Try a fundraiser, tree planting or online auction to support the Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship and raise awareness of the accounts receivable management industry’s great work.
3/29/2021 10:30
The ACA International Education Foundation (ACAEF) needs your help to raise money for the Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship Program during Collectors Challenge Month, which kicks off April 1.
ACA has a variety of ideas available in the Collectors Challenge toolkit and communication tools to encourage participation.
These events can be held in person, virtually or both.
If you need more ideas, here are a few ways ACA member companies participated in 2020. Collectors Challenge Month was held in June last year.
American Profit Recovery, Farmington Hills, Michigan
American Profit Recovery held a 50/50 raffle allowing employees to buy raffle tickets or participate in challenges to earn raffle tickets. Half of the proceeds from the raffle was donated to the ACAEF for Collectors Challenge and an employee donated their portion of the raffle winnings to the cause. One of the company’s managers posted weekly video fitness challenges and pledges based on employee participation were donated to the ACAEF. Throughout the month of June, the company also hosted “Spirit Days,” allowing employees to submit pictures associated with the theme of the day and pledged to donate a portion of the employees’ pledges to the foundation.
Checkmark Collections (formerly Accounts Receivables Inc.), West Palm Beach, Florida
The team at Checkmark Collections, led by President Melissa Nash, held its Collectors Challenge activity at a local entertainment and interactive golf gaming center, Drive Shack. The group had T-shirts made for the event and Nash also pledged to donate the amount associated with her score to the ACAEF
Gulf Coast Collection Bureau Inc., Sarasota, Florida
Gulf Coast Collection Bureau held a virtual happy hour for its team as part of the 2020 Collectors Challenge and the company provided a donation to the ACAEF.
Helvey and Associates Inc., Warsaw, Indiana
The ACA member company in Warsaw, Indiana, hosted activities throughout the month of July. The company organized an auction for prizes such as extra breaks during the workday, YMCA passes and other fun items. A local restaurant also donated 20% of the bill to ACAEF on behalf of employees that presented a Helvey and Associates Collectors Challenge coupon. The company also hosted a “tourist dress down day” (think Mickey Mouse ears from Disney World) and a “Helvey’s Got Talent” contest for employees to showcase their performance skills.
ACA is also kicking off its own Collectors Challenge soon and has ideas for how everyone can participate in this challenge, while still abiding by social distancing, and building on the success of 2020’s events.
- A Virtual Walk/Run/Bike-A-Thon. Employees can pledge how much per mile they will walk/run/bike during the Collectors Challenge and donate the total to the Education Foundation.
- Guess the amount in the candy jar: $1 per guess for a chance to win the jar of candy and a gift card.
- Silent Auction: Last year, ACA developed some fun gift packs including T-shirts, mugs, and gift cards, to bid on in support of the Education Foundation. This is a perfect activity to get creative and make fun baskets or activity packs to bid on.
- Virtual Happy Hour: Employees can submit a drink recipe to help create a drink recipe book. Last year, ACA’s FUN Committee celebrated by hosting a happy hour with a $5 charge to attend. Everyone who participated received a copy of the recipe book.
- Plant a tree community service project. ACA did this in 2019 and 2020 and knew it was an important cause for 2020. Staff donated $2 to plant a tree and $1 goes to the tree planting and the other $1 goes to the Education Foundation.
Remember, Collectors Challenge is a fun way for member companies to work together for a good cause. By supporting the ACAEF, you can help create a more positive public image of the ARM industry and encourage your colleagues to take pride in their work.
Tax deductible contributions of any amount may be made on the ACA International Education Foundation’s website https://www.acainternational.org/about/ief (follow the donation link) or by sending a check to
ACA International Education Foundation
3200 Courthouse Lane
Eagan, MN, 55121.
Please make checks payable to ACA International Education Foundation.
We encourage you and your staff to spread the word about your good work through social media networks. Remember, use #CollectorsChallenge2021 #Support4Good and #ACAMembersGiveBack with your posts.