August 18, 2008
Assistive Technology Loan Program
During the first of June, at our Bogus Creek Western Event Fundraiser and Live Auction, we raised money for a special need. The special need was an Assistive Technology Library. We raised enough to start a library. We are working hard on selecting items we are going to buy and the process we are going to use for lending those items out. We want to buy products that PALS don’t have access to. That’s why we carefully chose the members of the library board: Kristi Pardue, a member of the MDA ALS Clinic, a licensed Speech Therapist and a communication specialist. Anne Kuhlmeier, a licensed Speech Therapist, often works with PALS, runs a communication camp for kids with speech deficits and a communication specialist.
The loan library is now open for business. Please refer to the links, library procedures, borrower's contact, and inventory list. Also, if we don't have the equipment you need click the link, other access for equipment.
If you would like to donate items or money contact Joe Harris by calling 208-884-8216 or email boise@extrahands.com.
Links:
March 01, 2008
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BOISE CHAPTER OF EXTRA HANDS
We are currently recruiting ALS families and student volunteers. We are working diligently working on forming close community ties for recruitment and fundraising purposes.
KEEP THIS IN MIND
The Run for Your Life fun run:
The Run for your life fun run is for families, student’s, runners and for anyone who wants to participate. It’s the biggest and best costume party ever! The masquerade will be on November 2 at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho. The run will be a great time with great prize. The run was a huge success and a blast. The prize winners were extremely pleased, especially the flat screen tv. DON'T MISS NEXT YEAR!
ALS Symposium: On November 1, 2008 we will hold an ALS Symposium, in partnership with the MDA and ISU, that will be informative to both health Professionals and PALS. Contact Sarah for more information. Sarah's cell phone number is 208-244-1542. < b>The Symposium was a huge success and a blast. DON'T MISS NEXT YEAR!
Assistive Tech Library: See the entry above and in the right hand column for borrowers form and the library's inventory list for more details.
Fall holiday projects for our ALS families: If you are a PALS in the Treasure Valley call Jill at 884-8216 and leave a message. If you are a volunteer do the same.
For more information on the Boise Chapter of Extra Hands please scroll down.
July 27, 2007
Extra Hands for ALS
OUR MISSION
To instill the importance of community service and develop leadership qualities in young adults by uniting them with people who have ALS and their families.
BRIEF PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Extra Hands for ALS is a national non-profit organization that teams up high school and college age students with families that have ALS to help with non-medical things around the house such as vacuuming, dusting, cooking, helping with children and running errands. Another component to Extra Hands is that every student is given an adult mentor that is the conduit between the families and students and is a key in making sure the team functions well.
More specifically in Boise we have served 30 PALS (person with ALS) and their families since May 2004. We have had 106 people sign up as student volunteers and 43 as mentor volunteers. We have had over 80 project volunteers and have a group of five program managers. All these people have contributed ~ 18,330 hours of service to ALS families, ALS awareness or to the Extra Hands cause. I would like to thank all the families, volunteers, media, and numerous others who have helped the Boise Chapter of Extra Hands become very successful. (Updated May 2008)
July 27, 2007
Contact information
Jim Presbrey
Extra Hands for ALS Headquarters
37 Curtis Ave.
Manasquan, NJ 08736
jim@extrahands.org
732-223-1602 office
908-208-3674 cell
Joe Harris
Program Manager - Boise Chapter of Extra Hands for ALS
harjoejill@yahoo.com or
boise@extrahands.org
208-884-8216 office (weekday mornings until one)
July 27, 2007
Extra Hands Website’s Important Links
Watch a Video and see what Extra Hands for ALS is all about: www.extrahands.org/2_videos
If you are interested in volunteering go to www.extrahands.org/1_signup and sign up.
Sign up for the Extra Hands Network at ga4.org/xhn/home and receive a monthly newsletter. The content includes, but is not limited to, pertinent Extra Hands news and updates, research and advocacy news. Not only does the Extra Hands Network email you a monthly newsletter, it provides you with an opportunity to create your very own Extra Hands web page.
If you would like to donate to Extra Hands go to www.extrahands.org/4_contribute.
