Our annual Ride-A-Thon will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2012.
Dear Riders, Parents, & Volunteers,
Once again our major fundraiser of the year is here, and we are hoping for another great event. Last year, over $38,000 was raised to help defray the cost of classes for our students. There are a few things we need from you to help us keep everything straight in the office:
First of all, when you receive pledges, please keep them separate from your 50/50 tickets.
Each folder has 2 envelopes, and we need you to put your name on these before turning them in to the office. You may turn in money each week as you go, and we will return your envelopes to you each time you turn it in. You may also bring in your pledges on Saturday, October 13th.
We need for you to please get the names and addresses for any pledge you get so that we can send them a receipt and a thank you card. For any pledge under $50, we ask that you give them a receipt and thank them. If a donor requests a receipt immediately, go ahead and give them one - there are plenty of receipts in the office.
Every year we have a 50/50 drawing. Tickets are available from the office -- unless you are a rider, in which case there will be some in your packet. Tickets sell for $1 each, or 6 for $5. Three winners will share the proceeds with The Program. (ETP gets 50% of the total proceeds; first prize will receive 30%, second prize 15%, and third prize 5% of the other 50%.)
Once again this year, we are going to have a program to hand out to everyone who comes to the Ride-A-Thon. We are selling advertising space for this. If you want to sponsor an ad, the costs are: a full page ad for $100, a half-page ad for $50, a quarter-page ad for $25, and a business card-sized ad for $15. All ads must be in to the office by September 24rd - they have to be at the printer on that day!
Vote for your favorite horse!! Ask for pledges for one of the horses who work so hard for us. The horse who receives the most money in pledges is voted Horse of the Year. If you are a rider, get a picture of your horse from the office so you can show the picture when you ask for a donation. It is best to get a flat donation ($5, $10, etc.) and collect the money at that time to save a return trip. You can also save your own change each week to vote for your favorite steed.
We are looking for unique and desired items for the tent sale and benefit auctions - for example, gift baskets, sports memorabilia, "horsey" things and other items of value. PLEASE NOTE - THIS YEAR THERE WILL NOT BE A SILENT AUCTION. IT WILL BE A TENT SALE! Make sure we get the name and address of those who donate, and please have those items at the farm by September 24th.
Now for the fun stuff! We are once again going to award prizes. You do not have to ride in the Ride-A-Thon to be eligible for these. Prizes will be awarded to both the adult rider and the youth rider who bring in the most money in pledges and 50/50 tickets. The adult rider will receive a beautiful ET windbreaker, and the youth rider will win a stuffed animal. The volunteer who brings in the most money in pledges and 50/50 money will receive a lovely ETP windshirt.
We hope that all of this is clear to you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. If you would like a picture taken to add to your letter, please let us know and we will make sure that happens. We are so excited about this Ride-A-Thon, and with your energy and enthusiasm, we know that it can be the best one yet.
Thank You for your all your help - we do greatly appreciate it!
