Help for 2008

We need your help for 2008
To learn more about how you, your company, club or organization can help with any of the event or services identified below, please email us at info@snowballexpress.org
	DVD Duplication
		The 2008 Snowball Express DVD will be ready in April and we need 2000 copies to send out to potential donors and sponsors to help spread the word. The job doesn’t need to be done by all one donor/vendor. If you have resources to help defray some or all of these costs, please contact us as soon as possible at info@snowballexpress.org.

	“The Snowball Express Story”
		Snowball Express is publishing a book of the stories as told by the children, surviving parents, relatives, volunteers and donors of what Snowball Express has meant to them. Similar to the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, this book will be both inspirational and informative about our organization. The book will be sold, but also given to each Snowball Express family as a gift from the organization and its donors. Costs are estimated to be less than $10,000.

	Give us a ring about bling. We’d like to talk to donors who would like to design a unique piece of jewelry as a gift for the mothers who attend.
		In addition, we’re in need of donors to provide funds for a special silicone bracelet for Snowball Express children to wear and identify “there’s a child just like me” wherever they see one. Cost will be approximately $7000 but can be broken down between several donors, if desired.
	If you or your corporation can help with either of these projects, please contact us at info@snowballexpress.org.

	Disneyland Tickets With 2000 attendees projected for December 2008, we will need approximately $80,000 to pay for tickets. Our hope is that one or more corporations will underwrite this expense; please contact info@snowballexpress.org to arrange this sponsorship.

	Evening to Honor the Families
		One of the three evenings during this year’s December event will be a show/performance with various acts to appeal to all ages. Single or multiple sponsorships of are needed to cover the production costs. Please contact Snowball Express to discuss ways your company could underwrite this event and provide volunteers to help the families that evening.

	Corporate Jet Air Transportation
		Corporate aircraft are needed to assist with flying small groups of families to Orange County, California, either through nationally-known fractional jet charter companies, such as NetJets or other corporate jet services… even if it can only be one way. We were blessed in 2007 with the donation of three chartered aircraft from American Airlines; additionally, Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways and JetBlue Airways generously donated airfare.
	These great airline companies flew nearly 1000 attendees to the event, and for 2008, we’re asking other major airlines and regional partners to step forward and help, as we expect nearly 2000 attendees. Alternate transportation contacts for Greyhound and Amtrak for those families who live within California or adjoining states is also being requested.

	Ground Transportation - Buses & Vans
		We’ll need a minimum of 40 buses available in from December 16-20,2008. Churches, private schools and private coach services are encouraged to provide pro-bono bus services. Individual buses can feature a sign placed on the vehicle crediting sponsorship.
		Services from Super Shuttle or other shuttle services are needed to provide additional support for contingency travel requirements when van service is more efficient, and for departure day back to the airport.

	Insurance We are hoping a major national insurance firm will donate liability and indemnity insurance coverage for the Snowball Express 2008 event and for the Board of Directors going forward. We’re grateful to Adam Bowermaster & Associates for their support last year and this year for their generous donation.

	Administrative & Grant Assistance Volunteers experienced in governmental and non-profit grant writing are needed. Obtaining funds for the ’08 and ‘09 events and programs for future years by applying for qualifying government or non-profit grants would be very useful to the organization. Please send your resume and ways you are willing to help to info@snowballexpress.org.

	IT/Communications
		Computer/phone/two-way radio support during the event would be gratefully appreciated. Assistance in setting up a mobile command post with necessary communication links to volunteers spread throughout Orange County is a valuable operations asset.

	Medical
		The event will run from in mid-December 2008. With 2000 people visiting Orange County, it’s expected that medical situations will develop, requiring pediatricians and other general physicians. Doctors who are willing to donate their time and to be on call for emergencies can contact the Foundation.

	Major Computer Company Donation
		Snowball Express would like to make contact with a major computer maker or distributor of laptop computers. Representatives from Dell, Hewlett Packard, Sony, Apple or other major laptop makers should contact Snowball Express at info@snowballexpress.org to discuss the specifics.

	Fundraising Events Many groups have had fundraisers to benefit Snowball Express, including the Airlift Tanker Transport Capitol Chapter, which sponsored a golf tournament that raised $10,000. Silent auctions, car washes, bake sales and yard sales are other ways funds have come to Snowball Express.

	Some very imaginative fundraising methods include… Couples in Virginia and Florida who encouraged all their wedding guests to make donations to Snowball Express via PayPal on our website in lieu of wedding gifts. Instead of Christmas gifts, a family made donations in the name of family members to help sponsor families to attend Snowball Express. Road racers and marathoners are raising money through donors and sponsors and run in the name of Snowball Express.
		Phil Randazzo, www.defendingfreedom.net has graciously donated over $1.5 million dollars in support of military members and their families, with volunteers selling silicone wristbands purchased at his own expense. Snowball Express is one of the charities he supports. You can visit his website and have the wristbands sent to your home at no charge, then sell them with proceeds coming to Snowball Express. Phil is a great American and his good works are worth recognizing….thanks, Phil!

	Ladies Auxiliary VFW, Rotary Club, American Legion, Kiwanis, Vietnam Veterans of America, and other nationally recognized Service Organizations Snowball Express looks to link the nearly 500 families who have registered with us to local and state service organizations that can help them where they live. Our main event is just a few days a year but many of our families can use help and support year-round, and while they never will ask for help, we work with them families to coordinate assistance. If your service organization is interested in becoming part of the Snowball Express support network, please contact us with your information. We will link up reputable organizations with families who wish to have contact made and allow that relationship to flourish.
	Important Note: we do not release any family’s information to any outside agencies or organizations except with approval by the families. Families are provided the opportunity to connect with the service organizations and do so at their own discretion; Snowball Express merely passes along points of contact.

	Future Events – Dallas Fort Worth, 2009 If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Snowball Express will be looking for major service organizations to assist in the planning and execution of the Snowball Express 2009 event. If your club, chapter or volunteers wish to become a part of that effort, please let us hear from you and become a part of part of the planning process that is already in the works. Contact us at info@snowballexpress.org.

Sponsor a Child or Family's Visit

Any contribution amount is welcome from $1 up. It takes $500 to sponsor a child's trip; $1,500 for a family of three. Tax deductible donations are welcome. To make a donation, please click here.

The Snowball Express is registered with the State of California Attorney General’s Office, Registry of Charitable Trust CT Number 132703

For more information about contributing or fundraising, please email Trisha Marshall, Fund Development Chair.