2024 Strides for Stronger Families FAQ

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Why isn’t the Strikes for Stronger Families Bowl-a-Thon happening this year?

This year, the Bowl-a-Thon is not taking place due to a change in ownership at our current bowling venue. Unfortunately, this transition has resulted in increased pricing, making it challenging for us to maintain the affordability of the event. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to join us in our alternative event, the Strides for Stronger Families Fitness Challenge, as we continue our commitment to supporting NVFS’ SERVE Campus.

How does this year’s event work?

We’re excited to introduce the Strides for Stronger Families Fitness Challenge—a virtual event aimed at supporting NVFS’ SERVE Campus. You can recruit a team or participate as an individual. There is no limit to the number of participants on each team!

When does the actual fitness challenge take place?

March 11 to March 18, a 7-day challenge unfolds for your fitness journey. Your goal? Achieve 50 minutes of movement daily, marking NVFS’ 100-year milestone. What’s cool? You pick the workout – whether it’s a jog, a walk, a dance, or whatever moves you.

It’s not just about sweating it out; it’s about shaking up your routine while supporting NVFS’ SERVE Campus. Everything happens online, so you can join in from your neighborhood, your local park, gym, or the comfort of your home.

But wait, there’s more! This challenge is about community. Get your family, friends, and colleagues to chip in and donate. Every dollar goes to NVFS’ mission and the vital SERVE Campus programs.

Is there a registration fee to participate?

Participation this year comes with no registration fee! However, we encourage each participant to aim for a suggested fundraising minimum of $100. Our Peer-to-Peer fundraising platform makes the process incredibly simple, allowing you to reach out to your network effortlessly while sharing the word of what NVFS does for the community.

Why are you asking me to fundraise?

We rely on supporters like you to help us provide critical year-round services for the Greater Prince William Community: an emergency shelter, rapid re-housing assistance, food and financial support for rent and utility payments, early childhood development services, and referrals for free or reduced-cost medical and dental care for children and adults. Funds raised through events like Strides are the reason we’re able to do more each year to meet the needs of our community. That’s why we need you to get involved!

How do I log my fitness activity minutes on my fundraising page?

Download the free STRAVA app prior to Challenge Week if you want to log your activity directly from your smartphone (you will be prompted to connect to your Strava account when you register). Fitness activity minutes/hours can also be input manually through your personal page under “record fitness activity.” The synced connection can be made on the first day of the Challenge on March 11.

Can I collect cash or checks for my fundraiser?

As a virtual challenge participant and fundraiser, you have the option of accepting cash and/or checks from your supporters. You can enter them right into our online platform so it is counted towards your goal right away. Cash and checks can be turned into NVFS in the following 2 ways:

1. Checks should be made out to Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS). You can send any funds you have received to:

Attn: NVFS Development/The Moxley 4090 Gateway Drive Fairfax, VA 22030

2. Make a credit card payment to cover your offline donations through our online peer-to-peer platform in your participant dashboard.

Any good ideas for helping motivate my team members to participate?

Remember to keep the atmosphere positive and encouraging throughout the challenge. Regular communication and support will go a long way in keeping team members motivated and excited about the Strides for Stronger Families Virtual Fitness Challenge. We’ve seen great examples of teams organizing their own fitness activity to promote socialization within their team. This could involve gathering for a hike, meeting up for a park walk route, or organizing a virtual meeting with desk chair yoga.

How can I support with joining the Strides for Stronger Families Fitness Challenge?

We are very grateful for any support, whether you participate in our virtual fitness challenge or not. If you’d like to make a general donation, hover over “Donate” at the top of your screen until a drop-down menu appears and click “Make a Donation.”

If you’d like to make a donation towards a participant’s or team’s fundraising goal, click “Donate to a Participant/Team” and then using the search feature to find their name. Once you have found them, click on the “Donate” button underneath their name and follow the prompts.

Can’t join us for the Fitness Challenge in March, but you are interested in starting your own steps/fitness/walk/run challenge for your company, school, or civic group?

We can set this virtual team-building event up for you! Reach out to Jessica Warren at JWarren@nvfs.org or 571.748.2671.