Minnesota's #1 Tourist Destination Goes Red

The Mall of America went red for the casting call and a fashion show on National Wear Red Day in 2009. More than 40 women participated in the casting call and thousands more were exposed to GRFW messages. The Twin Cities GRFW cause sponsor, HealthEast, was part of the festivities and provided flexibility assessments. The Mall of America was so pleased with the partnership that they've offered to expand the partnership significantly in 2010.

Power Team

Barb leveraged her relationships with three professional sports teams – Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Twins -- to create a Power Team to promote Power to End Stroke.

Empowering Ambassadors

Barb worked with one of her top volunteers who coaches the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders to create a "Go Red" cheer during half-time at a Vikings Home Game.

Volunteers from national and local stetegic allaince, Pageants International, got into the GRFW spirit. This volunteer even "bedazzled" her shirt with her heart health numbers!

Get Healthy With Big Al

"Big Al" Jefferson of the Minnesota Timberwolves offered two free tickets to any kid who completed the empowerMe4Life Program. He also recorded a PSA with a general heart health message for kids.

Start Walking

Start! Footprint stickers were placed on walking paths at four Saint Paul Parks on National Start! Walking Day in 2009.

Paint the Town Red

Barb brought strategic alliances together -- the trendy retail area of Uptown in Minneapolis and students from the University of Minnesota's design and merchandising school to have a GRFW window decorating contest. Grand Avenue, the upscale retail area in Saint Paul joined the fun the following year. (The poster, created by Grand Avenue businesses, is actually red. Not sure why it shows up in blue...)

A Healthy Start

Barb worked closely with her Youth Market colleagues to build on a small program that started with a professional chef association. In 2009, more than 1,000 kids at ten schools were exposed to empowerME messages while learning the importance of a healthy breakfast. Youth Market estimates that this program has helped them secure $20,000 in new donations from schools across Minnesota.

Helping Sponsors Embrace Our Cause

Barb worked closely with her development partners and cause sponsors to ensure they embraced our causes. Photo caption: Medtronic employees celebrate Wear Red Day by posing near their billboard. The video is the ROI book created to highlight Medtronic's Start! sponsorship over the years.