Even though in-person fundraising events were forced to go virtual these past few years, efforts continued on in the face of change. And because of that, promotional products that helped raise awareness have remained a staple for any program. Now, as live gatherings start to happen once more, the time to utilize swag to promote an event and help raise funds has never been better.
Throughout the month of February, which is Heart Health month, many distributors may find themselves working with a variety of organizations—including hospitals, schools and even racing groups—to provide products that supplement a fundraising event. Whether it’s to promote safety, education or awareness, bandannas are one such item that spans an array of uses within any fundraising campaign.
“[Bandannas] are one of the largest branding imprint areas that can also be used as a wearable accessory with color and fashion design flair over and over again,” notes Scott Thackston, director of marketing and product development at Bandanna Promotions by Caro-Line. Check out how bandannas fit within the areas of safety, education and awareness to get any fundraising campaign rolling.
Safety
As Heart Health month kicks off this February, bandannas can serve to not only promote a fundraising event, but to share safe practices and information. With an imprint area of 324 square inches, an INFO-bandanna from Bandanna Promotions by Caro-Line fits well within a branding campaign that wants to share information. “Bandannas are used for healthcare education in so many useful ways from events to supporting a cause, or to educate the public on how to live a healthier life with ideas and tips, especially in our INFO-danna option,” says Thackston.
For example, distributors working with schools can offer bandannas printed with the school logo and heart health safety tips that staff can wear throughout the duration of a fundraiser. Or perhaps the bandanna can be printed with websites and resources. Maybe a race organization is hosting a 5K to fundraise for Heart Health month. In addition to providing a printed bandanna with the race and partner logos in the swag bag, distributors can also offer products for fundraising tiers based on the dollar amount participants raise. Glow-in-the-dark bandannas can promote safety while running in addition to sharing top heart-healthy tips. “I know bandannas are one of the top promotional products for health-sponsored runs and walks for life events,” Thackston adds.
Education
What better way to educate someone on the signs of a stroke or heart attack than by printing it on a bandanna for everyone to see. Other educational information to add might include healthy school food options and CDC-recommended guidelines for a healthier lifestyle.
For those distributors working with hospitals and other health organizations, rotary printing is a great way to fulfill large orders and get information out to big groups of people. Bandannas printed with this method provide a softer feel and use water-based pigment dyes, making them attractive for anyone sitting in a waiting room to grab.
“Most runs and walks use larger quantities with both screen print and custom color rotary, while education and information health-related bandannas are mainly screen printed,” says Thackston. He notes that the company is ready to help fulfill these types of orders. “Having an industry-seasoned and very creative art team allows us to help with design layouts and mock-ups for our distributor partners. This key in-house free service provides the very best healthcare and awareness designed wearable promotions for their clients’ targeted branding campaigns.”
Awareness
Any good fundraiser campaign or branded event bases a lot of its success on raising awareness. Because bandannas are versatile, they make great items to promote cause and brand awareness. Thackston outlines a long list of ways to wear bandannas that will get the word out: headbands, scarves, hair ties or skull caps, wrist and arm ties, and even leg and ankle styles.
Bandannas by Caro-line takes it one step further by offering a selection of sizes to increase options as well. “Larger size bandannas like 27×27” or the largest bandanna available (our extra-large fashion-danna 35×35”) can both be used as a wrap, sarong, crop top, scarf and tie.”
Because bandannas offer such a wide variety of uses, many organizations are already looking to use them for their health campaigns. “Almost all non-profits use bandannas: local and regional hospital systems, government agencies like the CDC, and school food and health education programs nationally to local,” says Thackston. They are, in a nutshell, fabric billboards that get health facts and tips out to customers, promote a brand, or both.
So as Heart Health kicks off and more events get going for 2022, make sure you offer all your healthcare accounts bandannas. Check in with Bandannas by Caro-Line to request a FREE Health & Awareness – (4) Pack Bandanna Kit that contains one of each of its new products to freshen your offerings. It can be requested with specific colors or sizes.
