Build-A-Thon

Thank you for joining the 2010 Build-a-Thon. You are helping to keep the excitement building!

habitat kids

Benefits of Build-a-Thon Participation

  • Food!
  • Building homes for Habitat families!
  • Habitat goodies for each level of fundraising you reach!
  • Prizes for highest fundraisers; individually and team!
  • And most importantly – the satisfaction that you are helping make the dream of homeownership a reality with our Habitat homebuyers!
Every volunteer will receive a personalized fundraising website, lunch and goodies on site, an invitation to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and the pride of building community and transforming lives. In addition, to say thank you for all of your efforts when you reach fundraising levels you will receive the following benefits (each level is cumulative):

Fundraising Levels:

  • Top Fundraisers - $5000 + Levels 1, 2 & 3 rewards,
  • Level 3 - $1000 + Level 1 & 2 rewards,
  • Level 2 - $500 + Level 1 rewards,
  • Level 1 - $200
As you move forward, please remember:
  • All the information you need to donate and/or participate is online or you may call the office, 640-0590 or email our Build-a-Thon team
  • Please make checks payable to Habitat SHR.
  • Be sure to write your name and "Build-a-Thon" in the memo line of each check.
  • A matching gift by a company can DOUBLE your pledge!
Please email build_a_thon@shrhabitat.org if you have any questions. We want to help you reach your potential and have a GREAT experience participating in the Build-a-Thon.

Interested and are now ready to Register?

How it Works: Register Today (two options, online or snail)

  • First Pay Your $25 Registration Fee
  • Begin Fundraising - Reach for the roof! You may surprise yourself with just how easy fundraising can be. Individual minimum goal of $200-$500/shift. If you’d like a paper pledge form please click here.
  • Sign up for your shift (beginning Sept. 24 on Volunteer Up). If you elect, VolunteerUp will send you a reminder email before your scheduled shift.
  • Have fun!

Get Started

Click here to get started on your own personal fundraising page!

Snail Mail Registration

Prefer paper to plastic? Please download a paper pledge form and make checks payable* to Habitat SHR and mail to: Habitat SHR, 900 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23504
*Remember to include your participant’s name and "Build-a-Thon" in the memo line.

  • $25 will provide a porch light to light the way
  • $50 will provide a front door where guests enter
  • $75 will provide a cabinet where the cookie jar can be found
  • $100 will provide a window to watch the seasons change
  • $250 will provide insulation to help keep a family warm
  • $500 will provide lumber to build a child’s bedroom
  • $1000 will provide bathroom and kitchen fixtures
  • $5000 will provide a roof over the heads of a family

Support a Participant

From the personal fundraising page you'll be able to search a participant's name (or group name) of who you'd like to support. You can support their efforts by making a donation directly through our secure online donation page!

How to Solicit Donations (can easily be done from your personal fundraising page)

Letter Writing Tips and Samples for Build-a-thon Participants
To begin your letter writing campaign all you have to do is log in to your fundraising page and click on the Email button.
Each email you send can include a link to the Habitat SHR donation page where your supporters can make a secure donation online in your support.
  • Use one of our two sample templates (make sure to personalize it with your name, fundraising goal, and volunteer commitment). Sample Letter 1 OR Sample Letter 2
  • Include a photo of you volunteering with Habitat (if possible).
  • Upload photos and tell our story so your supporters really understand your connection to Habitat.
  • A matching gift by a company (yours or a friend’s) can DOUBLE your support.
  • See our Creative Fundraising Tips and Ideas guide (below) to supplement your letter campaign.
If you prefer to send letters by mail:
Keep it short and make it personal. Share why you are participating in the Build-a-Thon and what your fundraising goal is. Provide information about Habitat for Humanity. Here are a few suggestions...
  • Habitat for Humanity exists to ensure access to safe, decent, affordable homes that help children and families thrive.
  • Every 10 minutes a Habitat house is started somewhere in the world.
  • The benefits of homeownership and proper housing are astounding: families are stronger, children are healthier, and communities are safer.
  • More than 1.6 billion people around the world live in substandard housing. This must change. The change starts at HOME!
Close by saying Thank You and asking your supporters to make a fully tax deductible donation either:
  • Online
  • By check (payable to Habitat SHR and make sure your name and "Build-a-Thon" is written in the memo line of the check and mail it directly to: Habitat SHR, 900 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23504)

We encourage you to keep your fundraising going and growing strong even after the even (we're always building). This is a great way to continue to spread awareness about the Habitat mission and your connection to our work. If you receive checks directly from your supporters (before or after the event) please mail them to Habitat SHR and we will make sure they are reflected in your fundraising progress.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teams

