MARKETING & FUNDRAISING – SARAH CHAMBERLIN
By Sarah Chamberlin
As we start to shake off the last few signs of winter and welcome the sunshine back into our lives, I’m thrilled to share that the annual CAMH Sunrise Challenge is back for its third consecutive year!
From May 29th to June 2nd, 2023, The Sunrise Challenge invites Canadians to wake up with the sun for five days while raising money to support the groundbreaking mental health research happening at CAMH. Every dollar raised accelerates the pace of discovery, transforms patient care, and supports the most urgent hospital needs. It’s a fun and simple way to support the work we’re doing to find new solutions to the most complex issues in mental health. Anyone can participate in the challenge individually, or as a team, and by rising together and inspiring our friends, family and co-workers to get behind the cause, we can change mental health forever.
This challenge is unique in that while it has the power to unite a community, much like other fun challenges, it goes so much farther than just five days of waking up early for yourself and your community. The funds raised through this challenge have a long-lasting impact on countless of lives that look to CAMH for support and life-saving treatment year-round. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the summer every year than with reminding yourself and those around you of the importance of being mindful of your mental health, all while making a difference in the lives of those that need it the most.
Canadians from coast-to-coast will take the time to do one thing that benefits their mental health each morning. My favourite part of the challenge is seeing the ways that different people take care of their mental health, as it is the most personal aspect of the challenge and not necessarily something we share with one another regularly. For me, this involves making sure I get outside for a walk and finding a morning moment to practice mindfulness. At its core, the Sunrise Challenge reminds us of the importance of taking a few moments every day to allow ourselves to give our mental health the attention it needs, while normalizing the ritual in our day-to-day lives. It has slowly built up a community of individuals that are rallying every year for each other and mental health as a whole.
To keep the community connected, we encourage all of our participants to share their Sunrise Moment using the hashtag #CAMHSunriseChallenge. Your Sunrise Moment can be a picture of the sunrise, an inspiring quote or mantra, a healthy breakfast, or anything else that shows you completed the challenge that day by waking up early and taking care of your mental health.
COURTESY CAMH FOUNDATION
If you want to get involved but you’re not sure where to start, here are some tips to get you motivated:
1. Register and customize your page | After you register yourself or your team, it’s time to customize the page you’ll direct your donations to. Add some personal flair with a photo and your reason for getting involved. We all have a reason to join this community. We all know someone that is affected—a friend, a colleague or a family member, perhaps even ourselves now or at some point in our lives. Use that motivation to inspire others to support you. (Register here: https://give.camh.ca/site/TRR/Events/SunriseChallenge/1576026438?pg=tfind&fr_id=1220 )
2. Invite friends to join you on the journey | Whether they join your team or register as individuals, getting other people involved makes the challenge that much more fun! Kick the excitement off with a team party – whether virtual or in person – and come up with a catchy team name to stand by together!
3. Hot fundraising tip: Be genuine | When you’re asking your friends and family for their support, be sure to express why this cause is so important to you and why they should support you in your fundraising efforts. You can check out our templates and resources to get started—but be sure to add your own personality, your supporters want to hear from you!
4.Save the dates! | Registered participants will receive emails with key dates to look forward to and reminders about Sunrise Challenge week. On Wednesday, May 3rd, you can join us for the We Rise Together Rally to virtually to kick off Sunrise Challenge week and on Thursday, May 4th, it’s Match Day! All donations to the Sunrise Challenge will be matched to help you be even more successful on your fundraising journey.
Since its inauguration, the Sunrise Challenge has rallied over 7,000 participants and raised more than $3.7 million in support of CAMH. This year, we hope to see even more Canadians rise together for mental health to show everyone living with mental illness that they have the support of an incredible community. I urge you to join me in rising with the sun for mental health research and building a world where no one is left behind.
Sarah Chamberlin is Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Community Giving and Engagement at CAMH Foundation. The Foundation supports the philanthropic efforts of CAMH, Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital and a world leader in mental health research, treatment, and advocacy. Please visit CAMH.ca to read more about the important work CAMH is doing with the help of our communities or email Sarah at sarah.chamberlin@camh.ca. She writes this column exclusively for each issue of Foundation Magazine.
Related Posts
