Am I Blue....?  Nope!

When I attended the first San Diego Red Dress Run started in my honor, I told those attending that I would like to see the annual event proceeds go for worthwhile charities to benefit others and to help build a positive image of hashers.  Since then, charity Red Dress Runs have taken place all over the world with incredibly successful results.
 

In Australia in August 2004, 100 runners raised $1,500 for a van for St. Vincent De Paul so that services of food and support could be provided to the poor of Hobart and Glenorchy.  In Canada, the Montreal H3 had 80 in attendance and raised $5,500 for the non-profit, Tyndale St. George Community Center, that provides help for children and families of low income.  In 2004, the Montreal H3 had 100 runners in attendance and raised $7,500 in support for The Cedar Cancer Institute.  San Diego H3 has promised support to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (Robin Williams� favorite charity) again this year.  In 2004 with over 2000 attending, they raised over $35,000 and held the Red Dress Run at the Cruise Ship Terminal in San Diego with nearly everything needed donated.
 

To begin making your Red Dress Run a charity event, think about the charities in your area that need help and touch a special place in your heart.  Supporting something your Hash believes in makes the event even more fun and you don't mind all the work it takes to make it happen.  Start with a game plan.  Think about how you will approach the charity.  Know what they stand for and do some research to find out about them.  The more you can show you know, the more they will believe you care. Your sincerity will give a good image to what is thought of as just a beer drinking club.  When you meet with the charity, bringing examples of successes other Hash groups have had raising funds can be very persuasive.
 

Figure all expenses and needs into your budget. With promotion of the event through world hash sites devoted to getting the word out, your attendance can be high so figure this in.  Remember to figure in the cost of port-a-johns, trash, printed materials, permits and fees, sound system, as well as gift goodies and beer!  Rentals of tents, lights, heaters or fans may be necessary too.
 

Contacting an event coordinator for their thoughts may be helpful.  Rental companies have take-home lists for events such as weddings.  This may be helpful too.  Once expenses are figured, the ticket price can be set.  The price should reflect how large the event will be.
 

Some, such as San Diego, have three bands and separate stage areas as well as one for VIPs.  Most have a pre-lube run the night before as a get to know you casual event that is pay-as-you-go.  Some have a central hotel area with a keg available for the weekend where hashers can visit.  Most have a recovery run the next morning and often light foods like muffins, bagels and juice are given out along with aspirin.
 

To keep the costs down, once you have a cause to run for, seek out as many donations from vendors, food, beer, water and other suppliers, event site costs and everyone else you work with including favors to attendees and printing costs.  If you have a Letter of Incorporation, 501 and letter of recognition of your support from the charity, most businesses will offer you large discounts �  if not give it to you for free, in exchange for promotional recognition. By helping you out, they are helping themselves since their donation is a tax write-off. Be sure to prominently display the contributing sponsors� names.  Take a picture of the banner or sign with their company on it and mail it to them with the thank you send later along with perhaps a fun photo or two of the event.  If funds allow, a small plaque or framed letter of thanks about the event with a picture is always nice and makes them want to not only hang it in their business where others will see it and learn about the hash but, it will help to make them want to contribute again the next year.  Also talk it up to the press about who is sponsoring.  Make sure if interviewed for TV news and press photographers, you are standing where the sponsors sign can be seen.  A thank you to the police and fire department with a photo by the sponsors� names is always good.  Thank them for their cooperation and help to make the event such a success.  Be sure to include in the letters the amount raised for that charity.  It is hard to hate a group that is doing so much community good and loved by those sponsoring them!  Leniency and understanding may be had in future days of Hashing because of this!
 

With the support of a charity, you are thought of in a very good light by not only the charity but the city, police and press.  Let everyone know about the event way ahead of time!  Get the proper permits.  Put together a press packet explaining what Hash House Harriers is, it's history and yours as well as the Red Dress Run, information about your charity, sponsors and runs held in the past as well as in other world wide locations and send it out with invitations to the TV stations and newspapers and don't forget the little guys.  Leave no one out.  Invite the mayor and city officials, your sponsors and charity.  Chances are they won't attend but they will think this was a nice gesture.  On the invites to all, let them know that everyone wears a red dress, what fun to expect and that people will be attending from all over the world!
 

Include with the press packet and invitation, whatever goodies those attending will be getting. Everyone loves a freebie.  Be sure to give them some other goodies when they come!  Press really can say some nice things if you flatter them a bit.
 

Get creative with the event.  Make it the best run you hold each year and word will spread and attendance will grow.  Planning is the secret to a great event.  Diagram out where everything takes place, along with the times and who handles what.  Give the written info out to them all with contact phone numbers so there are no questions or confusion later.
 

Be sure to set up areas for Check In, Information, Lost & Found and Messages, a First Aid Station and, of course, Sales.  This is when you can unload all that old inventory along with stickers, tattoos, and event merchandise.  People will want to remember your event and will be willing to pay!  A VIP area is good for where press and take interviews and the organizers can be found.
 

Do not forget food, beer and port-a-john areas!  It is also advisable to work out a deal at a close at hand hotel for the out-of-towners and set up info of the event on your Web site.  Transportation for those in need from out of town is important too.  Maps on the Web site help those unfamiliar with the area.
 

The important thing is to have fun!  Sing songs, give out prizes, take incriminating photos, drink beer and sashay when you wear that Red Dress! If the simple steps here are followed, as well as those you will think of and everyone keeps their Hash sense of humor, the event will be something that hash history and your charity of choice will remember always.