If you would like to donate on behalf of a Boise chapter PALS, PALS family or volunteer please contact Joe or Jill Harris or Sarah Barsness. See contact information at the beginning of this page or email us at boise@extrahands.org.
For current events going on all across the country go to extrahandsforals.org/xhevents.
To join and post your ideas and read about ALS and Extra Hands go to Life with ALS forums at www.extrahands.org/forum/default.
Boise Chapter facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/people/Extra_Hands_Boise/1010835425.
You Tube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fst4oB5TZdw.
Boise Chapter My Space page
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=259207021.
For Links to a variety of ALS sites go to www.geocities.com/sweekes99/ALStitle and www.alslinks.com.
July 27, 2007
Boise's Program Management Group
The group was set up to disperse responsibilities and to bring six minds together to create a strong Boise chapter and to solve problems. These six minds are definitely better than one.
Joe Harris, the program manager, has a graduate degree in Physical Therapy and has worked for Extra Hands since its Boise inception. To learn more about Joe, who has ALS, go to www.joesalsadvocacy.com/pages/mystory.
Jill Harris, Joe’s wife, is a program manager, Physical Therapist and has been with Extra Hands since its Boise inception. She also works full time for SLIERS as a manager of an outpatient clinic. She is an amazing person. She is a mom of a beautiful 7 year-old girl, wife and Joe’s primary caregiver.
Connie Stauts, Joe’s mom, is a volunteer program manager. She is currently on a break from her duties as the primary program manager. Joe, Jill and his assistant took over her primary program manager’s duties. Therefore, Connie has extensive expertise in running and creating the Boise branch of Extra Hands. In her tenure as the primary program manager, she helped establish and make the Boise chapter of Extra Hands extremely successful and she will be a huge asset to the group. She also grew up in the business world, beginning at the age of 15 when she assisted her father in management of their country store in rural Idaho. Volunteering began at an early age, as well, starting with church and neighborhood activities. She included her children in volunteer activities in their youth; spending time with them in building floats, participating in red ribbon drug awareness affairs, Boy Scouts activities and Fun Runs. Connie's work career included human resource and customer service positions but her favorite employment exists in real estate, originally as an agent and, more recently, as an investor. Connie also makes certain she has time for her family, especially her grandchildren and her dog, Peaches.
Keri Noll, Joe’s sister, has a graduate degree in Speech and Language Pathology, has been with the Boise Chapter of Extra Hands since its inception and is a volunteer program manager. She is currently working full time for SLIERS and is the Director of Pediatrics for St. Luke's Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Services. For the last four years she has been in a position where she is responsible for the development and oversight of pediatric programs and staff development within the organization. She manages a team of 35 therapists that provide comprehensive outpatient therapy services for speech, physical, and occupational therapy as well as counseling.
Kristi Pardue, who also has a graduate degree in Speech and Language Pathology, has been with the Boise Chapter of Extra Hands since its inception and is a volunteer program manager. She is currently working full time for Idaho Elk’s Rehabilitation Hospital and the MDA’s Boise ALS Clinic as a Speech Therapist. She has an extensive background in communication which makes her highly qualified to be a member of our Assistive Technology Library (see below).
Sarah Barsness, the Assistant Program Manager, has a remarkable background in not-for-profits and will be going to ISU Boise in the fall to earn a post graduate degree in Counseling. Her most impressive not-for-profit experience occurred during 2004 through early 2007 for L’Abri Fellowship. Her work included living at a non-profit study center with students 18 and older. She tutored in areas related to theology/philosophy. She cooked meals for 15-20 people, presented study material to students and managed small bookstore/library. Sarah Barsness began work as the Assistant Program Manager for Extra Hands in May of 2007. Her favorite part of the program is the people, "I love meeting all of the amazing PALS and volunteers in Extra Hands. I feel so lucky to get to work with Joe Harris and to spend time with such a unique and caring group of people." Sarah is new to the issues of ALS, but is learning more all the time, "The more I learn about ALS and meet people who have been touched by it, the more passionate I am about finding a cure for this disease." The following statement from Sarah demonstrates her commitment to the not-for-profit industry. "I really believe in volunteering. I've volunteered with women's centers, after school programs, church groups, and Ten Thousand Villages, and I am so happy to continue being involved in the volunteer community."
