Behind the Button

Who is on your button?...photo buttons are a powerful fundraising idea

People ask YOU about your cause...that's why photo buttons are such a powerful fundraising idea!

Erin Dennis gets around (in a good way)! Erin, a busy mom gets around to the supermarket, the Target, her church and school... and everywhere Erin and her girls (above) go people ask about Ellie Potvin! Why would a friend, family member or total stranger ask Erin about Ellie Potvin?

Because Erin is wearing a photo button with Ellie's 1000 watt smiling face and people can't resist asking Who is on your button? And every time they ask - Erin is ready to share her personal version of Ellie's story. 

I don't think Erin is using the button as a fundraising tool but if she were you can see how powerful a fundraising idea it is. Think about it...the hardest part (it's just human nature) of fundraising is asking for a donation - even just starting that conversation can be uncomfortable for many people..and yet with a button pinned to her shirt or her purse or knapsack - people start the conversation, they ask Erin. The other amazing - powerful thing to consider is that without the button none of these conversations would have happened! 

This is what Erin had to say about wearing the button...

"I've been asked about the Ellie Potvin button in many places - the bank, my church, the supermarket, Target, at the YMCA - people ask me all the time about the button - one mom even purchased one. Ooh - I forgot. I also wear my button to work - I teach at Community College. The students ask about Ellie every week we meet. One of my students even brought in a gift for me to give to Ellie!"

So next time you're looking to spread the word about a cause, honor a friend or raise money for a charity - consider making & wearing a custom photo button right here @ Buttons of Hope. Photo buttons may just be the most simply powerful fundraising idea...ever!

** Erin's kids weren't the only ones at the Miley Cyrus concert - here's Ellie (left) with her twin sister Grace and Ms. Montana and her button!

Erin Ott "each step I take will be for her" | Susan G. Komen 3 day Walk Arizona

When Erin visited the Buttons of Hope website - she was a stranger now her story(s) and her passion are out there for everyone to see. Erin tells me she loves her buttons - but it's really not about the buttons so much as its about what those buttons say about the powerful stories she has to share. I love it when the light goes on and someone finds the photo button fundraising idea. When I see someone like Erin proudly wearing her buttons I know that while they are a powerful fundraising tool more than they are helping her be the change she wants to see in the world...wow!

From Erin...I would love to offer you my story, so here it goes:

"I initially signed up for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day (Arizona 2009) as a challenge to myself to commit to a wonderful cause and to better myself and those around me. I learned of the walk from my boss and her daughter-in-law.  I immediately said where do I sign up???? I registered and started walking a little each day...and then a little more and a little more...[if you've never done a Komen 3 day Walk it is one of the most physically demanding fundraisers]

My aunt is a TWO time breast cancer survivor, and multiple women and men that I work with are survivors.  So I started walking and started asking those around for donations.  Fundraising was tough, but I just kept asking and emailing and posting on facebook and finally I reached my goal of $2,300!!  Then something happened that made this walk much more personal than I ever thought imaginable.  My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Her surgery date will be just days before my 3-day journey and each step I take will be for her.  My camelbak is decorated with buttons of hope so all who see me walk down the street will know who I walk for...I walk for my aunt, I walk for my co-workers, I walk for my sisters, and I walk for my Mom, my best friend for life!"

If you'd like to support Erin please leave a comment for her at the end of this blog post and / or if you like you'd care to contribute to her Susan G Komen 3 Day fundraising page - to make a contribution to Erin simply click on the button of Mom (really try it works)!

 

Over 10,000 buttons - every one has a story and every story is different!

If ever there was something that defined what Behind the Button is all about...
well this takes the cake! I know there's a story behind every button (I've personally made by hand well over 10,000) sometimes the story is shared / sometimes not but either way there's a story here like that of twin sisters Ellie and Grace Potvin.

For me the stories are more than curiosity - as I'm making the buttons I feel like I get to know these people (it's the eyes) and I wonder if I could be as brave as the people on these buttons and my customer/friends who order them. I stumbled upon this video of Ellie and Grace from just last month September 2009 - knowing what was (and is) going on at that time I doubt I could ever be as brave as these little girls or Amy the camerawoman ~ Godspeed team Potvin!

If you'd like to wear a button in support of Ellie see button gallery here

I have the best customers in the world! Michele Kwok | Team in Training

One thing about my customers they are filled with passion! It blows me away when I see what they are doing for causes like Team In Training's fight against leukemia and lymphoma.