  • 1. Register your team: The team captain is the leader of your team. This person sets up the team online fundraising page through the Build-a-Thon website at http://shrhabitat.org. Recruit team members, organizes and rallies the team fundraising efforts and monitors the team’s progress throughout the event.
  • 2. Identify team members: Consider hosting a “Team Kick Off” Meeting to invite, recruit and register team members.
  • 3. Identify team goal: Make this a stretch goal. We suggest a minimum fundraising goal of $200-$500 per person per shift.
  • 4. Create team fundraising page: Go to the Build-a-Thon website at http://shrhabitat.org, select "I want to start a Team," and follow the instructions. Once you have created your team fundraising page, email the provided link to invite your team members to create personal fundraising pages linked to the team page. Remember that volunteer shifts are first come first serve – if your team wants to volunteer together, be sure to register early!
  • 5. Start fundraising: This is the FUN part. With your team come up with some fun team fundraising ideas, being sure to use the fundraising guides to get started. Monitor your progress and keep the excitement building.
  • 6. Offline donations: If your team receives checks or cash from donors, please mail the money to: Habitat SHR, 900 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23504 (please include Build-a-Thon and your team name in the memo line).
  • 7. Need help? You will be receiving emails from the Build-a-Thon that will offer advice, update you on the status of the event and provide helpful reminders and announcements along the way. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact the Build-a-Thon team directly by emailing Katie Elder at build_a_thon@shrhabitat.org or by phone 757-640-0590 ext. 218.
Click here to Read Tips and Letter Examples of how to Approach Your Potential Buildathon Donors/Supporters

Creative Fundraising Tips and Ideas

Fundraising can be fun and easy! Here are a few tips and ideas that will help you reach your goal (and maybe even surpass it)! Remember, most of your friends, family and colleagues already donate to nonprofit organizations and if you suggest an organization, like Habitat SHR, about which you feel passionate; they’ll catch your enthusiasm and want to support you and the Habitat mission. They’ll be honored that you asked!
Send Letters - Email or use snail mail and let your friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, local business, clubs, teams, congregation etc. know about why you are participating in the Build-a-Thon and how to support you in building safe, affordable, descent homes in our community! Tell Your Story - Personalize all of your communications and share your excitement about participating in the Build-a-Thon with everyone you meet. The more you share the more EXCITEMENT you can BUILD!
Create a Slideshow/Movie - Include pictures and stories about the important work Habitat is doing in our community and why you are a part of this event. Post it on YouTube and send it to all of your contacts with an appeal for donations. Throw a Party - Throw a theme party at your home, at your favorite local spot, at the bowling alley, or at church. Ask guests to make a donation to the Habitat Build-a-Thon. You can even ask your friends to ask THEIR friends to donate!
Invite Your Office - Make sure to share your story at work and invite your co-workers to participate or donate, and don’t forget about company matching gifts! In Lieu of Gifts - Do you have a special occasion coming up? Ask your loved ones to donate to Habitat in lieu of giving you a gift. There is no better way to honor you than to donate in your honor!
Garage/Craft/Bake Sale - Host a community event and donate all of the proceeds to Habitat. You’ll exceed your fundraising goal faster than you can imagine! Change Drive - Create "extra change" jars for your family. At the end of every day ask them to add their pocket change to the jar, and donate the total to Habitat.
Post a Flyer - At work, at your place of worship, at your favorite local businesses and restaurants, at community centers etc. Spreading the word about the Build-a-Thon and your participation will help create affordable housing opportunities in our community. Delegate - Ask your friends to participate. They can join your team and help you meet a team goal (even if they don’t have time to volunteer right now), or they can send emails with the link to your website to all of THEIR contacts and help raise money for Habitat.
Signature Line - Add "Build-a-Thon Participant" in your signature line of emails and letters with the link to Habitat SHR. You’ll be surprised how many people will ask for more information and be excited about getting involved and supporting you. Social Networking - Make sure to include your Build-a-Thon status updates on your social networking page(s). You could change your profile picture to a Build-a-Thon logo, send updates about your fundraising progress on a regular basis, and let people know that you are participating in the Build-a-Thon.
Worship Bulletin - Ask your place of worship to include the Build-a-Thon as an announcement in the weekly bulletin. Include the Habitat SHR website for members who are interested in participating or supporting you. Newsletters - Think of all the newsletters (print or electronic) you receive. Ask your place of worship to include the Build-a-Thon as an announcement in the weekly bulletin. Include http://shrhabitat.org for members who are interested in participating or supporting you.
BE CREATIVE! These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are lots of ways to spread the word, get others excited, and be successful.