We ask each golfer to encourage family, friends and co-workers to partner by contributing financial support. Each golfer’s goal is to raise $2,500 by collecting pledges. Although not an easy task, it is one that can be achieved with some hard work and passion for this important cause.

 

Here’s one approach to reach your goal: Recruit...

 

 

A few days after you register for the event, UMPS CARE Charities will set up your personal Web page. Your personal Web page allows friends, family members, and business contacts to make credit-card donations in support of your effort. You will be notified by E-mail when your page is ready.

 

Click the Sponsor a Golfer tab above to see what your personal page will look like.

 

Personal Fundraising Page Features:

 

Friends,

In 2008, a few umpires decided to raise money and participate in our first-ever UMPS CARE Charities Golf Marathon.  To be honest, we didn’t know how the fundraising would go and we didn’t know what the event would be like as none of us had ever participated in a golf marathon.

Shortly after the event I wrote the following as part of an E-mail to all participating umpires:

“What a great day yesterday was. Thank you everyone! We all should be proud of the effort made to make the marathon a complete success. I don’t think any of us envisioned how much fun the day would be and how successful the fund raising efforts were - Great job! The venue was perfect, the swings were sometimes perfect, but the camaraderie was off the charts.”

The old adage—you never know what you can do until you try–is very true.  Each umpire was asked to raise $2,500 in pledges from family, friends, fellow umpires, and business contacts.  The amount seemed daunting at first but I was amazed at how easy it was to reach and surpass the goal.  

In six weeks I raised more than $7,500. I did so with a combination of online fundraising tools, persistence in making “the ask”, and a cause that everyone can get excited about.  My personal online fundraising page was set up to accept credit card donations.  This made it easy for people to support me without having to spend too much time and effort in doing so.   I made it a point to donate myself and ask all of my contacts to lend support if they were in a position to do so.  Follow-up was key because everyone was so busy.  Finally, I found that people loved the cause and they saw that it is one that I am excited to play a first-hand role in.  

And then there was the golf….it was so much fun to meet up with my fellow umpires and spend the day together on the course.  As I stated last year, “the camaraderie was off the charts.”  Throughout the day I had an opportunity to play a few holes with everyone in a relaxed atmosphere.  The executive course was simply perfect for 100 holes.  The food and drinks were great.  We even created foursomes for a friendly competition over the final 18 holes.   

I’m confident that The 2nd Annual UMPS CARE Charities Golf Marathon will be every bit as successful from a fundraising standpoint and personal golf experience.   I encourage MLB and MiLB Umpires alike to sign-up early, raise money for this great cause, and then travel to Mesa for a fun-filled event.   Don’t let the fundraising goal stop you.  Indeed you never know until you try.  When you do, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the level of support people show.

See you on the course after the season!

Sincerely,
Gary Darling
President of UMPS CARE Charities