allowing players to use pink Louisville Slugger bats for the day.  According to Louisville’s WDRB: MLB will authenticate and collect the game-used bats and auction them on MLB.com. Louisville Slugger has donated over 250-thousand dollars worth of bats to raise awareness and money for charities.  Proceeds will benefit breast cancer charities

I have visited the Louisville Slugger website several times and cannot find the specific breast cancer charities that will be receiving these funds.  The MLB has a whole pink breast cancer awareness shop. They have a lovely MLBcommunity page that says the monies raised will go to Komen and Stand Up to Cancer.

Speaking of Komen, here is an NPQ article about Nancy Brinker, the founder of Komen.  She supposedly resigned last year as CEO but just received a 64% raise.  Things that make you go Hmmmmmm.

Most of the breast cancer walks and runs happen in either October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month or May – to commemorate Mom’s Day.  May Mutha Nature smile upon you and your participants!

I hope all the mommies out there have a great Sunday!  Happy Mother’s Day!

Being a WallkathonMaven allows me to help out on great events like this!

Please join us!

Birthday Friendraiser Walk!

Walk with us to celebrate Kris’ birthday and raise funds for the Burke Family!

Join us for a short walk, birthday party games, and of course, BIRTHDAY CAKE!  Wear your favorite and most creative hat to make the walk even more festive!  Ask your friends, neighbors, and extended family to support you with a donation for the Burkes!  This walk may provide community service credit depending on the requirements for your school or organization, so check with your coordinator!

When? Saturday, December 1, 2012 – 10 a.m.-noon

Where?  Barbieri Elementary School, 100 Dudley Road, Framingham Massachusetts

Who?  You and Your Family!  Invite your friends!

Why?  Kris is a Barbieri mom, a former Brophy teacher, and the Burkes are a Framingham family.  Since 2001, Kris has been battling breast cancer, and now metastatic cancer.  Our community has come together to provide support for the Burkes, and we are hoping that this walk will help to cover their medical bills and household expenses.  If we all pitch in, we can really make a difference for this family.

What’s Next?  Click one of the links below to participate!

• Register yourself or your family for the walk.
• Can’t be there on December 1st?  Walk virtually!
• Support a walker.
• Read about other ways to help.
• Download a flyer about the walk to distribute.

http://keepingkrisstrong.org/walk

Thank you!

Questions?  Click here for the FAQ page, or to ask another question.

‘Tis the season for random merchandise to shamelessely promote their items by including a pink ribbon on the packaging.

I have already posted a few here, and here.

And today, for your viewing pleasure are a few more that are using the pink ribbon to promote their products.

No indication of any monetary donation or an organization receiving support.

I like this article about how we should think before we pink.

This article from the Daily Mail UK is a bit much but a fun read, with good photos!

Wow. It is not even breast cancer awareness month and soooo many products are already using the pink ribbon to shamelessly promote their products.

Here are a few that use the pink ribbon and do not even indicate an organization they may, or may not be supporting.

Bounty    I see nothing mentioned on the packaging or the website.   Just using the pink ribbon for decoration, I guess.

Charmin.  Nothing mentioned on their website either.

Pantene   Looks like they have partnered with the American Cancer Society on hair/wig donations but I do not see any monetary donation information.

Pink Poof.   Really?  No information on their website, but it appears that American Sales Company is owned by Ahold, which owns Stop&Shop, etc..

Great article about how you should Think before you pink.

Wow.

Now there is yet another produce company using the pink ribbon to market their merchandise and hopefully raise money for breast cancer.

This article from The Packer has some deets. I wonder how much was spent to create and print the sticker vs the total donation to the intended organizations.

Just when you think you have seen all of the opportunities to use the color pink to raise money…

Here ya go