What an awesome surprise - So today one of my favorite customers Michele Kwok dropped me a note on the Buttons of Hope Facebook fanpage to page (become a fan) follow up on her quest to run the Chicago Marathon in honor of her Dad ~ some of you might remember me writing about her story "My Dad will be running with me the whole way" - Michele is going to to fly! in April. Michele was looking for a fundraising idea that would help her honor her Dad and meet her Team In Training fundraising goal!

Clearly Team Kwok is a rousing success.....yeah Michele, yeah buttons!

Buttons help keep Ellie Potvin in your mind as well as your heart!

It is with a heavy heart that I write what is at best an update on a sweet little girl's condition. As many of you know I befriended Ellie, her twin sister Grace and their parents Tim and Amy last year within days of Ellie's cancer diagnosis 

The MojoRiding cycling team - I wrote "I Specialize in Kindness" and many others joined together to ride the 24 Hours of Booty in support of Ellie's just beginning fight with cancer (rhabdomyosarcoma) - after more chemo and heartache than any child or family should endure things brightened late this summer as Ellie's cancer took a breather (as I wrote here "winning her fight"). But that joy was not long-lived as within weeks the cancer was back and once again Ellie and her family are immersed in the misery of cancer treatment and life altering decisions.

I made some new buttons picking up on Amy's new battle cry TEAM POTVIN - and I wrote to her that "I guess I don't know what to say so I make buttons" - Amy I'm sure had a little chuckle about that, that's just who she is. But I also know that the buttons I've made have been at times a badge of honor for the Potvin's and I know that Ellie likes seeing other folks wearing "her picture". So more or less I wanted to update this story and to thank everyone who has ordered buttons I hope you are wearing them and that they help keep Ellie in your mind as well as your heart. The Potvin's encourage everyone to wear buttons to support Ellie both in spirit and financially - it does make a difference ($2 from each button goes to the The Ellie Shoal Potvin Supplemental Needs Trust)

If you'd like to (please do) read more about Ellie and all the support she is receiving please visit her CaringBridge site (please leave a message of support) or her website Lift Up Ellie. And if you'd like to show your support by wearing a button or pinning one on your purse, golfbag or knapsack you can find them by clicking here at Buttons of Hope. Thank you for keeping this brave little girl and her beautiful family in your thoughts and prayers. makehope

Buttonguy Riding the Ride to Fight cancer.

 

Team MojoRiding raises $44,686

 

With your help this little cycling team Rhonda and I started in 2005 has raised over $290,000 $310,000 for charity! MojoRiding has turned the amateur cycling/fundraising world on it's ear and we even got to meet and ride with a very special person because of it (more on that below)

So now we are at it again Rhonda, myself & fifty MojoRiders will be taking to the tree-lined streets of Myers Park in the 24 Hours of Booty << (watch the video it's amazing) to benefit LIVESTRONG and Charlotte cancer charities July 25-26.

And now you can add a LIVESTRONG yellow bracelet to Twitter @buttonguy very cool...

Like so many of my Buttons of Hope customers I will be walking the walk OK riding the ride and fundraising for a great cause. We'll be riding for our cousins Dale and Janie who passed away too young from cancer. And will also be riding for Robin Perkins wife of Dave Perkins our good friend and fellow Mojo. Robin was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is battling through surgery and treatments. We'll also be out there in honor of our dear friend Brandon Elam who passed away, and to support little Ellie Potvin who is battling a rare cancer BUT after a year of chemo is winning her fight! Robin and Ellie are examples of the promise of research, early detection and treatment that is funded by your donation to our efforts!

Rhonda and I are going to ride a combined 300+ miles (20 hours) in the 24 hour period (through the night and summer heat)....

We realize there are a number of ways to give and some remarkable causes - we hope you'll consider our physical effort and commitment should you decide to contribute - maybe you have someone you'd like us to honor - for every $50 donation we'll wear a button of your loved on our jersey (one for you too) and ride in their honor! It's very easy to donate** online simply click on the link below to make a donation.

http://budurl.com/BootyForMichael 

Any size donation is greatly appreciated - Thank you for your generous donation!

OK so back to the "mystery person" - because of the generosity of our donors and the hard work of the Mojoriding team last fall Rhonda and I were invited to Austin where we both got to meet Lance Armstrong and I had the dream of a lifetime honor of riding with Lance.

