Bay Bridge Run

Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Maryland

Lace up and join the NFB National Organization of Parents of Blind Children for a 10k walk/run across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This is your chance to forge connections with your community, empower others to get active, and support education, independence, and opportunities for blind people.

Registration

Registration is now open for the Bay Bridge Run. For link and instructions, please contact Rachel Held or call 410-659-9314, extension 2423.

Participant Toolkit

Download the Bay Bridge Run Participant Toolkit (Word) or access the information below:

Thank you for participating in the Bay Bridge Run in support of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). We need your help to raise at least $500 per participant. Use the following tools to send emails, post on social media, send letters, or ask your family and friends. Each section contains suggested content to share, but feel free to include your own stories, motivations, and thank you’s.

Email Your Family and Friends

Send an email to people asking them to help support Team NFB and contribute in honor of you.

Send our prefilled email.

Subject: Support me in the Bay Bridge Run

I am participating in the Bay Bridge Run to raise awareness and funds for the National Federation of the Blind.

You can help cultivate respect and opportunity for blind people by contributing so we can distribute free white canes, teach kids to read Braille, advocate for educational opportunities, provide employment resources and more.

Please add my name in the "in honor of" field and sponsor me today: https://nfb.org/contribute/baybridge.

If you include my email address in the form, I will receive a notification of your support immediately. And, HumanWare is doubling all contributions up to $50,000.  

Thank you so much for your help!

Share on Social Media

Post one of the following to ask people to support you in the Bay Bridge Run every two weeks!

  • Add your personal story or passion for running and our movement, so people understand why this is important to you.
  • Share images or videos of you preparing. Use alt-text on any images you share.
  • Tag National Federation of the Blind in your post.
  • If you’d like to make a video, use any of these posts as a script!

Draft Post 1

I have joined team National Federation of the Blind (NFB) for the Bay Bridge Run on November 8. My fellow participants and I will be finishing the race to help raise money for the NFB’s important work—advancing the lives of all blind people. My goal is to raise at least $500. Please help support our team and contribute in honor of me today: https://nfb.org/contribute/baybridge. If you include my email address in the form, I will receive a notification of your support immediately. And, HumanWare is doubling all contributions up to $50,000.

Draft Post 2

I am excited to be on team National Federation of the Blind for the Bay Bridge Run on November 8. We are running to help raise money to advance the lives of blind people. Please help me reach my goal of at least $500 by contributing today. Thank you for your support: https://nfb.org/contribute/baybridge. If you include my email address in the form, I will receive a notification of your support immediately. And, HumanWare is doubling all contributions up to $50,000.

Draft Post 3

On November 8, I am going to be participating in the Bay Bridge Run to help raise money for the National Federation of the Blind. Please help support this important mission to advance the lives of blind people: https://nfb.org/contribute/baybridge. If you include my email address in the form, I will receive a notification of your support immediately. And, HumanWare is doubling all contributions up to $50,000.

Script for Word-of-Mouth Marketing

During conversations, please let people know you are participating in the Bay Bridge Run and how they can help support you and this mission to advance the lives of blind people. Here is a short script as an example:

I’m excited to be participating in the Bay Bridge Run in November to help advance the lives of blind people. I will be running in support of the National Federation of the Blind, and your support would be greatly appreciated. You can give in my honor online, or by calling the NFB at 410-659-9314, extension 2430. I can text or email you the link to make it easy! If you include my email address in the form, I will receive a notification of your support immediately. And, HumanWare is doubling all contributions up to $50,000.

[text or email the link: https://nfb.org/contribute/baybridge] 

Note: if giving the URL to someone verbally, it may be best to give them nfb.org/movers which has the donate option to support a participant on the page.

Form Letter for Mailing

Dear Friend,

This November, I will be participating in the Bay Bridge Run as a proud member of team National Federation of the Blind (NFB). As I prepare to take on this challenge, I’m asking for your support; Not just for me, but for the thousands of blind people whose lives are changed through the work of the National Federation of the Blind.

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day they raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and their dreams. Their collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

By making a contribution in support of my race, you will help the NFB continue this important work. Your generosity supports programs and initiatives that support and empower blind children, students, working adults, seniors, and families.

Making a gift is easy:

  • Visit https://nfb.org/contribute/baybridge to make a secure online donation.
  • Be sure to write my name in the "in honor of" field.
  • If you include my email address in the form, I will receive a notification of your support immediately. 
  • Give over the phone by calling 410-659-9314, extension 2430 and mention my name and the Bay Bridge Run.
  • Send a check made out to NFB to 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230. Be sure to include "Bay Bridge Run" and my name in a note or on the memo line.

And, HumanWare is doubling all contributions up to $50,000.

Every gift helps advance the mission of the NFB. Thank you for encouraging me as I train and for investing with me in a future where blind people can live the lives they want.

With gratitude,

[Your name and any relevant contact information]

Thank You Template

It’s as important to thank our donors for their support as it is to ask them for their support. Use the template below as a way to thank those who contribute in your honor. If you’re sending this after your race, you can also include a photo of you from race day. We strongly encourage you to thank your donors individually as soon as you learn of their contributions. You can also send or post a general thank you after your event has ended.

Thank you so much for your support in my fundraising effort for the National Federation of the Blind at the Bay Bridge Run! Thanks to you, I am working toward/have reached my goal of at least $500 which is already being used to help blind people to live the lives they want. Your contribution means so much to me—thank you for giving in my honor.

Flyer

There is a printable download flyer that can be shared throughout your community, posted on bulletin boards, left at restaurant cash registers, and more. Be sure to thank any place that lets your flyer be posted, and we encourage you to let them know how things went and share more about the Federation with them!

To Our Participants

Thank you! We cannot do this work alone. Your support helps us to transform dreams into reality. Have a great time at the Bay Bridge Run!