Author: Dathan Bennett

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Walkathon 2024

Mistral PTA Walkathon

Friday, November 8, 2024, 2:45-6pm

The Mistral PTA Walkathon is our community’s biggest fundraising event of the year! All proceeds go directly towards funding student field trips, school library books, classroom supplies, campus beautification projects, and other classroom enrichment programs.

In the weeks leading up to the Walkathon, students are encouraged to raise funds by collecting pledges from friends and family for walking laps around the school field. On November 8, we will cheer on our students, celebrate our community, and raise funds for our school!

How to Participate:

Before the Event:

  1. Fill out the permission form. An adult must supervise all students during the event.
  2. Sign up for a volunteer shift on Konstella. Parent volunteers are essential to making the day a success!
  3. Start asking friends and family for donations. Students can create a fundraising page on 99pledges, use the attached paper pledge sheet, or do both.

During the Event:

  1. Cheer on your child and their classmates in their colorful Walkathon t-shirts, which will be distributed on the morning of the event.  Make sure they wear comfortable shoes. Water will be provided along the course.
  2. Purchase food, drink, baked goods, and Mistral Spirit Wear.
  3. Volunteer alongside other Mistral parents and families.
  4. Celebrate our community and have fun!

After the Event:

  1. Be sure to turn in your pledge forms and any donations by December 3 to be eligible for prizes.
  2. Enjoy the amazing school programming and resources your fundraising supports!

Prize Categories:

  • Student from each grade who raises the most pledges will receive a top donor pin from Ms. O and a book or ice cream store gift card.
  • Top 3 classes with the highest % of volunteers will receive an ice cream social.
  • Top 3 classes that raise the most pledges will receive a class party of their choice pizza or doughnuts and 20 minutes of extra recess the following Friday.

99 Pledges:

99Pledges is our online pledge system that allows students to collect donations through custom web pages. Here’s how it works:

  1. Go to 99Pledges.
  2. Enter your child’s information and create a personal fundraising page.
  3. Share this custom page with friends and family via email, text, or social media.

Donors can visit the student’s unique web page and make a pledge using a credit card or PayPal. Donation pages are private and only accessible to those who receive the link. Parents and students can track their fundraising progress and send thank-you emails directly from the site.

Walkathon Pledge Sheet:

Students will also receive hard-copy pledge sheets in their Walkathon packets. Collected cash and check donations can be turned in to the Mistral office, and extra forms are available if needed.

Why Your Participation Matters

Students are encouraged to gather pledges from friends, family, and neighbors to support the laps they’ll walk during the event. It’s a great way for students to stay active while supporting their school, and exciting prizes will be awarded to the top fundraising students and classes!

FAQs About 99Pledges

  • Do sponsors need to leave a tip when donating online?
    No. When donating, please choose “Other” and manually enter $0 to avoid adding a tip.
  • How do I find my child’s fundraising page link?
    You’ll receive an email with your child’s link. Alternatively, copy the link from the address bar or social media icons after creating the page.
  • Do donors need to create an account?
    No. Donors can contribute without logging in, making it quick and hassle-free!
  • When will credit cards be charged?
    Donations are processed immediately, and Mistral will receive the funds within three days.

Walkathon FAQs:

  • What is the Walkathon? This exciting and fun event is designed to bring our community together and raise money for the Mistral PTA! Students walk laps around the field, earning lap markings and prizes after reaching certain benchmarks. Students raise money by finding sponsors for each lap they complete. 
  • Who participates? Every student at Mistral is encouraged to participate! They must have a signed permission form to participate and be supervised by an adult during the event.
  • How long is the event? It begins at 2:45 pm on the blacktop. Students will start walking after a few short announcements and walking will end at 6:00 pm.
  • Do parents or guardians need to be there?  Yes. As the event is after school, all students in every grade must have a parent or supervisor present. 
  • My child usually attends after school care. Can they still participate? YMCA and Right at School programs will be running. Parents can pick up their children from those programs and drop them off again if needed. You will receive more information directly from those programs.
  • Does my child need to walk the whole time? No. They can take a break with you if they’re tired or hungry, then get back on the course until you’re ready to go home! Walking the entire time is optional. The maximum number of laps to mark off on their t-shirts is 50, a challenge many kids enjoy.
  • What should my child wear? Comfortable shoes with socks and a hat is recommended. Every child will get a new Mistral Walkathon t-shirt the day of the event. Students will get their laps marked on the back of their new shirts at the Lap Marking Station every time they complete a loop. These t-shirts can be worn throughout the year on field trips, school spirit days, or anytime they feel like it! 
  • How will students stay hydrated? Water will be provided along the course.
  • Will there be food? Yes! Food and snacks will be available for purchase.
  • How do I pay for food and other items at the event?: Please bring both cash and a credit card! The PTA bake sale and food stand require tickets, which can be purchased in advance at the ticket booth with cash or credit card. Food vendors will sell food directly, remitting a portion to the PTA.
  • Do I have to collect pledges? The Mistral PTA must raise $300 per student to fully fund our budget for the year. The Walkathon is a great opportunity to ask friends and family to donate. If you prefer to donate directly to the PTA, you can do so here.
  • Where does the money go? The funds raised during the Walkathon support the Mistral PTA, which pays for field trips, after-school classes, library books, classroom supplies, and so much more!
  • Is my donation tax deductible? Yes, the Mistral PTA is a non-profit; our tax ID is 770-441935. You can email mistral.treasurer@gmail.com to request a receipt. Double your impact by submitting for corporate matching!
  • Can I volunteer the day of the event? YES! We need your help! This event is organized entirely by parent volunteers. We appreciate you signing up in advance.