|
MAIN SPONSORS
|
What is our problem?
Obesity is reaching crisis level in the U.S. and is heading to surpass smoking as the #1 preventable cause of death in our nation. Governments from federal to state and local, as well as businesses large and small are realizing that the health of their citizens and employees affects their bottom lines, because it costs them more in health insurance, productivity and morale.
Columbus County is in the middle of this body mass mess, with high numbers of people who are overweight and who suffer from diseases and maladies associated with obesity and excess weight. This costs businesses and governments here hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
But the difference between our county and the rest of the nation is that we are actively doing something about our situation, with: Columbus County Drops a Ton.
What are we doing?
A protracted series of events based on a countywide collective weight-reduction project. Hundreds of county residents will pledge to lose weight for a total of at least 2,000 pounds.
* Project will be unveiled Sept. 24, 2005. Participants will be invited through: governments, schools, churches, businesses and other groups.
* People can join up through the fall of 2005.
* Participants will choose 5 healthy goals to meet, only one of which may be to lose weight. They may also quit smoking, eat healthier foods or adopt other healthy habits. If they meet their goals, they will qualify for prize drawings, which should include:
PRIZES:
A one-ton pickup truck. Either a clunker, a beater or a one-year lease on a new one.
Other prizes include one ton of (imagination is key):
Bricks
Gravel
Bottled water
Pine straw
Newspaper (subscriptions)
Floor tile
Grass (about 12 mowings?)
Manure fertilizer
Meals (to a ton of people)
Animal feed
Vacation (a ton of weight off your shoulders?)
What will it cost us?
Expenses for this 12-month project are expected to surpass $10,000, including:
Literature - About 100,000 posters, handouts, forms, etc.
Promotion - Hundreds of signs, posters and banners
Prizes - Some will be donated, but some will not.
Web site - www.dropaton.org
Events - At least three special events
This project will be at least 12 months long, and The News Reporter will provide thorough news coverage as well as donate several cooperative advertisements, where sponsor names and logos will be presented. These will also appear in the News Times and Columbus Extra. The project will also have presence at the major festivals throughout the county.
Funding Sources
To maximize participation in this project, there must be no cost to the participant, so funding will come mainly from sponsors, who are expected to enjoy exposure for at least 12 months in these media:
Main Sponsorship - $1,000
Newspaper: Rotation in monthly-to-weekly co-op ads in The News Reporter, The News Times and Columbus Extra
Posters: Listing on 1,500 wall posters for countywide distribution
One or more traveling exhibits
Banners: One outdoor (large) and two for indoor at events.
Listing on sponsor banners given to each large sponsor to display.
Web site: Logos on main page with links to corporate web sites
Telephone Hotline: Rotation on menu selections
Main sponsors may also participate in co-op promotions on give-away items, such as: pens, pencils, t-shirts, buttons, etc. - for participants, for a cost of about $300-$400. The sponsor's name will appear on the item along with the project.
Small Business; 'Community Partner' - $100
Newspaper: Listing in two co-op display ads in The News Reporter
Sign: You will receive a two-color window sign to announce partnership.
Timepiece: You will receive a quartz wall clock with Drop A Ton logo.
Web site: Listing on sponsor page with links to corporate web sites
|
Organizational Sponsors
Body Shapers
Coaching for Excellence
Columbus County Healthy Carolinians
Columbus County Health Dept.
Columbus County Parks & Recreation Dept.
Greater Whiteville Chamber of Commerce
N.C. Coop Extension
Southeastern Community College
Endorsements
Columbus County
City of Whiteville
Town of Lake Waccamaw
Town of Tabor City
Town of Fair Bluff
U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre
State Senator R.C. Soles
State Representative Dewey Hill
Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue
L.A. Clippers player Chris Wilcox
Community Partners
Baldwin Woods Gynecology
Baldwin Woods Pharmacy
Collier’s Jewelers
Farm Bureau Ins.- Lee Croom
Curves
Darryl Diefes D.D.S.
Kramers Mens & Ladies Stores
Columbus Eye Associates
Medicap Pharmacy
Mother Nature’s Cupboard
Quiznos
Sub-sational
Subway
Sugar & Spice Dancewear
Harold & Evelyn Troy
Ernie Ward D.D.S.
Wal-mart
Whiteville City Schools
Williamson & Walton Attys.
State Farm - Mary Williamson
|