July 27, 2007
Local Advisory Board (LAB)
The Extra Hands for ALS Local Advisory Board is a means for empowering the local community to help guide the local Boise Extra Hands Chapter to long-term success through innovative program collaboration and enhancement. A strong local board is necessary to raise a portion of the funding necessary to sustain yearly operations. We are in the process of selecting and inviting board members.
July 27, 2007
Wood Family
The Wood family has been very generous to our
chapter and is extremely committed to the
Extra Hands organization.
The Wood family
July 27, 2007
Students
We are in the process of putting together a lecture circuit for our student volunteers and I’m working on an ALS symposium together with the MDA and ISU SLP department that our students, mentors and PALS are welcome to attend. The lecture circuit will be based on ALS issues. Those topics will include, but are not limited to, swallowing, communication, assistive technology, death and dying, pulmonary, etc. Attach a calendar of the topics.
Our students are outstanding human beings. For example, all of our 18-year old students have graduated from high school and the majority of them have been accepted into college. Many of our students have also graduated from college. We have had many Speech and Language Pathology graduates and more than ten students got accepted into medical school. Who knows, maybe they will become doctors who will cure ALS someday. 
One thing we know for sure is that our students are the best of the best. We are truly creating adults better capable of addressing challenges in their own lives and communities. We also believe that by helping ALS families with household chores, students provide a valuable service in their communities, and they learn about courage and determination from people facing one of life's most daunting challenges.
Volunteer of the month awards given to the following students;
Ham, Mercydes
Kenney, Katheryn
Liby, Chris
Burne, Brian
Allen, Camas
What a few student's said regarding xh's:
Danny Barrett
- School- BSU majoring in pre-med/psychology
- Got involved in Extra Hands through Glenda Hill and the pre-med club
- For his PALS he does anything that they need inside or outside the house, but most of the time he does yard work
- The thing that Danny had to say about volunteering was, “I was most surprised by being comfortable with the family, and knowing that you make a difference at the end of the day for someone else.”
- After college Danny plan to go to medical school, get married, and enjoy life.
- Danny prefers metamorphic rocks, Lucky Charms, and if he were to have brunch with a famous musician it would be Rod Stewart. When asked what the best song for adventure is he replied, “That depends on the adventure.”
Kif Ewing
- School- BSU majoring in chemistry
- He heard about Extra Hands through Mikhail, another chem major and friend in the pre-med club
- In talking about some of his motivations for being a volunteer Kif said, “If I were in this situation, I’d want people to help me.” He says that his experience has given ALS reality and believes that when you are ignorant about ALS being exposed to it can change your perspective. He thinks seeing people with ALS gives you empathy.
- Kif would like to go to medical school. He is interested in enzymology research and education. He would like to bring a medical school to Idaho.
- In his spare time, Kif enjoys floating the Boise River. He has traveled in Eastern and Western Europe and would like to go to China because of its ancient history. In heading off for that adventure, the chances are good he’ll have “Born to be Wild” on his iPod.
Bryan Cheyne
- School- BSU majoring in biology
- He heard about Extra Hands through the pre-med club at BSU
- Bryan does house work for his PALS
- His favorite part about being a volunteer so far is meeting new people and getting to know them.
- Outside of volunteering, Bryan is a concert enthusiast, skier, and loves anything outdoors: kayaking, hiking, climbing…
- If stranded on a deserted island, he’d hope that a Swedish volleyball team with very large vocabularies would be there, too. His alter ego would be an invisible guy who hangs out with Chopin and has “Hey Jealousy” by the Gin Blossoms as his theme song.
Kate McHail
- School- BSU majoring in biology
- She also got involved in Extra Hands through another BSU student was a volunteer in the program.
- When she visits her family she does house hold chores, errands, and sometimes just visits.
- Kate finds the hardest thing about volunteering is knowing how to talk about ALS with PALS.
- After college, Kate would like to go backpacking through Europe before going on to med school.
