Hello everyone,
I’m writing post to update everyone on the foundation that I have been a part of over the past 6 months since our loss of our friend Crystal. Some of you are family and close friends, others were inspired and touched by Crystal’s story and contacted me through Crystal’s website www.loveforcrystal.com. Many have been patiently waiting for an update from me on my efforts with the foundation that I have been working with and the upcoming event in September that I am focusing on now and need your help… also please let me know if you wish to be removed from this mailing list. Also, if you wish to respond to me about this blog posting, please email me at support (at) loveforcrystal.com as I will receive your response faster than replying to this blog.
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We are now in full gear of our fundraising efforts for both Memory’s Foundation and Face Off Against Cancer (FOAC) and I’m am in much need of your help. We all knew and love Crystal like she was family and she touched all of our lives in some unique way. After Crystal passed away, I had plans of creating a foundation or charity in her name, however, was introduced by Anthony to a charity that was started following a very similar story to Crystal’s. I decided to dedicate my efforts and time to Memory’s Foundation - something that would mean so much to Crystal and a chance to make a difference.
Memory’s Foundation is a local non-profit organization that was created by Lyall Marshall who lost his wife to cancer over a year ago, leaving behind a husband and a 1 year old daughter. The foundation is dedicated to helping local families in Calgary that have been affected by Cancer and looking for support through their difficult times. They also dedicate their efforts to raise awareness and research for all types of Cancer, namely Rare and Life Threatening types. When Crystal was first diagnosed and Anthony had to quit his job, Memory’s Foundation was quick to assist them and paid their monthly rent until Anthony was able secure long term assistance. This is how I was introduced to Memory’s Foundation and why I also felt it was important for me to join this wonderful organization.
Face Off Against Cancer www.faceoffagainstcancer.org is an annual tournament in September (12th – 14th 2008) that’s efforts currently provides 80% of Memory’s Foundations’ annual funds. Last year the event raised over $210,000.00 in 3 days! Our goal this year is to raise more than $250,000.00. The majority of the funds raised in this event go towards Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Melanoma Chair for research. The tournament is a 3 day event that generates much media attention, local buzz, over 500 participants and spectators, NHL Alumni players (there will be 24 this year, including many well known Calgary Flames alumni that will easily be the first round draft picks), and raises awareness around Cancer Research. This year’s tournament will be in Honour of Crystal Violante and I’m looking for everyone’s help to help make this a big success.
In order for this tournament to be successful, I am looking to you for the following assistance please: where there is reference to attached PDFs, please email me and I will pass them along.
1. Tournament Sponsorship (please see the attached pdf ‘Call for Sponsors’ for more info):
As Memory’s foundation is currently in the application process to be designated as a charitable status organization and be able to provide tax deductable receipts, this is the only part of the event that Memory’s Foundation will retain funds from, however, this is not tax-deductable. The purpose of the tournament sponsorship is to raise money for Memory’s Foundation so that we can continue every year to host this event as well as provide financial support for families in the Calgary area that have been effected by Cancer.
The advantages of the sponsors are that there are many levels of sponsorships that organizations can participate in. This is an opportunity to associate your organization with the event and support a great cause. Again - unfortunately, this is the only part of the tournament that isn’t tax-deductable.
There are many benefits to the Tournament Sponsorship that I should stress. There will be media attention and publicity around organizations that do sponsor either the entire event or a part of it. Again, please refer to the attached pdf ‘Call for Sponsors’ for more information around where you feel would be a best fit. What I need to stress is the importance of this part of the fundraiser – the sponsorship dollars are the sole funds generator for Memory’s Foundation and what keeps us operational and allowing us to help other families in the Calgary area. All the volunteers and committee members are all volunteers and 100% of Memory’s Foundation’s funds go directly to supporting the community.
2. Silent Auction Items
This year, I have been tasked with the role of Chair – Silent Auction. Last year, we had some very unique and sought after silent auction items that helped raise $20,000.00. I know that this year, with the proper planning and everyone looking towards their contacts, we can certainly generate well over $30,000.00. I really need everyone’s help here to reach out to their family, friends, co-workers, and corporations to help raise items towards our silent auction. The silent auction occurs during the hockey tournament and here are some examples of items that we had last year:
- Custom Graf skates w/ Jerome Iginla Stick
- Markus Naslund Signed Photo
- Island Get-Away
- Foursome of golf with Kelly Hrudy
- Fly Fishing Package
- Flames Tickets
- Signed Niedermayer Hockey Gloves
- Joe Sakic Stick and Easton Skates
- Custom Diamond Jewelry from The GoldSmiths
- Whistler Get-Away
Obviously there are a lot of sports memorabilia, however, I don’t want to just limit our items to that. Most of the spectators of the events are family members of the players and locals wanting to check out the event. Every little bit helps and is significant in helping us raise awareness and $$$ for this event. All items donated or purchased through the silent auction will be tax-deductable as the Alberta Cancer Foundation will be there to help facilitate the transactions. I have attached two pdf forms – one for silent auction donations and the other to forward on to anyone that you feel might be interested.
3. Team Sponsorship
We finally have a team registered! Jennifer Bick was the first to point out how much Crystal loved stars and the significance it has around her friends. I officially registered Crystal’s Shooting Stars team and am now looking for players and involvement from all of you – there were many of you that expressed interest at Crystal’s burial so please sign up as soon as possible so I know how we’re doing for numbers. The cost to register our team is $750 and I thought that if everyone contributed $50 to the team registration, I’ll cover the rest if we are short, or if we have more than 15 players, the cost will be lowered individually. I really need everyone that is interested in playing to register this week so I am aware of the numbers, as well as start spreading the work to your friends and family to donate towards our team. This is a very similar format to the Walk to end Breast Cancer event as each individual can track how much has been raised individually and collectively as a team. The motivation here is that this year the tournament is in honour of Crystal and I would love to see our team raise the most funds this year. Additionally, the team that raises the most funds is awarded the #1 draft pick for the NHL alumni players. I have attached a pdf that explains the tournament and information around the players. If you do not play and would still want to participate in Crystal’s team, which I think will be the case for most, you can still register as a non player and campaign to raise funds under your name as well so please register. The more individuals we have registered the better chance we have of making a difference.
Click here to register for the tournament now!!
As for the team, I would also like to throw out a challenge as well. I’m looking for a corporate sponsor for our team – Crystal’s Shooting Stars (enter corporate name here). I need to stress that this is secondary to a Tournament Sponsor as that is of greater importance. What I am looking for is a corporation that would be willing to kick start our campaign by donating a initial sum (to be determined based on interest) to our team as well as donating our jerseys with their logo for the tournament. There would be some publicity benefits around this sponsorship as we will be Crystal’s Team, however, I don’t want to capitalize on this opportunity. The donation would be tax deductable, but not the jerseys.
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I know this is a long email and there is much to digest. I am hoping for a few things in the coming weeks that everyone can help me with:
1. An effort to help Memory’s Foundation find corporate sponsors for the event
2. Everyone that wants to be involved with Crystal’s team to register and start raising donations by the end of this week PLEASE!!
3. Silent Auction Items donated to the Event or feedback from each individual on what they think they could help with – I’ll do my best to follow up.
4. Corporate support for Crystal’s team to help kick-start out campaign
And last but not least – I would like to get everyone together either this weekend or next to discuss this in person and brain storm on some of the above tasks. Again, I REALLY need your help and know that this is an opportunity for all of us to remember Crystal and dedicate our efforts for such a worthy cause. I know Crystal and her family will be so proud that all of you will take part in this.