I had the opportunity recently to donate to a famine-relief fund whose goal is to address the humanitarian crisis occurring in ten countries spanning Africa and Yemen. Several things caught my eye about the campaign: 1) Donations of all amounts were being accepted. An individual could give $5 or a corporation could give $5,000. It all helped. 2) Two major corporations had <strong>each </strong>committed to $1 million in matching funds. For example, the $5 above will now become $10 and the $5,000 will become $10,000 and 3) My friend who the cause to my attention said "even [name of particular broadcasting station] is behind this (the station often shares contrarian views to other major broadcasters).
<h3>When a Cause is Good, There is a Place For Everyone</h3>
The <strong>You Matter Marathon</strong> is a world-wide initiative that creates positive connections within organizations and communities by inviting people to share business-sized cards with only the words, “You Matter” printed on them.

Last November, 14,000 people in 50 states and 59 countries shared almost half-a-million cards. Many companies, schools, and community organizations benefited from participating. You can see a full list <strong><a href="http://youmattermarathon.com/2016-ambassador-organizations/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://youmattermarathon.com/2016-ambassador-organizations/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501122586275000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHkjXcxcbUX9STCjSJp43GOdeR4bg">here</a></strong>.

I was so happy to participate in the You Matter Marathon last year. Here's a look back:

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SpyPzPRxk24" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>The You Matter Marathon is Growing Up</h3>
As the You Matter Marathon strives to bring the joy of saying "you matter" to more people, the opportunities to be a part of the process are scaling up. My individual contribution counts, but the You Matter Marathon also has the potential to inspire more people if it can scale up its operations through corporate sponsorship.
<h3>What Sponsorship Would Do For Your Organization</h3>
This year, the goal of the You Matter Marathon is to give out 1-Million <strong>You Matter</strong> cards. To do that, organizers are  inviting companies who value people and relationships to help sponsor the event. Companies big and small have already signed on – <a href="https://www.pennmedicine.org/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://www.pennmedicine.org/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501122586275000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFtX3eVIGKJxotSFGpTxWyAP3S6TQ">Penn Medicine</a> and <a href="http://globalcoachingalliance.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://globalcoachingalliance.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501122586275000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFW8rFDbhQerjTgkeMZICPkHY-XvQ">Global Coaching Alliance</a> among them.

Organizational sponsorship of the You Matter Marathon provides a simple, powerful, and very cost-effective program to:
<ul>
 	<li>Enhance employee engagement and well-being</li>
 	<li>Promote diversity and inclusion</li>
 	<li>Cultivate meaningful relationships with clients and prospects</li>
 	<li>Recognize people at all levels of the organization?</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sponsorship Details</h3>
There are three Levels of Sponsorship:

Level 1:  $1,000 - $5,000*
<ul>
 	<li>Free <strong>You Matter</strong> cards = to the number of dollars given</li>
 	<li>Recognition on our website and social media platforms, reaching thousands of people</li>
 	<li>3 You Matter T-shirts</li>
</ul>
Level 2:  $5,000 - $10,000*
<ul>
 	<li>Free <strong>You Matter</strong> cards = to the number of dollars given</li>
 	<li>Recognition on our website and social media platforms</li>
 	<li>A webinar led by Cheryl Rice, Founder of the YMM, to discuss the power and potential of the YMM for your organization</li>
</ul>
Level 3:  $10,000* and above
<ul>
 	<li>Free <strong>You Matter</strong> cards = to the number of dollars given</li>
 	<li>Recognition on our website and social media platforms</li>
 	<li>An in-person seminar by Cheryl Rice, Founder of the YMM, to discuss the power and potential of the YMM for your organization</li>
</ul>
<h3>For More Information About Sponsorship</h3>
If your organization is interested in sponsoring the 2017 You Matter Marathon, please <a href="mailto:cheryl@yourvoiceyourvision.com?subject=YMM%20Sponsorship%20Information">email</a> or call founder Chery Rice at <a href="tel:(484)%20557-8846">484-557-8846</a> to discuss the best ways to bring the You Matter Magic into your company.
<h3>For More General Information</h3>
<ul>
 	<li>View the YMM 2017 <a href="https://youtu.be/TbNwmhHbY0A" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://youtu.be/TbNwmhHbY0A&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501122586275000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGabBfjfyofOwtBxTq2rrWREVAjAA">Preview Webinar</a>.</li>
 	<li>Updated this 3-minute <a href="https://youtu.be/by97UBYpSpw" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://youtu.be/by97UBYpSpw&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501122586276000&amp;usg=AFQjCNH1K0cHn5r59gdLSPGf8PgxZMuXoA">video</a> of the YMM in action. (It's also great for sharing.)</li>
 	<li>Enjoy this brand new 1-minute YMM 2016 highlight <a href="https://youtu.be/SpyPzPRxk24" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://youtu.be/SpyPzPRxk24&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501122586276000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFQfrFyd8ty4MVfpRw8fx8p1hHVDw">video</a>.</li>
 	<li>If you or your company is interested in participating but can’t be a sponsor, you can still sign up at <a href="http://youmattermarathon.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://youmattermarathon.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501122586276000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGE0Bhrn65f64j7pz1gT74Q4TQj0g">www.YouMatterMarathon.com</a>.</li>
</ul>