FAQ - DSACO

Frequently Asked Questions

Fundraising

How do the funds raised at the Columbus Buddy Walk support the mission of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio?
Our participants continue to tell us they want to ensure that as many dollars as possible raised through the Columbus Buddy Walk go directly to provide critically needed family support and services. We have listened and we agree. Walkers and donors will know that more of their pledges are having a direct impact on our mission.

For example

$100 will fund two New Parent Packets for parents who have a newly-diagnosed baby with Down syndrome.
$200 will fund a full recreational scholarship to enable a person with Down syndrome to participate in health and fitness activities to improve their quality of life.
$250 will enable a self-advocate to attend our Adult Mini-Conference.
$300 will fund a workshop for parents on a topic such as IEPs or potty training.
$500 will fund materials, babysitting and refreshments for a DSACO support group for one year.
$1,000 will fund a presentation to health care providers on diagnosis delivery through our Changing Lives program.

Donations

Who should Columbus Buddy Walk checks be made payable to?
For tax purposes, please make checks payable to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio or DSACO. Checks should not be written to Buddy Walk teams, team captains or individual participants.

Do I have to send in my donations? Can I bring them with me to the walk?
While you can always bring your donations to the walk, it is preferable that you mail them in as soon as you can to:

Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio
INSERT BUDDY WALK TEAM NAME
510 East North Broadway
Columbus, OH 43214

Please ask them to submit the corresponding donation forms with their checks so your team will be properly credited for your fundraising efforts. If this is not possible, please ask them to indicate which walk team they are supporting and your name on the memo section of the check.

Can I continue to collect donations after the walk? Where do I send the checks?
Absolutely! Please mail donations by December 31, 2011 to:

Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio
INSERT BUDDY WALK TEAM NAME
510 East North Broadway
Columbus, OH 43214

Will the money turned in at the walk show up on my webpage and my donation report?
Absolutely. If the corresponding donation forms were completed and submitted along with your donations at the walk, then you should see your fundraising efforts reflected on your team webpage and donation report by October 20, 2011.

I turned in a packet at the walk and do not see all the checks processed yet?
All donations to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio will be deposited, processed and posted to your webpage by October 20, 2011. If a month or more has passed and you still do not see your donations on your team webpage, please contact DSACO at info@dsaco.net

How long will it take before the checks I mailed show up on my page?
Please allow four weeks for your donations to be deposited, processed and posted to your team webpage.

Where do I get donation forms?
Donation forms can be printed from each participant's individual webpage. The link (make a donation offline) is just under your goals.

Can I enter donations received via check to my webpage?
There is no way to enter these yourself. Please send all donations directly to:

Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio
INSERT BUDDY WALK TEAM NAME
510 East North Broadway
Columbus, OH 43214

Please submit the corresponding donation forms with checks so you will be credited for your fundraising efforts. Once processed, the donation will show on your team webpage.

Are donations tax deductible?
Your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the law.
The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Our tax ID number is 31-1126185.

Who should checks be made payable to?
Please ask your supporters to make checks payable to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio or DSACO.

How will my donation to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio appear on my credit card statement?
Depending on the credit card, it might be listed as Down Syndrome Ass.; Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio; Down Syndrome Central Columbus; or Authorize.net.

Are there any additional fees in addition to the donation amount?
There are no transaction fees incurred by the donor. If you want to donate $100.00 you will be charged $100.00.

Incentives/Fundraising Rewards

How do I qualify for t-shirt customization?
Each team that raises $1,500 or more by August 28, 2011 will qualify for free customization of team t-shirts which will be mailed to team captains by September 11, 2011.

What is the deadline for team incentive prizes?
The fundraising deadline for team incentives is September 4, 2011.

How do I qualify for additional incentives?
The more funds you raise by September 4, 2011 the more incentives your team will earn. The t-shirt customization deadline is August 28, 2011.

Raise $7,500 or More

VIP tailgate spot adjacent to entrance
Tent
Tables & chairs set-up
Donated food for the entire team
Banner bearing team name
Balloon bouquets
Visit by Crew Cat
Family fun kit
Commemorative poster featuring your team member(s) with Down syndrome
Free customization and delivery of team shirts to team captains

Raise $5,000-$7,499

Reserved tailgate spot
Tables and chairs set-up
Balloon bouquets
Visit by Crew Cat
Family fun kit
Commemorative poster featuring your team member(s) with Down syndrome
Free customization and delivery of team shirts to team captains

Raise $3,000-$4,999

Reserved tailgate spot
2 tables set-up
Family fun kit
Commemorative poster featuring your team member(s) with Down syndrome
Free customization and delivery of team shirts to team captains

Raise $1,500-$3,000

Free customization and delivery of team shirts to team captains

Matching Gifts

I think my company matches. How do I get this started?
Every company handles its own matching gift program differently. Please contact your company's Human Resources department for instructions on how to double your fundraising efforts through matching gifts.

Where do I send my matching gift form?
You can send your matching gift form to:

Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio
INSERT BUDDY WALK TEAM NAME
510 East North Broadway
Columbus, OH 43214

I submitted a form for matching gifts but do not see the donation on my page. Where is it?
The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio cannot post a matching gift until the corporation involved approves it. Unfortunately, corporations match gifts on a different timetable during the year. If you have questions regarding your matching gift, please contact your company to see if the donation has indeed been matched. If it has, please contact DSACO at (614) 263-6020, and we will do everything we can to ensure that the donation appears on your page.

