Raise Pledges on the Web!

Now you can "Walk on the Web" by using the Internet to bring in more pledges for the COTS Walk!

All it takes is setting up your own personal fund-raising web page at www.firstgiving.com -- a secure website that will transfer credit card pledges in your name directly to COTS. You have total control over the look of your page and what it says, and you can see at a glance who has donated to you and the amounts.

It's easy for your donors, too, because they can make a secure donation immediately, receive an instant thank-you (which you may personalize) and receive a receipt for tax purposes.

We have selected firstgiving.com because we have experience with it and because, unlike similar Web services, there is no costly sign-up fee. (Firstgiving.com does keep 7% of the donation amount to cover credit-card fees and pay for the use of its site, however.)

IT'S EASY TO SET UP!

Just visit www.firstgiving.com and click on "Start Fundraising," then "Other." You will be asked how long your page will be collecting pledges; the minimum is 6 months, so select that.

On the next page, locate COTS by searching for an ORGANIZATION in VERMONT and entering our full name -- Committee on Temporary Shelter -- then "select."

Next you'll need to provide your email address, contact information and a password you'll use to access your fund-raising page. You'll then be provided your own personal fund-raising web page for COTS. You can change the name of your page to anything you'd like, as long as it's not already taken.

From there you can set up your page! You can upload photos, create the page design and more. Most important, you can create a message to people asking them to support you in the COTS Walk, then send it to anyone you specify. You can even upload your email address book and choose people from that.

After you send out your email asking for pledges, you can check back to see how much money you've raised for COTS! All pledges are deposited directly into the COTS account.

Not sure what to say? Below is a sample letter to get you started -- or you can see a "live" fund-raising page for the COTS Walk by clicking HERE .

SAMPLE LETTER FOR YOUR FUND-RAISING PAGE

Thank you for supporting the 2008 COTS Walk and helping me meet my goal!

I have accepted the challenge to raise $1,000 for COTS, the Committee on Temporary Shelter, at this year's COTS Walk on Sunday, May 4th.

Thanks to the Walk sponsors, EVERY CENT raised through the COTS Walk supports shelter and services for homeless families and individuals in the greater Burlington area. COTS operates an overnight shelter and drop-in daytime shelter for adults, two shelters specifically for families, and three buildings offering low-cost permanent and transitional housing for those moving out of shelter.

More information about COTS and the COTS Walk is available at www.cotsonline.org. The focus at COTS is on finding solutions to END homelessness -- not simply creating shelters to house people experiencing the crisis of homelessness. Through its Homelessness Prevention Fund, COTS provides one-time emergency grants to families and individuals facing an eviction or needing money toward a rental deposit. COTS also works with other nonprofit and state agencies to provide a broad away of services and supports to help families and individuals get back on their feet.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to my fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Sincerely, ___