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There are a number of ways to contribute through wrestling events. Funds raised at benefit events may be contriuted directly to Pinning Down Autism, or to autism service providers in your community that assist you in promoting and working the event, or a combination of each.
The simplest way is to have a presence at a youth, high school or college wrestling meet that is aleady scheduled.
- Speak with the host coach or tournament director about having the tournament be an autism benefit.
- set up a table either in the wrestling area or out in the hallway/cafeteria area for information and/or merchandise for sale
- Invite members of the community who provide services for families affected by autism to join you at the event and set out their merchandise and materials as well.
- Contact your local newspaper. They may wish to write a story on your outstanding community service and help you promote it.
Ways to raise funds at benefit events,
- Ask the event director to add $2.00 to each admission as a contribution.
- Hold raffles. You can do a 50/50 as well as raffle off any kind of merchandise. Tickets to sporting events and sports memorabilia are big winners.
- Seek out sponsors within the community. Area business may wish to sponsor the event by donating funds or merchandise to raffle in exchange for advertising their service at the meet.
Hosting your own benefit tournament
This is much more involved but can also generate significantly greater revenues. Things to consider,
- Make it a team effort. If you have never run a wrestling tournament, enlist the aid of a school or club coach who has. Invite your team or club members and their parents to pitch in.
- Secure the venue. Just about any high school will be very happy to support our mission by opening their doors for an event, provided that the wrestling coach of that school is involved.
- Delegate a person in charge of each type of activity. This includes, wrestling tournament operations before the event (staffing-officials, table help, trainer, type of coverage i.e. USA cards and sanction) and during the event (weigh ins, bracketing, bout sheets).This will usually be an experienced coach. Also have some one in charge of food concessions, fund raising tables, information tables. If you are contributing to a local autism service organization, they will help staff these tables.
- Advertise the event to the "non-wrestling" general public. Part of our mission is to make people aware of the outstanding character of the wrestling community!
- Have fun! Everyone is there to wrestle but also to support a great cause! All in attendance will support your efforts and help where they can. A takedown tournament works well because it moves quickly and allows for other games and activities. Here is a gallery of a benefit takedown tournament we held outside!
- Document the activities. Have a some one take photos and video. Contact local media.
Ways to raise funds
- When you host your own event, there are some other significant revenue streams in addition to those listed above.
- Entry fees-$20 to $30 per entrant is a standard entry fee for a one day tournament
- Admission- If you charge for general admission, it can all be used as proceeds.
- Food concessions- Plan for breakfast and lunch.
Hosting a benfit clinic
This is another outstanding means to promote our cause. They are much simpler than tournaments in that they fit into a schedule much easier and require only a fraction of the staff. Keep in mind,
- All of the same tournament revenue streams are available for a clinic.
- Delegate, as above. All you need for the clinic itself is the clinician(s) and some assistant coaches. One coach per 10 kids is ideal.
- Shoot for the stars when selecting your clinician(s). Don't be afraid to contact the legends of wrestling. The greatest champions got that way by being outstanding individuals as well as athletes. Here is an example.
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