Registration

What is the registration fee?
The registration fee is $21 per person of which $10 is tax deductible. Your registration fee includes and official 2011 commemorative Columbus Buddy Walk t-shirt.

Should I start a team or join as an individual?
If you have a friend or family member joining you, please start a team. If you are attending alone, please join as an individual.

Should I register my kids?
Yes, please register everyone who will be attending (even toddlers in strollers). This helps us plan for the day of the event.

I have a family member who wants to join my team but may not be able to attend the walk. Can they still join my team?
Yes, family members can still support you by joining your team and fundraise as a team member even if they are unable to attend.

Can I start a team with 2 people?
Sure. There is not a minimum requirement for team size.

What is the cut-off to register or join a team?
You can register online up to the day of the event. Please have everyone register as early as possible to give us a good headcount so that we can plan for a better event. Registration is also available on site the day of the event.

Some of my family would like to come, but not walk. Do they need to register?
Please make sure to register each person that will attend (even if they do not walk). It helps us know how many people to plan for.

If I am registered, do I need to do anything else to be pre-registered?
No, if you are already registered online, you are all set.

Is it better to register online or register the morning of the walk?
There are many advantages to registering before the walk. Here are just a couple.

Knowing how many people to expect will help us plan for a better event for everyone. We order all items based on how many people we have pre-registered for the walk.
Each person that registers will receive a webpage within the Walk Now for Autism Speaks website. This will give friends and family a place to go where they can donate directly to you online or get a donation form and mail a donation directly to us that will be credited to your page. You can also customize this page with a photo and special message.

Resource Fair

What is the Resource Fair?
Our Resource Fair is made up of booths for local service providers who are there to talk to you and your family about products and services offered.

I know a local service that would be a great fit for the Resource Fair, how do I get them involved?
We are always looking for new information for our participants. Please talk to them about the event and ask them to visit the walk website to learn more about the Columbus Buddy Walk. They should contact the DSACO office if they are interested in participating in the Resource Fair.

Booth Vendor Questions:

What is considered a "kid-friendly activity"?

Face painter
Washable tattoos
Bean bag toss
Coloring books
Playdoh table
Bubbles
Arts and crafts projects
Carnival style activity

Sponsorships

Are corporate sponsorships tax deductible?
Funds donated in exchange for sponsorship deliverables can be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please check with your company's accounting and tax experts to get an accurate accounting of what can be declared charitable and what is a business expense. The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Our tax ID number is 31-1126185.

Can sponsorship money be credited to a personal or corporate team?
Funds earmarked to a personal or corporate team are considered donations. Corporate donations credited to a team cannot be double booked as sponsorship and do not qualify for sponsorship deliverables.

For questions regarding sponsorship or starting a corporate team please e-mail DSACO President & CEO Nancy Whetstone at nwhetstone@dsaco.net.

The Day of the Walk

Are pets allowed at the walk?
Sorry but, pets are not allowed. Only service dogs are permitted at the walk.

Are strollers and wheelchairs allowed at the walk?
Yes. Strollers, wheelchairs and even wagons for the little ones are all welcome.

Are bikes, rollerblades, scooters or skateboards allowed at the walk?
For safety reasons, we cannot allow any of these items.

What do I need to bring with me on the day of the walk?
If you have any donations, bring them with you and hand them in at the Registration booth. Many walkers arrive early and bring a picnic lunch with them; teams often organize tailgate parties. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Where do I park?
Parking at Crew Stadium is free for all Buddy Walk participants and volunteers. Designated parking is available for guests with disabilities whose vehicles display a current state issued disability permit.

I may not make it to the walk when Check-In/Registration opens. Can I arrive late?
Yes. Check-in will be open until the walk ends. Please go directly to the check-in area when you arrive.

How much do I need to raise to receive a t-shirt at the Columbus Buddy Walk?
There is no minimum amount you must raise to earn a t-shirt; however, you must pay the $21 registration fee. Participants must register by August 28 to guarantee the shirt size ordered.

If I don't pickup my t-shirt at the event, can I get one mailed to me?
To reduce costs and ensure that more dollars are directed to the mission of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, t-shirts will be available on walk day only and not mailed to participants who are unable to attend the event.

What happens if it rains on the day of the walk?
The Columbus Buddy Walk will be held on September 18, 2011 "rain or shine".

What does an "open start" mean?
Arnette Howard will be on hand to continue the rich tradition of blowing his famous trumpet at 10:00 a.m. to start the walk. Participants may walk any time between 10:00-11:30 a.m.

What is the Walk Celebration in the Plaza?
The Buddy Walk is more than a walk around Crew Stadium! Visit our vendors who specialize in providing goods or services to people with disabilities. Check out the interactive exhibits featuring kid-friendly activities. Many of our sponsors will also be on hand to meet the families DSACO serves. Don't miss the raffle, photo booth and other activities.

Volunteering

How do I volunteer for the Columbus Buddy Walk?
There are several volunteer opportunities available to support the Columbus Buddy Walk. Please contact Development Officer Laura Berger at lberger@dsaco.net for more information.

Can I get a community service sheet for the hours that I volunteer?
Yes. At the end of your volunteer shift, please go back to the volunteer tent and speak to the committee or staff member in charge.

What time should I arrive and where should I go?
All registered volunteers will receive an email about a week before the walk with detailed information (directions, parking, where to go and what time be there, etc.).

Can my teenager volunteer with me?
Sure. When you register, please enter a team name in the optional field so that we know you are together. You will be scheduled together.

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