THONvelopes

Documents

Building the Perfect THONvelope


Frequently Asked Questions

♦What exactly is a THONvelope and what is it used for?

A THONvelope is the backbone of THON’s letter writing campaign. It is used to solicit donations from individual donors around the globe! THONvelopes include: a solicitation letter describing THON and The Four Diamonds Fund, a white THON inscribed envelope to send to friends and family, and a blue return envelope for individuals to return to THON with a gift. Volunteers are asked to print out the pre-written THON solicitation letter found online at THON.org to include inside the envelope.
 
♦I hear there is a THONvelope video that I can show to my organization that explains everything all about THONvelopes and their purpose. Where can I find this video?
 
Yes! In fact, we HIGHLY recommend you show this video before speaking about THONvelopes to your organization. It goes into detail about everything involved with THONvelopes so you can save your voice!! Here is the link for the video:

♦What is the proper way to put together a THONvelope?
 
For step-by-step guidelines on how to put together the Perfect THONvelope,  see “How to Build the Perfect THONvelope.”

♦Who can I go to if I have any questions regarding THONveloping and the letter writing campaign?
 
You may send us an email at THONvelopes@gmail.com, or contact Brandon Dalton, Overall Donor Relations Chairperson, at donor.relations@thon.org.
 
♦Once THONvelope Season is over, what should we do next in terms of soliciting individual donors?
 
THONline fundraising is a great way to spread awareness of pediatric cancer and share THON with your family and friends.  It is also an easy way to raise funds For The Kids! Click here to access THONline Fundraising
 
Organization/Independent Dancer Crediting
 
♦I am a committee member but I want to send THONvelopes on behalf of an independent dancer couple. Am I allowed to do this?
 
If you had a pre-existing relationship with the independent dancer, you may send THONvelopes on behalf of them. For instructions on how to send a THONvelope on behalf of an independent dancer, see “How to Build the Perfect THONvelope,”  However, if you have just met the individual(s), and they ask you to put their name on the back of the blue return envelope, that is not allowed.
 
♦I am a committee member but I want to send THONvelopes on behalf of an organization. Am I allowed to do this?
 
Yes, committee members may send THONvelopes on behalf of an organization. Please see “How to Build the Perfect THONvelope.”
 
♦I am a Captain with a committee. Can I pick up THONvelopes for one of my committee members that is also THONveloping with an organization?
 
You may do this, but it is highly discouraged. We’d much rather your committee member’s THON Chair pick them up to ensure that both you and the THON Chair aren’t both picking up one volunteer’s THONvelopes.
 
♦I am an organization member/independent dancer/committee member. How will I know if someone I sent a THONvelope to makes a contribution?
 
Organization member: By putting your name, your organization’s name, and your organization’s number on the back of the blue return envelopes, the THON Chair will be able to sort them accordingly and distribute them back to the members. Make sure the blue return envelope has the THON Chair’s address as the recipient.  Please see “How to Build the Perfect THONvelope.”
Independent dancer: By putting your address on the blue return envelope as the recipient, all gifts were be mailed back to you so you will be able to see who gave a gift to THON in your name.  Please see “How to Build the Perfect THONvelope.”
Committee member: By putting your captain’s name, your committee, and your name on the back of the blue return envelopes, we will be able to sort them according to Captain. Your Captain will then be able to distribute them back to you.  Please see “How to Build the Perfect THONvelope.”
 
♦I am the THON Chair for my organization. How can I tell what members received donations?
 
Make sure that your organization’s members put their names on the back of the blue envelope as well as your organization’s name and number. Please see “How to Build the Perfect THONvelope.”

Distribution Week
 
♦When is THONvelope Distribution Week?
 
THONvelope Distribution Week is November 9th – 12th. 
 
♦Where and when can I pick up my organization’s THONvelopes?
 
Distribution Week is November 9th – 12th from 10 am – 5pm in 325 HUB. 
 
♦How many THONvelopes should I pick up for my organization or as an independent dancer?
 
We feel that every organization member/independent dancer has the ability to come up with at least 20 addresses between their families and friends.  Before picking up your THONvelopes, make sure you talk to each of your members to determine how many addresses they will have and how many your organization intends to send.
 
♦Will the THONvelopes be heavy? Will I be able to fit them in a backpack? Should I bring something to carry them?
 
We will be providing you with a bag to fit your boxes of THONvelopes in, but if you intend on picking up more than 1,000, you may want to consider bringing a friend to help you carry them. Less than 250 THONvelopes will fit in a backpack.

Collection Week
 
♦Does THON pay for postage or we do need to provide postage for all of our THONvelopes?
 
THON provides postage for 200 of all organization and independent dancer’s THONvelopes. THON will provide an additional 25 THONvelopes for those who have met with their Communications or Donor Relations Liaison. We will be collecting your THONvelopes November 30th – December 4th in 235 HUB from 10 am – 5 pm. Make sure all of your THONvelopes are put together properly, addressed, sealed, and ready for THON to stamp and send.
 
♦When and where can I turn the THONvelopes in to be sent?
 
You may turn your first 200 THONvelopes into 235 HUB during Collection Week, November 30th – December 4th from 10 am- 5 pm.
 
♦Can I turn in my THONvelopes late?
 
No. Collection Week is November 30th – December 4th from 10 am – 5 pm in 235 HUB. Please have them properly put together, addressed, sealed, and ready to be stamped and sent.
 
♦What is the best way to receive returned THONvelopes?
 
We suggest either getting a P.O. Box or give someone within your organization the responsibility of receiving returned THONvelopes. Make sure to place the P.O. Box address or address of whoever has that responsibility on the front of the blue return envelope. We promote putting the THON Chair’s address on the face of the blue return envelope so they receive all the returned envelopes.
 
♦How many should each organization member send?
 
We feel that every organization member has the ability to come up with at least 20 addresses between their families and friends. If you are having trouble getting addresses from your organization members, try using an incentive system.

♦Do you have any general tips or tricks to help make our THONvelopes stand out?
 
Personalization is the key to a great THONvelope. Write a personal message on the letter (ex. “Can’t wait to see you over the holidays!) and decorate the envelope so when the recipient receives it, it stands out as being a very personal letter and not spam. For decorating the white envelope, consider using stickers. A possible idea to acquire stickers is to have a sticker campaign, or simply ask for a dollar or two from each of your organization’s members and go out and buy a few sticker books. You’d be surprised how many stickers a few dollars can buy!

♦Do we put stamps on the blue return envelope?
 
No. If a recipient of a THONvelope decides to give a gift to THON, he/she will stamp it themselves.