Let There Be GOLD Resources

How do you bring people together around a common cause in the midst of a global pandemic? During this challenging time, we can still rally our communities and shine bright for kids with cancer – all it takes is a little extra creativity and care. Below are some ideas to inspire your own action. Stay shiny, stay safe!

Civic proclamations to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (letter template coming soon)
Decorate your window or front door with a GOLD ribbon
GOLD chalk art
Let There Be GOLD coloring contest (download coloring sheet)
Sparkle on social media with our Let There Be GOLD Zoom backgrounds, and frames and filters for Instagram and Facebook!
GOLD goes virtual: host an online story time for kids, livestream a group workout, teach a yoga class or dance class, host your own virtual cooking show…
[This space intentionally left blank – for you to express yourself! Let us know where inspiration takes YOU.]

DIY with Milk and Cookies

Check out this example from two brothers, Kaden and Dean Vellani (ages 6 and 4), who decided that only 4% of our national cancer research budget going towards childhood cancer is NOT enough. And so they put into action their irresistible idea: a Milk & Cookies community event, which raised over $2,000 that will go directly to improving the lives of children with cancer! Thank you to these amazing young leaders for making such a difference in the world, and for building momentum for more to come! Contact us if you would like to host your own Milk and Cookie Stand – it’s a delicious way to support us and the children and families we serve.

Slam Dunk for Social Change

Another example of young people leading the way: sports management students at Rice University organized a 3v3vCancer Basketball Tournament, the school’s first-ever fundraiser for pediatric cancer research. They filled their bracket with 32 teams, with players coming from the Rice student body, faculty, and beyond, and raised over $18,000 for much-needed childhood cancer research at Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

Business and Community Outreach

Be a voice for kids and reach out to local businesses to see if they’d like to show support and help raise awareness. There are many ways for businesses to get involved – it can be as simple as putting up a flyer with facts about childhood cancer, or donating a portion of sales – or get creative! See this handy flyer for talking points and opportunities.

Organize, Advocate, Ignite!

Show your support by wearing a GOLD ribbon, or your finest gold swag! You can also purchase a Let There Be GOLD t-shirt from our Swag Store (coming soon), with all proceeds going towards research and programs that improve the lives of children with cancer
Art supply drive for your local children’s hospital (or ask for art supply donations at your next birthday party!)
Car wash
Bake sale
Fashion show
Basketball tournament
Spirit Days to raise awareness
Lemonade Stand

If you can imagine it, we encourage you to do it!

Get Social

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – stay tuned throughout September for stories, facts, and inspiration in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and please share! Use your social media as a platform for awareness. Check out our Social Media Toolkit for sample messages, an image library, and other digital materials.

Get ready to shine bright online with our special Let There Be GOLD photo filters and frames for Facebook and Instagram (coming soon)!

Download a Let There Be GOLD virtual background for your Zoom calls! Zoom backgrounds: gold confetti; gold parade.

Fundraise on Facebook

It’s easy as 1-2-3 to create your own fundraiser on Facebook!

Visit The Faris Foundation on Facebook, select the “Fundraisers” tab and “Create a Fundraiser.” Use this link to get directly there.
The fundraiser page will be pre-populated with information, which you can edit to create a fundraiser that’s right for you! Select your goal amount to raise (even if you don’t reach the goal, any funds raised will still be donated to The Faris Foundation) and personalize the fundraiser title and description so that your friends understand why this cause means so much to you.
Share it far and wide! Let your friends and contributors know that they are a beacon of hope for children and families affected by cancer, and that The Faris Foundation is incredibly grateful for their support!

Volunteer

The GOLDEN spirit of service is needed now more than ever, and it is so important to continue to show up for families affected by childhood cancer in this difficult year. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Contactless meal delivery
Virtual prayer circle
Decorate a family’s house or yard with gold
Gift cards for families
Send a text: “I’m thinking of you this September, and the gold ribbon is important to me” is a powerful message

In previous years, our recommendations have included:

Volunteer at your local children’s cancer center
Send a card to a child at your local children’s cancer center or hospital
SHOW up for families affected by cancer – set up a meal and care calendar (try Meal Train)
Organize or participate in a blood drive
Organize a toy drive for your local hospital