Easy Ways to Give
Volunteer Fundraising Events
Each year, many of our amazing SADS families host volunteer fundraising events to support the SADS Foundation. There are as many ideas as there are families from throughout the United States. Take a look at the following ideas for inspiration for your own fundraising event to support families and save young lives with SADS conditions.
Please contact Jan at jan@sads.org if you want to plan an event.
Annual Events
Brittany’s Trees
Thanksgiving Weekend
One special neighborhood in Carol Stream, Illinois, started selling small Christmas Trees – complete with three strings of white lights and a base in 2005. It started small to honor Brittany Valene who died of LQT syndrome at the age of 8, but now they sell more than 2,000 trees every year. It’s beautiful to drive through the neighborhoods of Chicagoland with all the glowing trees. A how-to manual is available and the Brittany’s Trees team is happy to talk with anyone about starting this event in their neighborhood. To date $463,000 have been raised.
Tap & Growler Evening
Celebrating Ruben’s Birthday
February
This event is hosted by Grace Arroyo, family and friends in Sayreville, New Jersey, at the Tap & Growler to honor what would be the birthday of her son Ruben Rodriguez who passed away from Brugada Syndrome at age 25 in 2022. The event features food and drink, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle as well as customized shirts and SADS bracelets for sale. All proceeds benefit the mission of the SADS Foundation.
Jumpathon in Memory
of Brian Price
February
The Shelton School Jumpathon in Dallas, Texas is one of the longest running and most successful volunteer fund-raisers for the SADS Foundation!
This very special event has taken place each year since the year 2000 in memory of Brian Price, who died at age 15 of Long QT Syndrome. Brian was the son of Kathy Price Martin, former Shelton teacher, and grandson to former long-time Shelton School Lower School head Betty Glasheen. The Jumpathon was originally organized each year by Betty and members of the Price family, but now Dana Rubin who is a teacher at the school is in charge. Proceeds support SADS families through the SADS Foundation.
Motorcycle Ride and Pig Roast in Memory of Chad Stamper
June
This special event is hosted by the Stamper Family in Brookpark, Minnesota, as a legacy to Chad who passed away from WPW. The ride is led in the morning by the Stamper family and ends in the afternoon with food, raffles, silent auction items, and games at a local saloon. Proceeds support local AEDs in the community and the mission of the SADS Foundation.
Ryan Weidler Memorial
Golf Tournament
July
The O’Donnell, Weidler, and Speece Families began this tournament in 2006 featuring golf, wine and beer, dinner, and a whole lot of fun in memory of Ryan Weidler in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Proceeds the SADS Foundation’s dedication to research, families, and saving lives as well as CHOP Youth Heart Watch – an affiliate of Project ADAM.
Rachel’s Race
September
This race is in memory of Rachel Lancour who died in her sleep May 20, 2015 and was a victim of Long QT Syndrome. This Annual 5k and 10k run take place at Skelly’s Farm Market and the scenic roads surrounding it. The 1-mile fun walk happened on the farm and includes family activities along the way. The Lancour Family and Friends raise funds to enhance LQTS research, education and early recognition to help prevent further tragedies.
West Park Pub Crawl
September
The Gonthier Family from Roseville, California, hosts this day-long to support West Park Roseville small businesses and raise awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrests. All proceeds benefit the SADS Foundation in their efforts to provide powers life-saving research and medical education, patient advocacy, and awareness for SADS conditions.
Blazing Barracudas Swim Meet in Memory of Stevie Grieshammer
October
This annual swim meet was organized by the members of Blazing Barracudas swim team of Cleveland, Ohio, in 2018 to remember and honor Stevie Grieshammer who loved swimming competitively with the team. He was a great teammate who encouraged all to work hard and be the best swimmer they could be. Stevie died at age 17 of a SADS condition. Participants in the swim meet raise awareness and raise funds for research to prevent SADS deaths.
A Run/Walk to Save a Life in
Honor of Christopher Andreozzi
October
The Andreozzi Family of Hamden, Connecticut, hosts this event in memory of Chris who passed away suddenly from sudden cardiac death caused by an arrhythmia on May 23, 2023. In addition to the race, health care workers are on site to educate attendees on how to perform CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to save lives. Proceeds are donated to the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) to advance research, medical education and to ultimately prevent these avoidable young deaths from cardiac arrhythmias.
And the Beat Goes On Benefit
Concert featuring the
North of Luck Band
October
This benefit concert is hosted by the Kennedy Family and happens in Cedar Park, Texas. It’s a beautiful night full of fun, love and music celebrating the amazing recovery of Matthew Kennedy from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Proceeds benefit the SADS Foundation to support families and save young lives.
Fun Runs
Many families host different types of fun runs such as a friendly 5K or something more elaborate such as a combination run of different distances with awards runners in different categories. Also include beverages and snacks to keep up the energy of all the runners. Additionally, you can raise funds on behalf of the SADS Foundation by joining an established run. A how-to manual is available.
Silent or Live Auctions
Contact local merchants and businesses about donating goods or services to be auctioned off to raise funds for the SADS Foundation. Remind them that all donations are tax deductible and great advertising. The SADS Foundation staff can help with solicitation and tax receipt letters. The auction can be held in conjunction with many of the event ideas listed here.
Tournaments: Golf, Tennis, Bowling
Many community and private courses, courts or lanes will assist in arranging for a tournament with as few as 24 players and as many as 144. You can add food and prizes to the festivities, secure sponsors, and charge an entrance fee to raise funds. After expenses, the net proceeds are given to the SADS Foundation.