- Kate thinks if you are going to only have one super power, it should definitely be flying.
July 27, 2007
EXTRA HANDS Internship Opportunity
Extra Hands for ALS, a non-profit organization committed to instilling the importance of community service and developing leadership qualities in young adults by uniting them with people who have ALS and their families, is now accepting applications for a potential part-time intern position in Boise, ID.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: recruiting and training of volunteers from local high schools and colleges for an ongoing service commitment with people who have ALS and their families. The successful applicant will be a self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people. Interest and/or experience in empowering students, adults and people who have ALS through community service is a plus.
The intern positions require the applicant to be enrolled in and pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree and have experience with or a demonstrated appreciation of community service as well as helping young adults develop leadership qualities.
Part-time Interns may qualify for internship credits from their college or university.
For more information on Extra Hands for ALS, please visit www.extrahands.org.
To apply:
Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for three references to:
Jim Presbrey
Extra Hands for ALS
37 Curtis Ave.
Manasquan, NJ 08736
or email to:
jim@extrahands.org
July 27, 2007
Mentors
A mentor is the conduit between the families and students and is a key in making sure the team functions well. We have been very lucky with our mentors. Many have been with us since the inception of the Boise program. Many are in the medical field as PTs, SLPs and RNs. Some have lost loved ones to ALS. All are very committed to our program, but more importantly to their students. Speaking of commitment, we have had mentors do more than what their original responsibilities. Such as Jan Welch helping with presentations, Cynthia Billings taking control of our Fall Fun Run, Daranee Hatch becoming our historian, Anne Kuhlmeier being a part of our library team and many more assisting the program manager with a variety of things.
Volunteer of the month awards given to the following Mentors:
Amy Byrd and Anne Kulmier
What a married couple answered after asked questions regarding mentoring and xh's"
Tom Bellomy
- Tom is a mentor and works as a sixth grade teacher in the Boise School District. He was recently nominated for the Disney Creative Teacher award.
- Tom’s wife, Kendra, found Extra Hands for ALS and told him about knowing he would want to volunteer; his grandmother died of ALS.
- Tom mentors his PALS family and students by keeping in contact with them and visiting the family with his students.
- His favorite part about volunteering is getting to now the other volunteers and PALS in the program.
- Tom, if completely honest, really likes Coco Krispies and thinks it would have been cool to sit down with Bob Marley and chat about politics, life, and the pursuit of happiness.
Kendra Bellomy
- Kendra is finishing up a nursing degree at BSU and works as a Nurse Apprentice at St. Lukes.
- She heard about the program at BSU and signed up with her husband, Tom.
- Kendra is a mentor for Extra Hands and helps her PALS family by doing household chores and providing moral support for both the volunteers and PALS.
- In talking about being an Extra Hands for ALS volunteer she says, “I have been surprised at the student volunteers willingness and compassion to learn more about ALS and how to better help their ALS family.”
- Kendra’s dream vacation would be to travel to Egypt to see the pyramids. If she got stranded somewhere along the way, she would want to have her trusty chapstick by her side.
If you would like to become a mentor go to www.extrahands.org/1_signup to sign up.
July 27, 2007
PALS/Families
ALS is a devastating and time consuming disease. Often the primary caregiver is a spouse or a family member. Because caregiving is so time consuming the chores like vacuuming, outdoor jobs or even taking the dogs for a walk can be burdensome and often go by the wayside. 
Our students can help with those chores, be company for the homebound and/or help with larger projects. Some larger projects that our students have been involved with are painting sheds, cleaning flower beds, sorting storage sheds/garages, washing windows, learning and then teaching software use, trimming bushes and trees, digging flower bulbs and planting fall bulbs in gardens, power washing outside surfaces, etc. 
Our ALS families are all remarkable and loving people. Their contributions to our students are life changing. They teach students courage in the face of death. We truly believe our students, after their experiences with ALS families, will become caring and loving adults, have a better idea of what ALS is all about and will become ALS advocates for life.
So if you want some help from truly remarkable young people, or if you want to change a young person’s life and create an ALS advocate for life, please sign up at www.extrahands.org/1_signupform.asp?user_type_id=1 or contact Joe or Sarah. See contact information at the beginning of our page.
