ACA International members changed things up this year through virtual fundraisers, raffles and dress-up days, with the same mission to support the ACA International Education Foundation.
8/6/2020 9:00
As they did with other events in recent months, ACA International and the ACA International Education Foundation (ACAEF) pivoted the 2020 Collectors Challenge into a virtual fundraiser to allow members to still participate and connect during these challenging times—and have some fun.
For ACA, that also meant extending the time companies had to participate. This year, Collectors Challenge was held from June 1 through the end of July to accommodate members as they faced unusual circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collectors Challenge offered member companies the perfect opportunity to have some fun for a good cause—the ACAEF Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship Program—even if it meant doing so over Zoom or other virtual platforms.
ACA’s FUN Committee got together and came up with ideas for how everyone could participate in this challenge, while still abiding by social distancing guidelines and building on the success of 2019’s events. ACA’s events, which yielded more than $800 for the ACAEF, included:
- A Virtual Walk/Run/Bike-A-Thon. Employees pledged how much per mile they would walk/run/bike during the Collectors Challenge and donated 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: ACA developed some fun gift packs including T-shirts, mugs and gift cards, to bid on in support of the Education Foundation. This was a perfect activity to get creative and make fun baskets or activity packs to bid on.
- Virtual Happy Hour: Employees submitted a drink recipe to help create a drink recipe book. The 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 last year and knew it was an important cause for 2020. Staff donated $2 to plant a tree; $1 went to the tree planting and $1 went to the Education Foundation.
ACA focused on simple participation ideas this year that still reminded participants that Collectors Challenge is a fun way for employees to work together for a good cause. By supporting the ACAEF, you can help create a more positive public image of the industry and encourage your colleagues to take pride in their work.
Collectors Challenge 2020 fell during a trying time for ACA members and the accounts receivable management industry, but still provided important opportunities for companies to connect while working remotely. Thank you to our members who supported the ACAEF and Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship Program in 2020.
Here are a few ways ACA member companies participated:
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, plus 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. American Profit Recovery also donated to the ACAEF in exchange for each picture an employee shared of their participation in Collectors Challenge.
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 who 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.
Tax deductible contributions of any amount may be made on the ACA International Education Foundation’s website (follow the donation link) or by sending a check to ACA International Education Foundation, 3200 Courthouse Ln, Eagan, MN 55121-1585. 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 @ACAIntl on Facebook and Twitter. Remember, use #CollectorsChallenge2020 #Support4Good and #ACAMembersGiveBack with your posts.
Pictured: William Sustaita, Melissa Nash, Diana Galan and Marc Cohen from Checkmark Collections in West Palm Beach, Florida. participated in the 2020 Collectors Challenge.