Run-Walk For Youth

November 5, 2022

Since 1983, the Run-Walk For Youth has been a major day of fun, fellowship, prizes and fundraising for SoCal YFC. Each year 100+ children, youth, and adults collect sponsors for SoCal YFC’s ministry.

THIS YEAR…we hope to double or triple the number who participate…and…to more than double what we normally raise for YFC’s ministry to students.

AFTER TWO YEARS OF VIRTUAL ONLY…

this Year’s Hybrid Run-Walk For Youth event with be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Simm’s Park in Bellflower.

Join us at the…

Live Run-Walk at Simms Park in Bellflower, November 5, 8:30-9:30am, followed by a Celebration at Bellflower Brethren Church with Music, Food, Door Prizes, and Games for kids!

Virtual Run-Walk – Anytime before or on the day of November 5, 2022.

Simms Park address:

16614 Clark Avenue, Bellflower, CA 90706

Bellflower Brethren address:

9405 Flower St, Bellflower, CA 90706

IT IS ALL EASIER & MORE FUN THAN EVER!!!

ALL financial gifts & pledges should be entered online at YFCrun.com no later than 8:30am (PST), November 5, 2022.

Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card during weekly online contests *
Starting on September 25
Be sure to register as a runner walker to get all the updates!

NEW Fundraising Incentives *
Participants Under 18 Years Old *
Raise $100-$199.99 — get $20 VISA gift card
Raise $200-$399.99 — get $40 VISA gift card
Participants 18 Years & Older *
Raise $400-$599.99 — get $50 VISA gift card
Raise $600-$799.99 — get $75 VISA gift card
Raise $800 or more — get $100 VISA gift card

Special Prizes for the Top Eight Individual Fundraisers *

NEW Team Incentives *
Raise $10,000 — get 4 one-day passes to Disneyland & California Adventure
Raise $15,000 — get 6 one-day passes to Disneyland & California Adventure
Raise $20,000 — get 8 one-day passes to Disneyland & California Adventure

(All team members are also eligible for individual fundraiser prizes)

* Incentive Rules:
1. To qualify for all individual and team prizes & incentives, each Runner-Walker must be registered at yfcrun.com
2. All prizes & incentive amounts will be determined based only on pledges & gifts entered in each Runner-Walker’s official website
on yfcrun.com no later than 8:30am (Pacific Daylight Time) on November 5, 2022.

SO…What do I do?

TO START:
• Register by going to yfcrun.com
• Click “PARTICIPATE”
• Follow the instructions & build your own official Run-Walk For Youth web page
• Post on your social media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter…
• Hashtag all your posts: #YFCRunWalk2022

NEXT…you ask friends, co-workers & family to either:
• Go to YFCrun.com & find your name & make a donation or pledge on your website OR…
• Tell you how much they’d like to donate… so you can record their pledge on your Pledge Tracker

THEN you register all verbal pledges and actual gifts given to you on your own personal YFC Run-Walk For Youth web page that was created when you registered online for YFC’s Run-Walk For Youth.

Exciting Online Drawings throughout September & October right up to November 5!
Details will be emailed to you & posted on the YFC Run-Walk Facebook page. Be sure to follow us! Contests based on things like:
• Intermittent Fundraising Targets
• Most posts for the Run-Walk with the hashtag #YFCRunWalk2022
• And more!

AFTER you register at yfcrun.com
You will get a Welcome to YFC’s Run-Walk For Youth email. Also each week, you will receive Run-Walk updates, contest notices, along with other resources.

FINALLY…on the Run-Walk day, you can EITHER join us at Simms Park OR… take an hour to run, walk, roll, or stroll…or…sip a cup of coffee own you own…then…take a selfie of your activity, post it on social media & hashtag
#YFCRunWalk2022.

If you need more information, please contact us HERE!

Click below to:

♦  Register as a Runner-Walker
♦  Donate/Sponsor a Runner-Walker
♦  Download or Print Team Captains’ Guide
♦  Download or Print the EVENT FLYER
♦  Download or Print the SPONSOR TRACKER

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!

What does SoCal YFC do?

Why is YFC’s work important?

How many kids does SoCal YFC reach each year?

What is the Run For Youth?

How can I participate in the Run For Youth?

Who should I approach for a Run For Youth pledge?

How do I get pledges?

What do I say when I ask someone for a pledge?

What do I say when I ask a non-Christian for a pledge?

What kind of prizes and incentives are there for fundraising?

How could I possibly raise $400? Or $800?

How could I use my social media accounts to raise pledges for the Run?