July 27, 2007
Library
During the first of June, at our Bogus Creek Western Event Fundraiser and Live Auction, we raised money for a special need. The special need was an Assistive Technology Library. We raised enough to start a library. We are working hard on selecting items we are going to buy and the process we are going to use for lending those items out. This process will most likely take us into September. We want to buy products that PALS don’t have access to. That’s why we carefully chose the members of the library board: Kristi Pardue, a member of the MDA ALS Clinic, a licensed Speech Therapist and a communication specialist. Anne Kuhlmeier, a licensed Speech Therapist, often works with PALS, runs a communication camp for kids with speech deficits and a communication specialist.
If you would like to donate items or money contact Joe Harris by calling 208-884-8216 or email boise@extrahands.com.
July 27, 2007
Extra Hands Ambassador
We are in the process of naming a new Ambassador
Job Objective
A person with ALS (PALS) will assist the local Program Manager recruiting volunteers and in promoting the Extra Hands for ALS program in the local geographical area.
Job Requirements
The ambassador must have ALS, be able to communicate effectively and commit to a minimum one year effort to build and promote the mission of Extra Hands in the local area.
Job Compensation:
This is an honorary and a volunteer position, no salary or benefits are provided. However, an annual honorarium may be given and expenses will be reimbursed.
Primary Job Responsibilities
- Will present the Extra Hands program to perspective student and mentor volunteers.
- Will recruit ALS families by attending support group meetings and via the internet.
- Will assist the PM with the planning, marketing, and execution of the organization’s plan for fundraising.
Secondary Job Responsibilities
- Updating the database via the internet
- Perform internet searches
- Various other computer related tasks
Qualifications
- Have been diagnosed with ALS
- Participate in the Extra Hands program as a family on a weekly basis
- Support system in place
- Basic computer and internet skills
- Computer access
- Internet access
- Ability to travel within the local area
- Good communication skills (with or without communication device)
July 27, 2007
Historian
We created a historian position in order to document the history of our local program. The following would be the historian's responsibilities in which a lot of delegation would be necessary:
- Arrange for a volunteer to attend each Extra Hand's event, take pictures, and write a short summary of that event.
- Arrange for pictures to be taken of our mentors at mentor meetings and students at get togethers.
- Arrange for mentors to take pictures of their teams (mentor, students, PALS and their families) and a write a brief bio of the team.
- Setup an Extra Hand's scrap booking party once a year. This year's party is September 15th from 2-6pm.
If you want to volunteer for this position please contact Joe or Sarah via email at boise@extrahands.org.
July 27, 2007
Fall Fun Run
Boise Fun Run
Cynthia Billings, a long time mentor, practicing Physical Therapist and an avid athlete, is the event Chairperson. She will be responsible for chosing the event board members, planning the event, publicizing the event and running the event. The run is planned for next fall.
If you are interest in helping Cynthia, contact her via email at cynbillings@yahoo.com.
Event Details
- For a look at what the event is like in St. Louis go to www.alsrun.org.
- What is it? Only the biggest and best costume party ever! The masquerade will begin with a 5K (3.1-mile) race in costume. There will also be a 1K Family Fun Loop for those who want a shorter course. So get out your wackiest, funniest, scariest, craziest outfit because a panel of judges will give out some fantastic prizes.
- Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in the following categories: ages 16-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and up. There will also be a prize for the best adult's, junior's, and team's costumes; and the biggest group costume. For a list of prizes that were used in St Louis’ event go to www.alsrun.org/details.html#Prizes.
- Each Participant will receive a goodie bag (refer to pages 24-25 in the Run manual www.alsrun.org/rfylchairsmanual.pdf) and a t-shirt (refer to www.cafepress.com/cp/moredetails.aspx?showBleed=false&ProductNo=125785532&pr=F for an example of a previous t-shirt used in the St Louis event).
- Revenue comes from corporate sponsorship, race teams, and individual racers.
- For all other information, including logistics, responsibilities, timelines, etc go to www.alsrun.org/rfylchairsmanual.pdf.
