Most charity runs and walks have a ‘no dogs allowed’ policy. Not so at the Southwestern Guide Dogs walkathons, a series of walking events in Florida that raise money for the organization.

“It’s wonderful to see people bringing their dogs to these events,” says Andy Kramer, the development director of the Palmetto, FL-based nonprofit that has trained hundreds of guide dogs. “You can’t help but see families with their dogs and not smile.”

At each of the nine events held during the summer, Kramer says, the organization’s guide dog trainers are also invited to bring their puppies and current trainee dogs to the event. The puppies, which Kramer calls “Goldadorables,” are a special cross breed of Labradors and Golden Retrievers. “This breed produces wonderful guide dogs that are able to form and nurture partnership with visually impaired individuals, facilitating their life’s journeys with mobility, independence and integrity,” he says.

Promotional items play a major part in the Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathons, starting with fundraising awards. “For example, if someone raises $100 for an event, they get a monogrammed T-shirt,” Kramer says, “$250 gets you a branded tumbler. In addition, every attending dog gets a logoed bandana and we also bring lots of branded promotional items from our gift shop, including hats, shirts and leashes, for sale at our events.”

This year’s events raised a whopping $835,000 for the charity – a new record.

The Guide Dog Walkathons are expanding to two new locations next year. “We’ve been able to grow new events in markets where we are not as well-known via grass roots fundraising campaigns that net us more friends and sponsors and help us provide more dogs to the visually impaired,” Kramer says. “Recently, Publix and Subaru came on board, which shows that success breeds success.”

Also on tap for the 2016 season: Participants will be invited to design the logoed T-shirts that will be used as event giveaways. “We work really hard to build excitement for these events each year, and the promotional products we incorporate really help do that,” Kramer says.

THE JOE SHOW
The Joe Show reveals some of the latest products and promotional ideas available in the market today. Click here to see a brand-new edition of The Joe Show.

Tell Us How Promo Products Worked For You
We want to hear your success stories on how promotional products played a pivotal role in your business strategy. Do you have a new employee welcome gift program? Have you used promo items in an awareness campaign, product launch or charity event? Let us know and we'll feature your case study in the Successful Promotions newsletter, and you'll also be eligible to win a $100 Visa gift card. Send an e-mail to jchaykin@asicentral.com with a brief description of your case study, and we'll contact you for further details.

Swag That Rocks
When you’re a hard-rocking punk band, you need swag that blares as brashly as your distorted bar chords. That’s just what the four-piece group, KNIF, had to offer their audience of pogoing punkers at an early summer show at the Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ. T-shirts with brass knuckle graphics, vinyl stickers bedecked with skulls, buttons with song titles like “Get Dorked” – corporate swag this was not.

And yet, KNIF’s reason for investing in branded merchandise was essentially the same as the most button-downed organization: To project its unique image to audiences with which they want to connect – to get broader, positive exposure that helps win new fans.

“It’s cool to have real things you can put in people’s hands and say, ‘Here, this is what we’re about,’” says Chloe Stewart, KNIF’s drummer. “The hope is that somebody is out wearing your T-shirt or your button and then someone asks them about it. Word starts to spread.”

At the Brighton Bar gig, KNIF had shirts, stickers, buttons and CDs arranged at a merchandise table. While items were for sale, it’s common for the band to give products away, too. “It’s good to just get stuff out there,” says Stewart, whose bandmates are Steve Sherk (vocals), Deane Clapper (guitar) and Tom Sullivan (bass).

For KNIF, black T-shirts with the band’s name spelled inside the finger loops of a brass knuckle design are particularly popular with listeners. Fans also especially appreciate the retro appeal of buttons that feature band members’ faces in black-and-white. “It’s an old-school style that people like,” says Stewart.

And, as KNIF brings its chunky riffs and driving drums to bars, clubs and beyond, you can bet that their swag will go with them. “We have our merch,” says Stewart, “at every show.”

The Uno Cup

The Uno Cup is a BPA free, double walled, re-useable plastic tumbler. It is a Crown exclusive and is always available. A single color imprint is available. The Uno Cup is now available in 6 brand new colors: White/aqua, White/black, White/blue, White/hunter Green, White/purple, and White/red!

Crown • ASI 47700

Save 20% on Dozens of Items!

Save 20% right now on dozens of items, including stylish drinkware, brand-name bags, cool tech accessories and more. But don’t wait too long to start shopping – these special savings end July 31.

Leed's • ASI 66887

Fairytale Brownies
Christmas Treat Combo FC341
Small gift speaks volumes
Say, “Merry Christmas,” loud and clear with this little combo. Snack-size brownies and cookies are tucked inside a vintage-inspired box with festive wishes printed on the lid.
asi/53518