Why isn’t the Bowl-a-Thon happening this year?
Given the risks involved with bringing large groups together indoors while COVID-19 is still rampant, we will not be holding this event in its traditional format.
How does this year’s event work?
In lieu of hosting an in-person Strikes for Stronger Families Bowl-a-thon, we will be hosting a Strides for Stronger Families Virtual Fitness Challenge. Same great cause, just a pivot in the event structure so we can still come together for SERVE, while staying apart.
Starting March 9th, you’ll be able to register yourself as an Individual or Team Captain on an interactive web-site that is being designed especially for this virtual challenge. Registration will unlock your personal or team fundraising page that will raise funds to support the programs at SERVE. You will be able to share the page with your network and accept online donations to help you meet your goal. You will also be able to track your fitness activity progress on this page during challenge week.
When does the actual fitness challenge take place?
The week of the fitness challenge runs from Friday, April 9 to Thursday, April 15. Registration is open through April 15, so even if the event has already begun, you can still participate!
What is the fitness challenge?
This one-week fitness challenge will be hosted on the fitness app Strava. For each minute of fitness activity (cycling, running, walking, swimming, yoga, weight training, etc.) logged on Strava, we will raise funds for our Greater Prince William County neighbors in need. You can invite your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to take part in the Challenge or donate to your fundraiser
An integral part of our Strides for Stronger Families Challenge is our goal to collectively log 35,000 minutes of fitness activity to represent the 35,000 Northern Virginians that seek out our services annually. This can be any type of activity of your choosing. Pick your activity, break a sweat, then log the time!
Why is this fitness challenge important?
Is there a registration fee to participate?
No registration fee! There are suggested fundraising minimums. For individuals this is $100, for teams of up to five participants, this is $375.
Why are you asking me to fundraise?
We rely on supporters like you to help us provide critical year-round services for the Greater Prince William Community: an emergency shelter, rapid re-housing assistance, food and financial support for rent and utility payments, early childhood development services, and referrals for free or reduced-cost medical and dental care for children and adults. Funds raised through events like Strides are the reason we’re able to do more each year to meet the needs of our community. That’s why we need you to get involved!
How do I log my fitness activity minutes on my fundraising page?
Download the free Strava app prior to April 9 if you want to log your activity directly from your smartphone (you will be prompted to connect to your Strava account on the back end of your fundraising page). Starting April 9, you can also click the "Complete Activities" button on the main page to be prompted to connect your Strava account for the first time.
What if I don't want to download Strava or if I don't have a smartphone?
Not a problem! Fitness activity minutes can also be input manually through your personal page under “record fitness activity.”
How does the points system work?
| Category | Points Earned |
| Recruiting - Participant Recruited for your Team via email link through platform | 25 points per completed registration |
| Fundraising - Donations | 1 point per dollar raised |
| Fundraising - Self Donations | 1 point additional per dollar self-donated |
| Social media (Facebook) – photo posted | 10 points per photo posted |
| Social media (Facebook)– video posted | 25 points per video posted |
| Fitness Activity (during Challenge week only) | Points Earned (per minute of activity) |
| Walk | 2 |
| Run | 3 |
| Ride | 1 |
| Other (yoga, zumba, weight training, etc.) | 1 |
Can I collect cash or checks for my fundraiser?
As a virtual challenge participant and fundraiser, you have the option of accepting cash and/or checks from your supporters. You can enter them right into our online platform so it is counted towards your goal right away. Cash and checks can be turned into NVFS in the following 3 ways:
What about donations I raise through a Facebook Fundraiser?
This year we are piloting a Facebook Fundraising integration! This means that when you connect your Strides for Stronger Families Challenge page to Facebook, any donations raised through Facebook will magically appear on our Strides fundraising page. To set this up, log in to your page and click "Manage my page." Then click "Create a Facebook Fundraiser" on the left-side menu, and follow the prompts from there.
Will there be t-shirts this year?
Yes! All registrants can pick up their t-shirt at the Champion’s Circle Drive-Thru at SERVE on Friday, April 16 from 12pm – 4pm, at 10056 Dean Drive Manassas, VA 20110. Notified leaderboard participant winners will also be able to pick up their prizes!
How can I support without joining the Virtual Fitness Challenge?
We are very grateful for any support, whether you participate in our virtual fitness challenge or not. If you’d like to make a general donation, hover over "Donate" at the top of your screen until a drop down menu appears and click "Make a General Donation."
If you’d like to make a donation towards a participant's or team's fundraising goal, click "Donate to a Participant/Team" and then use the search feature to find their name. Once you have found them, click on the "Donate" button underneath their name and follow the prompts.
Can't join us for the Fitness Challenge in April, but you are interested in starting your own steps/fitness/walk/run challenge for your company, school, or civic group?
We can set this virtual team-building event up for you! Reach out to Jessica Warren at JWarren@nvfs.org or 571.748.2671.