- The manual was fairly overwhelming at first but, as I read through it I realized Extra Hands’s had done a great job explaining the event right down to the tiniest detail.
- We don’t want to duplicate items solicited from businesses from western event.
July 27, 2007
Boise Extra Hands's Athletic Club
Hi everyone,
I would like to create an Extra Hand's Athletic Club and invite all of you to join. I got the inspiration from two Extra Hand's volunteers, Cynthia and Danny. Cynthia is currently working hard on creating a fun run for next fall and Danny and his family are raising funds for Extra Hand's via the Extra Hand's Athletic Challenge (XHAC). It's my hope that you athletically gifted people, who enjoy participating in athletic event, will join the Extra Hand's Athletic club and invite your friends to join as well. Currently, we have two ways to earn money athletically for Extra Hand's, the Fall Fun Run and the XHAC. For more information on the Fall Fun Run contact Cynthia Billings at and to learn more about the XHAC go to www.extrahandsforals.org/xhtc.
If you are interested in joining the Extra Hand's team and don't have alot of time to give or your already a member of our team and would like to do more then this might be the opportunity you have been looking for. If you're interested or have question, please contact me at harjoejill@yahoo.com.
Joe
July 27, 2007
Western Event
Connie Stauts has created a very successful fundraising event. The event is our main money maker for the year. But, this event wouldn’t be as successful if it weren’t for the hard work of many people including family members, mentors, students, John Urrutia and his band, the Bogus Creek ranch owner and staff, and many families. Those families include the Wood, the Stauts, the Bradford, and the Wagoner families.
The following is a brief description of this years event:
The Bogus Creek Ranch presenting the 3rd annual Extra Hands for ALS Dinner Auction! Saturday June 9th. 
Please join us in the fight against ALS and enjoy an evening at the Ranch complete with slow Roasted Carved Sirloin and Salmon dinner with live entertainment! Settle down with a beverage of your choice from Wild Bill's Saloon in the frontier town of Coolwater, meander through the silent auction items and make your bid. During dinner, enjoy the action-packed live auction for items including A VACTION IN MAUI!!! All proceeds from the auctions and 20% of your dinner ticket will be donated to Extra Hands for ALS in their fight against this tragic disease.
To come to next year's event contact Joe Harris or Sarah Barsness via email or phone call and we will let you know in advance the date of the event to make reservations. If you would like to donate to the auction, please contact Connie Stauts at 208-861-2127 or email her at stautscon@aol.com. For more information regarding the Bogus Creek Ranch go to www.boguscreek.com.
July 27, 2007
Driving4Life
Extra Hands is proud to announce a new partnership with our friends at the ALS Therapy Development Foundation, Calloway Golf, Golf Digest, and New Balance. The Driving4Life Challenge is a one-day, one-hole, closest-to-the-pin contest. This simple program allows you to have an immediate impact on the lives of ALS patients, their families and friends. For more information go to www.extrahandsforals.org/xhpa/archives/cat_golf_tournaments.
We are in the process of organizing a few contests.
Jill Harris, is a program manager, Physical Therapist and has been with Extra Hands since its Boise inception. She also works full time for SLIERS as a manager of an outpatient clinic. She is an amazing person. She is a mom of a beautiful 7 year-old girl, wife and Joe’s primary caregiver, etc., and she is a member of the Driving4life board. She is responsible for recruitment of volunteers and making sure the events/contests are run smoothly and are successful.
Frank Stauts, who retired from the U.S. Navy as Commnander after an exciting career flying off of carriers, including over 200 missions in the Viet Nam war. His next career was as owner/manager of a steak and seafood restaurant and bar in the Annapolis, Maryland, area. He moved to Idaho in 1989, worked with the Morrison Knudsen Corporation as Vice President of Operations at Western Aircraft. Frank spent his last career at the R. C. Bigelow tea company, where he led tremendous growth in operations as Vice President of Operations of this corporation. 
He currently enjoys retirement on his small farm in Kuna, Idaho, where he remains active in community and church volunteer organizations. He is an avid golfer and a member of the Driving4life board.
Dr Braden Stauts, a practicing dentist and avid golfer is a member of the Driving4life board.
