ABOUT A MILLION STEPS FOR COURAGE CAMPAIGN

 

OUR ORGANIZATION

 

Kids of Courage is a groundbreaking volunteer-centric organization, dedicated to the support of sick children and their families, day and night, 365 days a year. Founded in 2008, Kids of Courage is committed to change the way people look at illness, and open up a world of support, hope and opportunity for every sick child and family, no matter how serious the diagnosis is.

 

 
 
Our heroic children - “Couragers” - battle for their lives, sometime for every breath. They inspire others with their strength, tenacity and dazzling will to live. We are giving them the opportunity to live like other children and experience life in the best way imaginable. We help them forget the tubes and pumps and needles and the daily challenges and experience the thrills of carefree childhood happiness. But Kids of Courage is also about the families who care for their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters every day without rest. By providing year-round activities for the entire family and medically supervised dream trips, we give them an opportunity to relax and recuperate from the physically and emotionally exhausting lifestyles they lead.
 
THE VIRTUAL RACE
 
Inspired by Couragers, Race for Courage has learned from this global pandemic that we must adapt and grow rather than give up. That is why we have decided to pursue a socially and medically responsible take on our race platform. Having organized race teams since 2011, Race for Courage is going virtual this year toallow our runners to train and participate with greater flexibility, setting their own fitness goals, going at their own pace, and doing all of this in the location of their choice.
 
Our participants– EVERYONE! If you can run, walk, crawl, push a wheelchair, be pushed in a wheelchair, etc. then you fit right into the Race for Courage family. We would love for you, your friends, your family, your co-workers, or that stranger you bonded with in line at the DMV to lace up and join the team.
 
Our race– In honor of our 10th year running (10 years!!!), literally and figuratively, Race for Courage is designating a virtual course from New York to Los Angeles - the site of our very first Kids of Courage trip!
 
From February 1st to March 27th, any time you record a run/jog/walk or any method of movement, either manually through the Charity Footprints app - honor system, please be accurate - or through a fitness tracker or app, your avatar will move along our designated virtual course map from NY to LA - 2,445 miles will be one virtual lap across the country. All participants can set individualized fitness and fundraising goals.
 
How do I get started, participate and help even more?

 

STEP 1: Register!

Click on any of the REGISTER NOW buttons to create a user profile and register for $36!

 

STEP 2: Set Up Your Device. Join or Start a Team. Track Your Support!

Set up your fitness device using the How It Works instructions. Start logging your activity on February 1. Consider joining or starting your own team to help motivate activity and healthy competition with other teams. Easily start your own personal fundraising page and post it to social media to help encourage donations where pledged funds you receive from your circle will help motivate you to hit your goals.

 

STEP 3: Use your influence. Get Active!

Connect with your social network to help raise awareness and reach your fitness and fundraising goals. Share your progress regularly on social media by posting pictures and short videos to spread the word. Remember to tag Kids of Courage (@KidsofCourage and @RaceforCourage) and include the #RaceforCourage hashtag to start a social media movement and get steppin'!

Your participation and support will create smiles and lifelong memories for a Courager...
 
 
 
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
 
The objective of this race program is to help further our organization's mission of enriching the lives of sick children and their families, while also promoting healthier life habits for our participants. However, we would also love to thank those that have put in the time and effort to turn these dreams into realities. That is why we have set up a tiered incentive program for our participants.
 
*Please note that, other than the swag bag available to all participants who reach the minimum, these incentive packages are not cumulative.
 
FITNESS GOAL
COMPLETED: 6,460,250 steps
TARGET: 4,000,000 steps
FUNDRAISING GOAL
RAISED: $ 39,805
TARGET: $ 500,000
You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong. ~ Sue Fitzmaurice
Come join us and leave your footprints from New York to LA!
HOW IT WORKS
Register for the campaign and set your fitness & fundraising targets.
Click here to set-up your devices (Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, Google Fit, Misfit, Strava), or download our iOS or Android apps.
Share your story and raise funds & awareness.
Track workouts anywhere & anytime and complete goal.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
KIDS OF COURAGE INC.
Kids of Courage is an innovative volunteer-based organization, dedicated to the improving the lives of children and young adults with serious medical diagnoses. Kids of Courage is committed to change the way people look at illness, and open up a world of support, hope and opportunity for every sick child and family, no matter how serious the diagnosis.

Read more about the organization >>

HOW YOUR PARTICIPATION HELPS
Kids of Courage serves hundreds of families from all over the country, Canada, and Israel. The programming goes on all year round; complete with trips, weekends, and fun events. All services provided are free to the children and families. We firmly believe that these families have enough burdens in their lives without worrying about the finances needed to participate in our activities.

K.O.C.’s flagship event is a week-long journey across the United States each summer, giving the Couragers from all over the United States, Canada, Europe, and Israel an opportunity to experience travel and adventure like an able-bodied child while under strict medical supervision. This trip is often the highlight of a child’s year. Additionally, each winter, with the help of Adaptive Sports at Mount Snow, over 50 courageous children embark on a four-day adaptive skiing adventure on Mount Snow in Vermont. These events as well as other programming is funded fully by the charitable donations that we receive from generous donors. Every step you take, every mile you cover, every dollar you raise is an opportunity to create smiles and lifelong memories for a Courager.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Charity Footprints?

Charity Footprints is a social enterprise that connects fitness and charitable giving. We empower people just like you, to get fit & give back.

Our Virtual Races allow non-profits to challenge their patrons to run, walk or ride and raise funds just as they would in a fundraising walkathon. The best part - charities save over 45% in event and logistical costs. So, the dollars that you pay to register or fundraise, go farther.

What is the campaign registration fee?

Campaign registration fee is the amount that you'll need to pay to enroll in this virtual race. This fee (less transaction charges) will go to the non-profit running this campaign as a donation.

The registration fee along with the funds raised through your individual fundraising page will enable the non-profit to fund various programs and pursue their organization's mission.

How can I create my fundraising page?

Well, you wouldn't have to create a separate fundraising page. Once you register for this campaign, we'll give you the link to your fundraising page.

How will I track my distance?

You can track your workouts by setting up your devices (Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, Google Fit, Misfit, Strava), or download the Charity Footprints' iOS or Android app and track your workouts toward this campaign. ?>

If you workout indoors (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike etc.), you can upload your workouts here.

How do I join a team on this campaign?

While registering for the campaign, select the team you'd like to join or create a new team and invite others to #GetFitGiveBack with you. If you want to join a team (or create your team) after registration, login to the campaign site and you would find a link to edit "My Team" in the menu under your profile in the header.

I am an international donor (non-US), what are my donation charges and tax-deductibility?

All donations are made in US dollars, so the donations may be levied an exchange rate fee via your bank. Donors will want to connect with their bank to determine exactly what that fee may be. Additionally, international donors will need to reach out to a tax professional to discuss if and how tax deductibility will apply to their donation.

Who can sponsor my fundraising efforts?

The short answer is - everyone. The fundraising research shows that the number one reason for people not donating is that they weren't asked to.

That said, there are things you can do to attract people to sponsor you. Adding a picture to your fundraising page, telling potential donors why this cause is so personal to you, sharing your fundraising page on social media, email, and chat groups.

Last, if your employer has a gift matching program, check with the human resources department to support your favorite cause as well.

Who can I contact if I need help?

You can contact us any time if you need help. We love hearing from our users so please don't hesitate to write to us about issues, suggestions, or to just say hi. You can also contact the non-profit administrator directly if you would like.

How do I change or switch my team?

If you want to join a team (or create your team) after registration, login to the campaign site and you would find a link to edit "My Team" in the menu under your profile in the header.