 

"My Dad will be running with me the whole way" - Michele is going to to fly!

On occasion I make buttons for runners, but much like cyclists runners can be a little different from walkers. I had one runner recently who did not want to wear a button ~ he said it might "weigh him down"! (the buttons are about 1.5 oz!) Well here's a story about a runner who is most certainly going to be lifted up by her button - Michele Kwok is going to fly at the 2009 Chicago Rock & Roll Half Marathon ~ in part because of this button of her Dad!

"I will wear this button on the day of my race, my Dad will be running with me the whole way, he is my inspiration to finish these 13.1 miles without stopping." ~ Michele Kwok

I am no longer surprised by people like Michele BUT I am still in awe of the strength people muster in the most heart-rending of circumstances. Michele lost her dad to cancer less than a year ago and now with the support and motivation of The leukemia and lymphoma Society's awesome Team in Training Michele has the courage to run further than ever before in honor of her Dad. Please take a minute to read Michele's story and if you are touched by her story please consider donating to her cause click here so that in the future people like Michele's dad will be there to run beside her in more than spirit!

From Michele Kwok....

"It has always been a goal of mine to participate in the Chicago Marathon. I have participated in a few 5K races during the past few years and finally this year I decided to take it a notch up towards my goal. I ran in the 2009 Shamrock Shuffle 8K this March even though it was snowing and there were puddles everywhere, as long as it wasn't cancelled, I didn't care, I was going to run it. I finished with a great time and it was a great experience. The next step is at the end of May when I run the 15K at Soldier Field. When I was researching the Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon, I saw that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society were offering their training services for this event and I thought that if I could conquer the 1/2 marathon then eventually I could do the full. I signed up right away and I knew that I wouldn't be able to train for this big event by myself and I also wanted to help fundraise for the society. This event means a lot to me, I'm running in memory of my Dad who lost his battle with Leukemia last September.

My Dad was a kind, loving, genuine, loving, and hardworking man. He was diagnosed with Leukemia right after Christmas in 2007. He went through 2 rounds of Chemo and throughout the whole time, he had the greatest spirit and positive outlook even through all the pain. He had found an article in the newspaper and the title read "I Will Survive!" He clipped it out and posted it next to his bed. He always loved to make jokes and had a unique sense of humor, his cheerfulness always made everyone smile. His chemo sessions resulted well and he was feeling good. He was able to make it to my Commencement and see me walk across the stage, I was so thankful for that.

Damn the Lemons! Buttons of Hope a Finalist

Sometimes when you lose you win! A couple of weeks ago Buttons of Hope was a finalist at the Charlotte Research Institute's  Five Ventures Entrepreneurial Competition. It was truly an honor to be part of this prestigious competition ~ to make it through the semi-finals and then the finals.

It was tough and in the end I faced a real challenge having to do a mock sales pitch: Buttons of Hope to a fictionalized retailer Tall-Mart (yes that retailer). So I did what so many of my customers and friends in the non profit/fundraising world do every day I did my best to turn lemons into lemonade! My pitch...encourage Walmart to put a face on their corporate giving by having their two million associates wear photo buttons -- bold idea (see lemons above) I did not win came out third in a category of three...yikes!

As my sweetest daughter Emily cautioned me...
Dad, good luck with that!

I wished I had the opportunity to pitch Buttons of Hope to a Susan Komen, American cancer Society or March of Dimes. I had a great presentation at the ready talking about how custom photo buttons are a way to personalize a cause and a way to engage both fundraisers and donors alike. About how colored ribbons, wristbands and names scribbled on placards become anonymous and pale in comparison to the picture of a loved one or a friend! About how Non-Profits need to embrace bold, unique approaches...right now! (sorry couldn't resist)

Those of you (me) who have made buttons know what I am talking about ~ how the very act of choosing the picture, holding and pinning on the button makes such a huge difference - the button becomes a tangible expression of your pride, honor and love!

If you like...the Charlotte Observer's Kirsten Valle did a really nice job in her story about the competition and Buttons of Hope.

But, I'd still like to give that preferred presentation ~ so if you're a non-profit looking for a new way to engage motivate and inspire your grassroots fundraisers and donors well we need to meet. I am ready to talk. And to all my awesome customers if you know a fundraising event/cause that could use a little (or giant) push please tell them about Buttons of Hope!