Uncle Joe Harris, a local contracter and builder, who is also an avid golfer and a member of the Driving4life board.
If you are interested in running a contest yourself, please contact Joe or Jill Harris by calling 208-884-8216 or email boise@extrahands.com.
July 27, 2007
Plant the Seeds (PTS)
We will run the campaign as follows:
- Extra Hands is combining scholarship with fundraising. The student who raises the highest amount of donations will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship in the fall.
- This year we will broaden the scope of the Plant the Seeds (PTS) campaign to include a menu of money making awareness projects, during a fixed time period (leaving open the possibility of individual choice). See below for list of projects.
- We will introduce the campaign in training and have students come up two or three ideas for the PTS campaign.
- The PTS campaign will occur during the month of March.
- The student volunteers have two awareness projects that are requirements. The PTS campaign would be a requirement for the student volunteer’s second ALS awareness project.
- We will have a kick off party and give them a PTS information packet. The packet will include a description of the campaign, a list of projects, sample letters asking for sponsorship, etc.
- The program manager will use the “get active” system to keep track of each money making project.
- The program manager will report on each project/campaign to Jim Presbrey, following the end date of the PTS campaign, so he knows who won the scholarship.
- Hold a brainstorming party with students any time following the campaign. This party will be used for what projects should we list, how to improve upon the last PTS campaign, etc. This will give the students ownership of this grass root fundraising campaign.
List of awareness projects:
- Letter writing campaign: Send letters to all the people you know and encourage donations to the fight against ALS.
In your letter, please take the opportunity to explain a little about ALS and Extra Hands in addition to explaining the role you play in the organization and in the life of the family you are associated with. Also, explain all the money raised goes directly into research and to fund the growth of Extra Hands as we expand into new cities to serve more families.
You are encouraged to mail and e-mail your letter to all the people you know. By mailing, your request is much more personal. We suggest you snail-mail at least ten letters. People can be very generous and why not encourage them to be generous to an organization you already believe in? How do you track our money you ask? You have two options; you can collect checks sent by all your generous contributors and submit them to me in an envelope with your name on it, or, strongly encourage your contributors to make their donations on-line at
secure.ga4.org/01/pts_2007 or via an XH remittance envelope. Make sure your name is listed on all return envelopes to help with tracking purposes. Helpful Hints:
- Provide a self-addressed envelope for your contributors to return their donations.
- Personalize your website (pictures of your family, team, project(s) and incorporate your personal experiences from your volunteering.
- Remind them their donations are tax deductible.
- Include a packet of seeds to tie-in with our theme- “Plant the Seeds” (Walgreens sells for 5/$1).
- Set donation levels.
Example: $1 for every hour you have volunteered in 2007.
$16 ($1 for every case of ALS diagnosed per day).
$38 (the age at which Lou Gehrig died of ALS).
$493 (the number of homeruns hit by Lou Gehrig in his career).
-Set a goal for yourself and tell your contributors what your goal is.
Include sample letters.
- Driving4Life Contest: Extra Hands is proud to announce a new partnership with our friends at the ALS Therapy Development Foundation, Calloway Golf, Golf Digest, and New Balance. The Driving4Life Challenge is a one-day, one-hole, closest-to-the-pin contest. This simple program allows you to have an immediate impact on the lives of ALS patients, their families and friends. For more information go to www.extrahandsforals.org/xhpa/archives/cat_golf_tournaments.
- Sell Extra Hands bracelets/wristbands.
- Create Holiday cards to sell to friends and family to benefit Extra Hands.
- Tree planting day and invite others in the community. They can have info on Extra Hands there or get sponsors/donations for the event.
- Skating party.
- Purse party.
- Lunch/dinner fundraiser: contact local restaurants to see about getting a percentage back (usually about 15-20% of proceeds). Invite all their friends, families, create flyers and post, emails, and tell everyone to attend that date to support Extra Hands.
- Battle of the bands.
- Find a Cold Stone Creamery or other ice cream shop and see if they'll give 25% back to Extra Hands for every customer who comes in on a particular day carrying a flyer/ticket. The students could get 100 tickets each and pass around to everyone.