I am not athletic. Do I have to run?

What can I expect on the weekend of the Run-Walk For Youth?

Is the any age limit…can children participate?

What kinds of activities and incentives are there for children to participate in the Run For Youth?

How do I approach a business to sponsor me?

Why would I want to build a team for the Run? How do I do it?

What does SoCal YFC do?

In working with nearly 8,000 different young people each year, SoCal YFC builds four things:

On-campus, student-led Christian clubs
Student Leader training events, such as “Turn Your Campus” and “IGNITE” Teams
Church Youthworker Networks
Specialized programs such as TLC Teen Moms & Dads, Youth Camps, YFC Deaf Teen Quest, etc.

Why is YFC’s work important?

Right now, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young Americans ages 11-24. Far too many kids have no hope. SoCal YFC brings the hope of Jesus Christ to kids through its camps, activities, events and mobilization of Christian young people to befriend and serve their peers for Jesus’ sake.

How many kids does SoCal YFC reach each year?

Last year, SoCal YFC worked with over 8,000 kids, training over 2,100 student leaders from 562 different schools to make a positive difference on their campus and in the lives of their friends.

What is the Run-Walk For Youth?

The Run-Walk For Youth is an annual fundraiser for SoCal YFC.

This year’s Run-Walk is a hybrid event that will take place at any time and place of your choosing on or before November 5.

Beforehand, you ask friends, co-workers & family to give a donation or make a pledge to YFC’s ministry. Then…on or before November 5, 2002, you can take an hour to run, walk, roll, or stroll…or…sip a cup of
coffee…then…take a selfie of your activity, post it on social media & hashtag #YFCRunWalk2022.

Each year, the Run-Walk For Youth raises approximately 10% of SoCal YFC’s annual budget. The funds primarily support YFC’s camping, campus club, and young leader training programs.

How can I participate in the Run For Youth?

NEXT…start getting pledges & gifts by asking friends, co-workers & family to give a donation or make a
pledge to YFC’s ministry.

THEN you register all verbal pledges and gifts given to you on your own personal YFC Run-Walk For
Youth web page that was created when you registered for YFC’s Run-Walk For Youth.

Who should I approach for a Run-Walk For Youth pledge?

• Family and friends are the best bet to begin with.

• Then, go to co-workers, peers at school, and people in your neighborhood.

• Businesses also make great sponsors!

• Use the phone a lot…write down the pledges you get on the pledge tracker (click here to download)

• Some people use email and/or send actual letters by the USPS to friends & family & then follow up with a personal phone call.

How do I get pledges?

• Make sure you are registered as a Runner-Walker at yfcrun.com

• Tell your friends & family that you’re participating in the SoCal YFC’s Run-Walk For Youth on November 5 and ask if they would sponsor you. See the section below, “What do I say when I ask someone for a pledge?”

• If they say yes, take all of their information down. Use your Pledge Tracker Form to keep track of what they pledge.

• As soon as you can…go to your Official Run-Walk For Youth page and enter their information along with their pledge.

• Save your Pledge Tracker Forms for your personal back up.

• ALSO…If you register online at yfcrun.com your sponsors can make gifts or pledges online. It’s easy to personalize your Run-Walk For Youth fundraising page. Tell your sponsors to go to yfcrun.com, click on “Donate” and click on your name.

• Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. are great ways to tell your friends you’re raising funds for SoCal YFC. Share your “Fundraiser Page Link” from your newly created runner profile at yfcrun.com in the “SPREAD THE WORD” section on your social media post so they can donate online.

What do I say when I ask someone for a pledge?

Try something like this:

“I’m raising money for SoCal YFC by participating in this year’s Run-Walk For Youth. My goal is to raise $_____ for this charity. SoCal YFC is a Christian non-profit that is focused on working with kids age 11-19. SoCal YFC builds:

1) Student-led on campus Bible clubs;
2) Church Youthworker Networks;
3) Student Leader training events; and
4) Specially focused programs such as TLC Teen Moms & Dads and YFC Deaf Teen Quest.

Can you help us with a pledge of $40 or more?”

ONE thought: most people will not pledge more than you ask them to give.
• So, if you think they are especially generous ask for more than you might ask other persons to give.
• If you ask for WAY too much, they might not give at all.
• The average donation that people have made over the years is $42.00

What do I say when I ask a non-Christian for a pledge?

