Looking for some "cool" fundraising ideas? Look no further! Help Special Olympics Virginia raise a cool million at Polar Plunge 2008 using the below tips and strategies.

1. By far, the fastest and easiest way to raise money is to use your free online fundraising page. Go to www.firstgiving.com/sova and create your own Plunge fundraising page. Then send an e-mail to your list of contacts with a link to your page - your friends and family can donate directly online. Online Personal Fundraising Pages are totally secure, powerful and persuasive, and you will raise more money with less effort.
2. Carry your pledge form with you. You never know when you might run into a supporter!
3. Set a goal; then reach it in manageable steps. To raise $200:

   Ask	Amount	Total
   Yourself (Bring your lunch to work one or two days a week)	1 x $25	$25
   Two family members (Encourage him/her to give money for each child in the family)	2 x $20	$40
   Four friends (Have several friends over for dinner and ask them all at once)	4 x $5	$20
   Four coworkers (Display a donation bucket in your place of business)	4 x $5	$20
   Four neighbors (Not comfortable knocking on doors? Write a letter and insert a return envelope)	4 x $5	$20
   Someone from your book club or athletic team	1 x $25	$25
   Your hairdresser, dry cleaner or doctor (Ask her/him to put a donation jar in the office/shop)	1 x $25	$25
   Ask church/temple member (Have a request placed in the bulletin for a one-time offering)	1 x 25	$25
   		$200

4. Encourage your donors to ask their companies for matching gift forms. Many donors are not aware that this is an option. Matching gifts can double (or even triple) the original donation amount.
5. If you have a Facebook profile, log in and then go to http://apps.facebook.com/firstgiving to add the Fundraising application and help promote your fundraising as your Facebook cause.
6. If you have a MySpace profile, we're on MySpace too! Visit www.myspace.com/polarplungeva so be sure to add the Polar Plunge Walrus as a friend.
7. On your e-mail account, set up your signature with a link to online fundraising Plunge page OR Create a return address labels that state: "I'm participating in the 2008 Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Virginia. Will you sponsor me?"
8. If you didn't receive an answer the first time you asked, ask again! Your potential donor may need a little coaxing or sometimes people mean to donate, but sometimes they don't quite get round to it on the first request! (Friendly reminder e-mails, progress updates, etc. help to nudges the process along.)
9. Get creative and have fun!
10. Don't forget to let us know what you're doing so we can share fundraising ideas with other plungers!