- Student Art Sale (could add crafts)
make bookmarks, saying our mission, etc, personalized with student artwork, etc, and slip into the plastic bookmark holders. Can sell for a buck.
- Garage Sale.
- Bake Sale.
- Dog Wash/Car Wash.
- Students ask their peers for donations.
- Make a video of families and students for school.
- Make up your own fundraiser... Give it Up for ALS.
- Hike for ALS.
- Large dealerships sometimes have “test drives for new cars” and when they do they advertise through their mailing list, newspaper ads, radio, tv etc. Contact dealerships in the area to see if they will be having this type of event. Ask if they will consider donating $xx.xx for every test drive and including Extra Hands in their advertising (charity they will be supporting). The dates of the test drive Extra Hands would also set up a table to hand out information and accept donations. At the very least they might agree to at least a table during their test drive event. Some students may have relatives in the car business that would be more than willing to do this.
Cost: paper/printing the hand outs. Should make a profit. - Something simple that any student could do throughout the year: Set up a table at any of the following (hand out info, sign up volunteers and accept donations):
- Grocery store – usually in front of the store.
- Retail store - ask the store if they would make a donation for every item sold that day. An item would be agreed on prior to the day.
- Mall.
- Any school, college or community event.
- Check community calendars in the local newspapers for upcoming events-
Cost: simple one page handouts and volunteer signup sheet. Should make a small profit.
- Grocery store – usually in front of the store.
- Christmas time: Contact an area mall and set up a coat checking area on week-ends during the holidays. No one likes to lug a coat around while shopping. By having a place to store coats/gloves/hats at the mall will be a welcome service and the mall will be more than willing in an effort to keep people shopping. A donation or an established fee. When they pick up their coats they get a hand out on ALS/Extra Hands.
Cost: Purchase a roll of tickets to claim coats… could create/make their own should make a profit. - Students can ask area bakeries to donate bagels, donuts, and/or other bakery goods or other food items. After getting permission from the school students could sell these items before school. Some students do not get a chance to eat breakfast due to early morning activities such as band practice, etc. This would give students a chance to grab a bite to eat before class.
All students/teachers would receive ALS/Extra Hands info. This could also be done after school. Students could also arrange to sell items during a play and/or concert intermission. All attendees would
Cost:0 all items donated. Should make a small profit. - During Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day, etc. gift wrap purchases at a high traffic. Baby/children’s store; gift boutique; card store; department store and/or mall. The store furnishes the gift wrapping supplies and XH does the labor for donations. A limit should be set on the largest box that would be gift wrapped. This could also be done during a Big Sale at a local mall or store. A rate could be set according to the size of the box to be wrapped (small-med-large) the examples of the sizes would be displayed. Or ask for donations.
- Ask a gift wrapper at a local store if they would volunteer to teach a class on proper gift wrapping techniques for all students participating in this project.
Cost: 0 Should make a profit.
July 27, 2007
Extra Hands Athletic Challenge
Are you a runner, cyclist, swimmer, all three? We invite you to join the Extra Hands Athletic Challenge (XHAC). The XHAC is a group of athletes around the nation who participate in endurance sports events ranging from 5k runs to Ironman triathlons. Members of the XHAC are required to participate in at least one event per year as a sponsored athlete. In return for raising pledges on behalf of Extra Hands, sponsored athletes receive; training regimen provided by online experienced coaches and experts, sugoi TechniFino jersey featuring a 100% microfilament construction with smooth texture, enhanced stretch, and 
superior moisture transfer and dispersal, fleece jackets and training pants embroidered with the Athletic Challenge logo, potential reimbursement of event entry fees, potential reimbursement of transportation and accommodations to the featured event, chance to complete a personal goal and fight ALS at the same time, and your own website to help tell others about your participation in the XHAC and to help raise funds online from friends, family and colleagues.
For more information go to www.extrahandsforals.org/xhtc or if you would like to join Extra Hands Athletic club please contact Joe Harris by calling 208-884-8216 or email me at boise@extrahands.com. We are currently in the process of creating the Boise Chapter Extra Hands Athletic Club.