Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Helping Kids Tips and Tricks

Pinky Swear Foundation and Hy-Vee are committed to fundraising for kids with cancer to make all lives easier, healthier and happier. Now through August 1, kids are actively raising money to help kids in their fight against cancer.

Tip #5: Say “Thank You!” 

Thank your donors for their generosity by writing them a personal card or giving them a call. Express your gratitude, and remind them of the impact they’ve made on the lives of children battling cancer. Your supporters will feel appreciated and may be more likely to donate the next time you’re fundraising. A little gratitude goes a long way! 

Tip #4: Spread the word! 

Tell as many people as you can about your fundraising campaign. Use a variety of methods to ask for donations, and don’t be afraid to send follow-up messages or to ask the same person twice. Below are a few methods you can use to spread the word about your fundraiser. We challenge you to try them all! 

  • Make phone calls 
  • Post on social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, etc.) 
  • Write letters or cards 
  • Send e-mails 
  • Tell friends through word-of-mouth 

For help with what to say and how to say it, check out Tip #3! 

Tip #3: Ask for donations with ease!

One of the best, easiest ways to get donations . . . is to just ask! But knowing what to say and how to say it… that’s the hard part. Here are a few things to think about when formulating your “ask” message: 

  1. Who are you going to ask? People who you interact with on a regular basis — family, friends, classmates and community members — are a great place to start.
  2. What are you asking for? State your personal fundraising goal so that potential donors know what you’re working toward. 
  3. Where can they donate, and where are the funds going? Explain how their donation will be used: to provide support for kids battling cancer and their families. And be sure to share the link to your personal fundraising page! 
  4. When should they donate by? Let potential donors know that you only have until the end of July to fundraise!  
  5. Why are you fundraising? Express your personal, authentic reason for helping kids battling cancer, and explain why others should care, too. 

We’ve written a couple example “ask” messages to get you started: 

Please help me support kids with cancer by making a donation through my fundraising page for the 2021 Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Helping Kids Challenge. By supporting my fundraiser, you will be making an enormous positive impact on the lives of children battling cancer. My goal is to raise $__ by August 1, and you can help me reach this by donating at (this link). Thank you so much for your support! 

Or…

This summer, I’m participating in the 2021 Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Helping Kids Challenge, a fundraiser focused on providing support to kids with cancer. It would mean so much to me if you would consider donating to my personal fundraising page at (link). I only have until August 1 to reach my goal of $___! Even a small donation can go a long way in helping families with a child battling cancer. I greatly appreciate your support. 

Tip #2: Personalize your fundraising page! 

By making your fundraising page unique to you, you’re showing donors that you’re involved and excited about the cause, and you’ll get more engagement. 

Here’s how to personalize your page: 

  1. Go to the #KidsHelpingKids Challenge page here. Sign in to your account by clicking “LOGIN” on the top right corner of the page, then click “My Profile.”
  2. Click “View” in the middle of the page, then “MANAGE” at the top.
  3. Select “DETAILS.” Follow the prompts to make your fundraising page your very own. Uploading a profile picture, entering a personal campaign headline, setting a goal and personalizing your URL will make your page engaging for donors! Don’t forget to click “Save Changes” when you’re done.
  4. Select “STORY.” Here, you can enter a second headline and a story explaining why you’re fundraising. You can even include pictures and videos for an extra personal touch. 
  5. Finally, share your page with friends and family! Post your personal URL on social media and share it with your loved ones. They’ll be excited to support you and your unique campaign! 

Tip #1: Plan a fundraising event! 

Planning an engaging event is a great way to draw interest and attention to your campaign. Promote your event by posting on social media or distributing flyers in your community. And be sure to set and announce a fundraising goal! 

When it comes to fundraising, sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. Here are a few event ideas to get you started: 

  • Ice cream social: Set up a sundae bar and encourage friends and families to support your fundraiser.
  • Craft fair: Get crafty, sell your work, and donate your profits. Invite others to get crafty and sell their work, too! 
  • Karaoke night: Invite your friends to let out their inner rockstar, and ask for a donation for every song sung.
  • Movie night: Set up your own movie theater in your yard or at a community center or school, and sell admission tickets, popcorn, candy, and soda. You can even try this out virtually using an app like Zoom or Netflix Party! 

 Happy fundraising!