Marketing Partnership with the Alzheimer's Association

[Chexhero]

About a week ago the Alzheimer’s Association of America reached out to some of the executive board and myself(the marketing director) to partner up on their event The Longest Day on June 21st. Richard Beckwith and I spoke to some representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association to discuss possible partnership ideas. We thought that this would be a great partnership due to the intellectual prowess it takes to master checkers. Imagine if all the years you have spent studying and practicing were ripped away by a disease that weakens your cognitive function and memory. The Longest Day is an event in which people raise awareness and funds to support research and treatment for people with Alzheimer’s. On The Longest Day people around the country representing corporations, groups, and individuals participate in an activity for 16 hours (dawn to dusk). The activity can vary group to group but all activities are used to bring awareness and fundraise for the Alzheimer’s Association. The best way for us to partner up would be as individual participants hosting similar activities, in groups or on our own, which not only bring awareness to Alzheimer’s but to our organization. Each participant would have to pay a $35 entry fee to the Alzheimer’s Association. In return they would be provided with fundraising materials such as a link to a personalized donation site. Participants would seek donations leading up to and at their event. We would like to host events that involve checkers so that we can get the ACF name out there while we raise money for this good cause. Each person who decides to participate will receive ACF brochures from Joe Moore that can be handed out at your event. Some ideas for events would be tournaments in which the proceeds are donated in place of prize money, checker exhibitions at local establishments, checker coaching sessions at local establishments, or anything you could think of that would bring awareness to Alzheimer’s and the ACF. The Alzheimer’s Association said that they would reach out to corporations such as Cracker Barrel to see if they would be willing to host such events. We could also host events in places such as retirement communities, VFWs, rotary clubs, etc. which would be likely to reach the demographic most effected by Alzheimer’s disease. I personally would like to host an event in my area at a local Cracker Barrel. My idea is to set up a stand in the waiting area to play people as they wait to be seated or after they have finished their meals. I could play full games or set up problems to challenge people and then coach them through the solution. This would show people the critical thinking involved in checkers. I could then discuss how Alzheimer’s would keep me from doing what I love. All the while I will be getting the ACF name out there by handing out brochures, business cards, and sharing my passion for the ACF. I don’t want people to feel overwhelmed by this proposal. We realize that our members are spread around the country. This may mean that your activity is an individual activity such as the one I am hoping to do. However you may partner up with people in your area to host bigger events. Given that this is new to us, any contribution would be appreciated no matter how great or small. Even if you are not able to physically participate in an event, you could sponsor someone. We would love to know if anyone would be interested in pursuing this partnership which seems like a great opportunity to market the ACF and hopefully increase membership. We would also like to hear what ideas you guys have for events to host on The Longest Day.

[Chexhero]

So has anyone giving any thought to the possible partnership with the Alzheimer's Association? I think this would be a great opportunity to get the ACF name out there. I believe that in order to keep the ACF sustainable, we need to do our very best to increase membership. While it may seem to be a lot of work for a one day event, we would be promoting the ACF leading up to the event, and would be building relationships with outside organizations, which could help us promote the ACF in future events. I understand that some of you may feel overwhelmed from the description, but I am willing to put in the effort myself and will give you as much help as I can. I hope that you all will join me in promoting this event and help grow our great organization that we love. Feel free to write your suggestions, questions, etc. in the comments below or feel free to email me at chexnchips@yahoo.com.

Thank you,

Joe Moore

[rich beckwith]

Thanks for your good, detailed explanation Joe. Alzheimer’s research is a worthy cause, and this is a novel way to raise money while giving our wonderful game community exposure, while promoting the angle that brain games offer healthy benefits. Alzheimer’s Association partnered with Bridge successfully in recent years.

I’m curious what checker players in other states think, but I would like to do my part here with maybe a one-day tournament or demonstration. I likely can get donations via Facebook friends (some of whom are already familiar with the fall Alzheimers walk).