Try something like this:

“I’m raising money for SoCal YFC by participating in this year’s Run-Walk For Youth. My goal is to raise $_____ for this charity. SoCal YFC is a faith-based non-profit that is focused on working with kids age 11-19. SoCal YFC builds:

1) Student-led on campus Bible clubs;
2) Church Youthworker Networks;
3) Student Leader training events; and
4) Specially focused programs such as TLC Teen Moms & Dads and YFC Deaf Teen Quest.

Can you help us with a pledge of $40 or more?”

What kind of prizes and incentives are there for fundraising?

PRIZES FOR Weekly online contests *
Starting on September 25
Be sure to register as a runner walker to get all the updates!

Special Prizes for the Top 5 Individual Fundraisers *

* Incentive Rules:
1. To qualify for all individual and team prizes & incentives, each Runner-Walker must be registered at yfcrun.com
2. All prizes & incentive amounts will be determined based only on pledges & gifts entered in each Runner-Walker’s official website on yfcrun.com no later than 8:30am (Pacific Daylight Time) on November 5, 2022.

How could I possibly raise $400? Or $800?

First of all, PRAY. Then, make a list of people to ask. After that, it’s simple math. For example:

• If you can get 16 people to pledge $25 each, you can raise $400 (and earn a $50 gift card)

• If you get 16 people to pledge $50 or more each, you can raise $800 (and earn a $100 gift card)

How could I use my social media accounts to raise pledges for the Run?

Register and build your own “Run For Youth” webpage on the yfcrun.com website. It’s very easy to do and takes very little time. From that page, you can post to your Facebook feed, etc. You can also copy the link on Facebook or Instagram, etc. This is an easy way to reach out to many people at once and ask them to sponsor you.

• Personal conversation is ALWAYS the best way to get a pledge…BUT…a regular social media announcement on your social media accounts always helps

I am not athletic. Do I have to run?

Nope. In fact, only about 25% of each year’s Run-Walk For Youth participants actually run. Most walk. It’s much easier to carry on conversations that way. In fact, you can choose ANY activity on or before October 8 to fulfill your Run-Walk For Youth “obligation.” You have already done the hardest part…you have raised the pledges.

What can I expect on the day of the Run-Walk For Youth?

Day-of Registration for this Year’s HYBRID Run-Walk For Youth will be start at 7:45am at Bellflower Brethren Church (9405 Flower St, Bellflower, CA 9070)

The Run-Walk For Youth begins promptly at 8:30am at Simm’s Park (100 yards from Bellflower Brethren Church).

Celebration with food, door prizes & fun for kids of all ages at 9:30am back at Bellflower Brethren Church.

IT IS ALL EASIER & MORE FUN THAN EVER!!!

REMEMBER:
ALL Gifts & pledges should be entered online at YFCrun.com no later than 8:30am (Pacific Daylight Time), November 5, 2022.

Is there any age limit…can children participate?

Of course . . . the more the merrier!

Our youngest participant ever was 8 days old!

What kinds of activities and incentives are there for children to participate in the Run-Walk For Youth?

Just like adults, children can earn Gift Cards for raising pledges. In fact, they qualify for Gift Cards sooner than adults do! See the section, What kind of prizes and incentives are there?

The Kid’s Zone Children’s Carnival at Bellflower Brethren Church will start at 9:30am. There will be glitter tattoos, face painting, balloon animals & more. We hope to see you in person there!

How do I approach a business to sponsor me?

Even though this has been a very tough year for businesses, Christian business owners can make great sponsors! They often are looking for ways they can make tax-deductible donations to charities. Businesses may sponsor you for any amount, but be sure to tell them that, for a pledge of $100 or more, they will receive the following:

• There are no “real estate-sized” signs this year. BUT…we will put them on our website.
• We will send out their business name over emails.

Ask to speak to the manager or owner. If you want, you may ask the YFC office for a fundraising letter or email that you can send to the manager/owner which asks for a $100 or greater pledge, and explain the benefits. Obviously, the better you know the business owner, the better your chances of a positive response.

Call the YFC Office at 562-429-1782 or email us at mail@socalyfc.org

Why would I want to build a team for the Run-Walk? How do I do it?

• Walking or running with friends is always more fun!!!
• Building a team expands the circle of potential donors and helps the Run-Walk For Youth reach its fundraising goal.
• There are GREAT team incentives this year.
• HOW do I create a team?

1. Go to yfcrun.com
2. Click “PARTICIPATE”
3. In the registration process, it will ask you if you are “on a team” or want to create one
4. Click “CREATE A TEAM”
5. Follow directions on the screen
6. As your team members register, make sure they know your TEAM NAME & choose it from the drop down menu.