Well, I guess we have the volunteers, but how about some more sponsors?
Over the past few years certain numbers have been dropping all around us. But while incomes, employments rates and budgets have been on the decline, it’s surprising to see that one number is actually up. We are referring to the increase of volunteers in the United States. Whether or not people are volunteering more due to compassion during a time of economic struggle is up for debate, but the fact is that there were 61.8 million people with documented volunteer hours in the U.S. last year, one million more than the previous year.
Seeing how volunteerism is more prominent than ever, it seems a perfect opportunity for sponsors to offer support to the people and groups who are donating their time and energy to a cause. A sponsor could make arrangements to be present at events, whether it is a beach cleanup, a community program aimed to mentor youth, or any of the thousands of volunteer opportunities available to the public. In doing so, the sponsors are supporting the individuals volunteering, in turn adding value to the cause as a whole. Some forms of support that a sponsor could offer would be donating funds, giving out their product for free, offering discounts on product, or perhaps providing food and drinks for the volunteers.
By sponsoring the volunteers a company would touch each person individually, helping them feel appreciated and accomplished. Also, the sponsor would look good in the public eye through this act of community support. As volunteering continues to grow, let’s hope that sponsor support can keep in step. By the looks of it, all sides will benefit. What do you think?
If you have ever been to the Futbol Fiesta prior to a Mexican National Soccer Team game then you already know that it offers a party like atmosphere including loud music, games, player appearances, and dozens of other activations presented by the sponsors. If you are a first timer (like I was last month in Dallas when Mexico played Colombia), then you are in for quite the experience. If you like to see passionate fans, engaged by equally ardent sponsors, than look no further!
Not only did Home Depot engage fans by offering them the chance to directly participate with the soccer game, they also encouraged the use of their retail products and sent people home happy with free memorabilia. It seems to make perfect sense why the Home Depot activation was one of the busiest we saw.
We all know that the current economic state has affected the way that companies spend their marketing and sponsorship budgets in regards to major sports properties like NASCAR and the PGA. If we take a deeper look, we can also see how the little guy is being affected by corporate budget cuts. One example is the current situation facing the All American Soap Box Derby. Since 1933, the AASBD has been the governing body of American soap box racers. They govern regional events, culminating with a National Championship in Akron, Ohio each July. 
