Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is there a cost associated with the Walk?

A. This is a fundraiser to help Hope Ministries serve the homeless in our community, so your generous financial support is very much appreciated. The minimum suggested individual donation is $25 to participate in the event. We encourage you to set a personal goal and seek people to sponsor you with a financial gift or pledge.

Q. Am I required to pre-register or can I register the day of the Walk?

A. We would appreciate if you pre-register for the Walk. It will speed things up when you check in the day of the Walk. You can pre-register online. Or, you can also pre-register by contacting us at (515) 265-7272 or info@hopeiowa.org. Those who register the day of the Walk will be invited to donate a minimum of $25.

Q. How long is the walk?

A. This is a noncompetitive walk. Copper Creek Lake is 1.22 miles around the paved walking path. You are welcome to walk as many times as you’d like. Some will choose to walk more than once. It’s totally up to you.

Q. Can I organize and walk as a team?

A. Yes. We encourage you to set a goal and recruit your company, coworkers, church, family, friends or others to join your team. After pre-registering, you will be contacted to attend a team leader meeting to learn more and receive a team packet. To learn more about participating as a team, just click here.

Q. If I am able to recruit people to sponsor me with gifts or pledges, are they required to walk with me the day of the Walk?

A. No. Your financial sponsors are not required to walk with you. Some may have schedule conflicts that day, but they can still sponsor you as a walker and make a pledge. However, you will want to encourage your family, friends and coworkers to sponsor you with a pledge AND walk with you. Your sponsors will be making a single, generous, tax-deductible gift or pledge for your participation in the Walk, instead of sponsoring you on a per-mile basis.

Q. Do I need to collect the money from my sponsors before the Walk?

A. No. You do not need to collect the money from your sponsors. Simply return your completed participation form(s) the day of the Walk. Hope Ministries will collect the pledges from your sponsors through the mail after the Walk. However, if any of your sponsors want to give you money before the Walk, please mark “Paid Cash” or “Paid Check” below their names on the form, and turn in their checks and/or cash with your participation form the day of the Walk. All checks should be made out to Hope Ministries; write “Walk” in the memo.

Q. How much can I raise for the Walk?

A. There really is no limit. You set your personal goal. You might be surprised how easy it is to ask people to sponsor your cause for the homeless. If you reach $200 or more in gifts and pledges, you will receive a FREE Walk T-shirt on the day of the Walk.

Q. What if I can’t be there the day of the Walk?

A. No problem. Find a day when you can walk on your own. You could even have your own private prayer walk for the homeless and then mail in your participation form or bring it to our main office at 5075 E. University, Suite B, Pleasant Hill, Iowa 50327. You can also choose to raise money for the Walk by creating your own personal fundraising Web page. Click here for more details.

Q. What if it rains the day of the Walk?

A. Hope Ministries will hold the event rain or shine—so bring your umbrella and walk! But if you’re not comfortable doing that, don’t worry. Simply deliver your form to us at the event site the day of the Walk, then walk when the weather is better. Or mail your form to the address in the previous answer and walk at your convenience.

Q. Is there a certain way to ask someone to sponsor me, and who should I ask?

A. Ask as many people as you can. Simply say something like, “I am walking in the Hope Ministries walk-a-thon to help the homeless. Would you consider sponsoring me with a pledge?” Possible sponsors could include coworkers, staff, your supervisor, parents, siblings, cousins, members of your church, clubs, neighbors, students, those in your address book (ask about our “out-of-town sponsor letter”), your Facebook and Twitter friends, your e-mail list and previous sponsors if you walked last year.

Q. Can I set up a personal fundraising Web page and use the paper participation form?

A. You can do both, actually. You can use the participation form AND you can use a personal fundraising Web page where you can be an online fundraiser for the Walk. Then your friends, family and acquaintances can go online and sponsor you with a direct donation.

Q. What else is there to do in Pleasant Hill?

A. We’re glad you asked! We are partnering with area businesses for coupons and discounts that day on food and entertainment for the whole family. Packets with valuable coupons and other special offers will be provided to registered and paid walkers.