Top fundraiser wins signed Jimmie Johnson shirt
As the top 100 Miles for Hope fundraiser during March, American Legion member Chris Yates is the first recipient of the monthly incentive, an autographed Jimmie Johnson shirt.
Yates, a member of Alvin Myo Dunn Post 365 in Vista, Calif., so far has raised about $2,000 as part of the 100 Miles for Hope campaign. All the money raised through registration fees and donations go to The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation. In turn, those dollars fund programs that provide services that help disabled veterans receive free assistance in getting their earned VA benefits, as well as creating grants for military families who have fallen on hard times.
The challenge runs until Sept. 5 so there is plenty of time to sign up and compete for incentives. The April participant with the highest fundraising total will receive their choice of an autographed Tony Kanaan shirt, hat or die-cast model car.
Each month of the challenge, the top fundraiser will receive a special incentive, as Yates did. At the conclusion of the 100 Miles for Hope challenge, the top overall fundraiser will receive the top incentive — four tickets to the INDYCAR race of their choosing during the 2023 season.
For more about the special incentives, visit this page. Here are some tips about how to fundraise.
How has Yates been so successful in his fundraising? Start with “why.”
“I'm not doing anything other than, to be honest with you, sharing my journey,” he said. “If I make a major milestone for me, which is to achieve 100 miles, I post it on social media. One of the things I've done differently this year is for every 100 miles that I run, with a goal of doing 1,000 between now and Labor Day, is I do 100 in memory of a veteran who has fallen.”
Right now Yates is approaching 400 miles. This century is dedicated to Harry Woods, who was a member of American Legion Post 255 in National City, Calif. Woods passed away last October.
“Harry was just a great friend, a great Legionnaire, Naval Academy grad, served in the United States Navy,” Yates said. “He dedicated his time, his resources and his service to the Department of California. For years he dedicated his time to membership. The most recent time that California was 100% was under his leadership and guidance. This 100 miles is for Harry Woods.”
Tips for fundraising success
It’s understandable that some fundraisers may feel hesitant to ask family members, friends and others for donations. Yates admits he struggles with that but offers this advice:
• People don't know unless you ask. Don’t assume that someone has made all the donations they can afford. “We don't decide how much they give, they have to decide what they want to give. So we have to let them know what we're doing so they have the opportunity to donate.”
• Make it fun. Yates, a Green Bay Packers fan, was watching a football game last fall with a friend who’s a Washington Commanders supporter. They placed a friendly wager that the loser would donate $100 to the winner’s choice of charity. Once 100 Miles for Hope began, Yates contacted his friend for the $100 donation.
• Reach out beyond the Legion. Yates said he was talking with someone he has a working relationship with who had not heard of 100 Miles for Hope previously. Yates wasn’t comfortable bringing it up in the workplace, but his friend said, “You need to let us know, we'll decide whether we have the resources to contribute or not." Yates provided the information and his friend donated $250 on the spot.
• Share the story. “The best way is to share the story of The American Legion, share the story of brotherhood and sisterhood among veterans, and share the story of the power behind having a foundation that helps disabled veterans and their families. As a society, how can you not be behind that?”
Yates has actively participated in each of the first three editions of the 100 miles challenge.
“What makes 100 Miles for Hope such a genius idea is the concept of personal fitness and wellness while getting out there and raising funds to support veterans and military families,” he said. “How does that not resonate well with anybody, with any American? And not to sound selfish, but when we put ourselves first, we put ourselves in a position to serve others, and that's not a selfish thing, that's a servant thing. And when you can show that and when you can do that on a regular basis, and you're genuine about it, people gravitate to that.”
That authenticity is appealing to donors.
“When people see that on social media, they see a trust, they want to be part of something, and they're willing to contribute whatever it is that they have at the time to a good cause.”
Yates has also experienced health benefits.
“There's a giving aspect of it, but more importantly, from a health perspective, my mind is clearer, I get a lot more done throughout the day,” he explained. “My triglyceride count, for which I was getting ready to get a prescription, is under control. My weight is under control. I just feel a lot better. An aggravating back pain that would expose itself for temporary periods is totally gone. All in all I just think more clearly, feel better, and really getting into the health aspect of this whole thing.”
Yates isn’t stopping at $2,000.
“I think I can do a lot better than that, so I'm learning as I go as well,” he said. “But the idea, for me, is that we just continue to tell this story, continue to have fun with it, continue to encourage one another to live healthier and happier lifestyles. At the same time give to an organization that helps our military and veteran families.”