Metro Detroit Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis

Hey, Metro-Detroiters!! We want YOU to Take Steps to Find a Cure!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 22, 2013! Take Steps Metro Detroit will be at Meininger Park in Downtown Royal Oak again this year! We had such a great response from our teams and the city of Royal Oak and we're planning some super fun things for 2013!

Register your team today or sign up as an individual. Let's make your team the best possible this year, by developing a customized plan for fundraising. Call Heather Jaqua at the CCFA Michigan Chapter today to schedule an appointment.

Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis is CCFA's largest fundraising event and the nation's only walk dedicated to finding a cure for digestive diseases. Participants raise funds throughout the year to find a cure and come together to celebrate the steps taken when no American has to suffer with digestive diseases and Crohn's or colitis. A cure is within our reach yet we need you.

With your support we are committed to transforming the lives of those impacted by these diseases to one of a brighter future based on well-funded, cutting-edge scientific research. Make the decision now to join us and raise funds toward a future free from Crohn's and colitis.

There are NO REGISTRATION FEES for participants. There is, however, an expectation for registered orange band participants 12 years and older to make a self donation and/or fundraise. Some participants will raise well over $1,000 while others raise just $100. There is no minimum or maximum, but in order to recieve a wristband when you check-in at the registration tent, you need to have at least $25 in donations under your name. The volunteers at check-in will have a print-out of registrants and their fundraising status. If you are planning to hand in money that day that is fine too, you will still be eligible for a wristband. (Participants are encouraged to hand in money prior to the Walk day but donations will be accepted on-site.)

All members of a team must have money under their name/in their "account," it cannot be entirely under the team captain.

TEAM and INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING

Ready to start fundraising? Let’s talk about it! Need inspiration? Check out these fundraising ideas you can coordinate for your team. Be sure to keep CCFA staff posted if you are planning a fundraiser, because we do have ideas, support materials you can use and can help you promote it! Please meet with your Take Steps Manager to discuss ideas and make the most out of your efforts! Schedule an appointment today! Call Heather at 248-737-0900 x6.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who are checks payable to? Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America or CCFA.
I have a bunch of money collected. Where should I send that? Please send checks made payable to CCFA to our Michigan Chapter office with a note that indicates who we should credit the donation to. Send to: CCFA Michigan Chapter - 25882 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 102 - Farmington Hills, MI 48336.
How do my donors get receipts? A few ways. If they give you cash or check, you can issue a receipt that is provided in the "Walker Kit" that we mail to you. If they make an onilne donation, they are automatically emailed a receipt. (The participant is also notified when a donation is made online, on their behalf.)
How long is the Walk? It's a three-mile, non-competitive route with two short cuts within that three mile loop. Visit the Event Details page on the Take Steps Website to view a map of the route.
Where is Meininger Park? Meininger Park is located at 600 Maxwell in Royal Oak, MI. Nestled nicely in a residential area, Meininger Park is on the corners of Maxwell & Farnum, South of Catalpa, West of Washington, in Royal Oak, Michigan. Visit the Event Details page for a map.
Where should we park? You may park on any of the streets near Meininger Park or at Royal Oak Middle School. Please carpool when possible and watch for city parking signs!
Is it okay to bring my dog to the Walk? YES! Please make sure your doggy is leashed and cleaned up after :)
If my friend doesn't want to walk the route, is that okay? Of course! They can simply hang back at Meininger Park with us while you're on the route. Walkers are only gone about 45 minutes if they go the entire three miles. They'll be fine with us back at Meininger Park!
Does everyone on my team get a Take Steps T-shirt? Anyone who raises $100 for CCFA will receive a T-shirt. The Team Captain will distribute the shirts to their team.
Can we make our own team t-shirts? YES! And signs, too! Many teams will incorporate a team theme and rock the walk with some flare... Even if you have your own shirts, anyone who raises $100 for CCFA will get a Take Steps shirt.
My friend called the morning of the Walk and she isn't registered. Can she still attend Take Steps? YES! We will register her for the event.
Toilets - are there enough toilets? We thought of your needs and there are plenty of potty stops along the route. Between businesses in Royal Oak who are supporting this event and strategically placed porta-potties, we gotcha covered!!
Why is it important to register everyone on my team? So we can plan to feed everyone!!! We will not have enough food, water and fun if we don't know how many are going to attend! Please register everyone on your team today!

IMPORTANT DATES AND UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE AREA

May 23rd All Day - Ruby Tuesday's Event - Stop by the Chesterfield, Novi or Taylor Ruby Tuesday locations and 20% of your total will benefit CCFA! Look on our Facebook Page for more info and the flyer to bring in.

Team Fundraisers - Many of our Take Steps Teams are hosting fundraisers in the upcoming weeks to raise funds for their team. To see them all, please visit us on Facebook and see the "EVENTS" page. If you'd like us to promote YOUR fundraiser, please email Heather.

Bank Days - We'll be hosting "Bank Days" at the office and in the community the week before the Walk. You can "pre-check-in" your team and collect earned incentiveslike Take Steps T-shirts, wristbands, hats, etc. Standby for more info soon!

Volunteers for Set Up and Walk Day! Help us at Meininger Park in Royal Oak. We're in great need of volunteers. To learn more and sign up, please complete and send in this form.

It's never too soon to start planning a fundraiser for your team. CLICK HERE for just a few ideas to get inspriation and call Heather to get going! To learn about fabulous prizes CCFA offers, including the commemorative Take Steps T-shirts, CLICK HERE! The FUNDRAISING possibilities only end when your imagination does!! Call Heather today to start planning and we'll help promote your event on our Facebook pages. Let's DO THIS!!!

We're currently recruiting volunteers. For more info and to submit a form, please CLICK HERE!

	We're proud to announce that CBS / CW50 will be supporting this year's Walk with on-air promos and more. Keep tuned to CW50 and watch for the promotions soon! You never know.... You may even find a photo of your team on TV!
	This year's event emcee is Dr. Don from WYCD Young Country! Dr. Don hosts the "Dr. Don Morning Show with Rachael & Grunwald" and is not only an avid supporter of CCFA, but he's also served by the Foundation, as he has Crohn's Disease. To learn more about Dr. Don, including his recent induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame,check out their webpage.

NEW THIS YEAR Take Steps Team Awards!

Behold.... The GOLDEN COLON AWARDS!

Titles will be earned and awards will be given.... and bragging rights shall be won! Here are the categories of awards we'll be presenting on Walk day!

1st and 2nd Place - Corporate Team
1st and 2nd Place – Friends and Family Team
1st and 2nd Place – Camp Oasis Team
1st and 2nd Place - Individual Fundraiser (Not associated with a team)
Top Hospital Team
Top GI Team (Not associated with a hospital.)
Honored Hero

NOTE: ALL FUNDS MUST BE RECEIVED AND ACCOUNTED FOR NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JUNE 14TH!

(Sorry, funds received after this deadline can't be included in the total for the Golden Colon Award Program.)

We'll have a Kid's Corral with tons of activities for the little ones. We'll be having a Swag and Raffle Tent again this year! Be sure to tell everyone to bring along some cash, checks or plastic to participate! If you have a raffle item you can contribute, please contact Heather! We'd love to feature your business in the raffle tent!

We're also proud to announce that Dave Santia and "The Art of Rock and Roll" will be at the Walk with his one of a kind art pieces! Dave will perform on stage and we'll auction off his pieces at the Walk. Credit cards welcome - Check out Dave on Facebook!

AND BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!!!! THE CENTRO CONSTRUCTION PHOTO BOOTH!

Get the team together, put on a silly hat and take home a strip of photos of your team!