Greetings PRSA Members!

The fundraising deadline to have your boat name included on the regatta t-shirt (August 27) is fast approaching, and the rest of the Leukemia Cup Events are just weeks away.  We're happy to announce that Terry Hutchinson will be the guest speaker at the Friday Leukemia Cup kickoff party (10 September), and that this year's raffle prizes are absolutely fantastic—just a few more reasons to register with the LLS and start raising funds!  Will you be part of the 2010 fun?

Details on registration, upcoming events and deadlines, and the raffle are included below, as are a few additional fundraising tips.  In addition to registering with the LLS to raise funds and take part in Leukemia Cup events, please remember that all One Design boats must register for the Presidents Cup with the PRSA to participate in the President's / Leukemia Cup races (the 2-day regatta for one design classes, 11-12 September).  The NOR, sailing instructions, and additional information is available on the NOR/SI page of the PRSA website.  Take a moment now to both register with the LLS and register for the President's / Leukemia Cup Regatta!

Don't hesitate to contact me (apb99@mac.com) or Loree Lipstein at the LLS (Loree.Lipstein@lls.org) if you have any questions about fundraising for the Leukemia Cup or any of the upcoming events.  We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and on the water! 

- Aaron Boesenecker (PRSA Leukemia Cup Representative). 

The LLS is awarding *two* participation prizes this year: one for the club with the highest fundraising total, *and* one for the club with the largest number of boats registered at the Leukemia Cup level ($100 or more in fundraising).  Each award comes with two cases of beer.  

 This year marks the PRSA's 75th anniversary.  Given that this is a special occasion, we can and should be a contender for the second award in particular.  Not only would it be great to have lots of PRSA boats on that t-shirt, but I don't know of any PRSA member that would object to extra beer and some bragging rights!

 All PRSA registrations and fundraising count for these awards, so encourage the members of your respective fleets to register and to start in on some fundraising - we have until this Friday for the t-shirt deadline!

Quick and easy fundraising instructions and tips:

Signing up with the LLS to raise funds is easy!  You just need to fill out the attached form (you can type right into it!) and either email, fax or mail it back to Loree Lipstein at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

Once you've registered with the LLS, you can begin your fundraising.  Boats that raise a minimum of $100 will receive 2 T- shirts, 3 tickets to the post-race party AND a goody bag packed with fun stuff!  If you raise the $100 by Monday August 16th your boat name goes on the front of this year's t-shirt!  Raise even more than $100, and you can win additional fun items (click here to read more). 

Raising the $100 minimum is easy and will take just a few minutes of your time.  Here are four easy ways you can do it:

1.      Personalize your fundraising website (everyone who participates gets their own, if you don't have one yet email Loree.Lipstein@lls.org to get one right away!).  Then email this website out to your contacts and ask for their support.  You will be surprised at how many people respond – you only need 4 people to donate $25 to make the minimum!!

2.      Sell 5 raffle tickets @ $20 each – you are there!  These raffle prizes this year are amazing: the Grand Prize is a choice between an "America's Cup & Stars & Stripes Experience in Sand Diego" for 2 and an "Ocean View Bahamas Cruise" for 2.  For more details, and to receive tickets to sell,  email Kaitlin.McTighe@lls.org – she will send them right to you. There is no obligation – whatever you don't sell just return to LLS.

3.      Recruit a Sponsor!  Sponsorships start at just $250.  Think about where you do business and approach them to donate to LLS in support of your efforts.  It's a win-win!  You get credit for the donation and they get these great benefits at the event!

4.       Do a benefit cruise on your boat!  For all those friends who are dying to spend a nice summer night on the water, organize a evening river cruise, stock your boat with wine and cheese and ask each person who comes along to contribute to your fundraising in exchange for their night on the water.  Think how much the commercial companies charge for their Potomac Cruises… surely your friends would rather ride on your boat and donate to charity instead!

:: Loree Lipstein l Sr. Campaign Manager

:: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society l 5845 Richmond Highway, Suite 800 Alexandria, VA 22303

::703-399-2957 : VOIP 2957 l www.lls.org/nca l Loree.Lipstein@lls.org