One picture shows what Susan Komen Race for the Cure is all about.

> I received this note today from a fiend Diana who made buttons for her own breast cancer walk read her story here..I just thought this was so moving..."I am so sorry for their loss. Do you think it would be okay with Jennifer's friends and family if I bought a button and wore it in my Avon breast cancer walk? I know I did not know her but I read the blog and would be honored if they said okay!!!" Diana, I'm going to say it would be more than just OK!

_________________________________________________________________

I suppose I've seen Jennifer Goncalves face a few hundred times between making, packing and shipping 100 buttons for her friends and family to wear in the April 26 Susan Komen Race for the Cure in Newark, NJ. Much like Janine Kelker I feel like I know Jen ~ I wish I could have known her.

Jen's button is one a few I've made without any words and once you see Jen's eyes and smile ~ I think you'll see why words, logos, colored ribbons and wristbands pale in comparison to the powerfully simple message of a face on a button. Jen only 26 passed away from cancer two weeks before her wedding day.

Please check out the Jen's Breast Friends team page and consider making a donation ~ you might want to read this first from Jen and then from her Aunt Lucy Piccininni...

"Cancer took away my hair, my boobs, and my energy...
But it never took away my hope and courage to fight this horrible disease!"
-Jennifer Goncalves

My beloved niece Jennifer Goncalves was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, at the age of 26, in January 2008. After 14 months of battling this disease she passed away on March 20, 2009, 2 weeks before her wedding!

She was unlike any other person on this earth. She was the very essence of compassion, strength, courage, beauty, happiness, intelligence and the list can go on and on. From the time Jennifer was a little girl she had a certain appreciation for the simple things that life had to offer. Her joy for life was clearly demonstrated through her beautiful smile and the sparkle in those unforgettable green eyes.

Jennifer was more than just a daughter, fiancé, sister, niece, best friend, etc.  She was everything to everyone that knew her and all of our lives are a million times better just because we had the privilege of having her in it.  Her time with us was short, but she managed to impact and touch more people than most do in an entire lifetime.   We will always feel cheated that she was taken from us so young and yet we must learn to be grateful that she came along at all.

Even during her most difficult moments, she kept a positive attitude. The strength and courage that she possessed this past year is beyond what anyone could've ever imagined and it shows what a truly remarkable woman she was. Jennifer had the most contagious laugh that could be heard miles away and she had the wonderful ability to brighten up any room that you walked into. (continued...)

Small is a BIG problem for Non Profits

I first posted this on my makehope blog and frankly hesitated posting it here ~ the tone is candid and not as positive as I'd like but I feel that this needs to be said. My hope is that the post will start what I think will be a timely and important dialogue. please comment

Small things are so often a portent of bigger problems. Regular readers of this blog or it's sister blog Behind the Button know that I started a company called Buttons of Hope that uses custom photo buttons to help people with their fundraising by putting a face on their cause. Mine is a small start up with a big ambition and mission ~ to change the face of fundraising. While the major charities have been thus far less than enthused about the idea I am making buttons for hundreds of people who are inspired and often share their stories and powerful testimonials here, here and even here.

 

So is this just all about Mike Gibbons' sour grapes - not at all and here's why. As I forge on making 1000s of buttons caring about each button, each story and each fundraiser as if they were the only one ~ the people who wear buttons crave to share their stories with someone who'll listen ~ the big charities are too often indifferent and I think missing a very BIG opportunity.

In December Buttons of Hope made a (albeit small) donation to a well respected national cancer charity**. I sent the following letter (below) with a few of the actual buttons and the $41 check. Today I received a form postcard with fill in the blank for date and donation amount (see below) good I suppose for tax purposes but given the nature of my letter I was nonplussed to say the least.

You might be thinking geessh I read all this way and basically some guy is ticked because his $41 bucks did not evoke "top donor" recognition? NO the point is this: I think non profits have out of convenience, necessity or both forgotten the little guy, the grassroots. More disconcerting for them, you never know if that little guy is in fact a little guy? This non profit had no way of knowing that behind the $41 buck donation is a guy who also started a cycling team that has raised over $270,000 for cancer charities the past four years! Small can be a very big problem for even big non profits. Indeed.

(those are my thoughts I would really value your feedback/comments on this especially if you are with a non profit)

This is the letter I sent...

         This is what I received...