How often should chapters plan their St. Jude event?

Planning a St. Jude event on an annual basis is most effective as it allows chapters to strategically organize a significant fundraiser while ensuring adequate preparation and community engagement. An annual schedule provides a consistent opportunity for the chapter to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, fostering long-term support and involvement from the community. This frequency also helps maintain momentum and encourages participants to anticipate and look forward to the event year after year, which can lead to the growth of the event and increase both attendance and donations.

In contrast, planning the event every two years could lead to diminished interest and a potential loss of continuity in engagement. A response of "only as needed" could result in missed opportunities for fundraising and community outreach, especially if needs arise unexpectedly or require immediate action. Monthly planning, while engaging, would be impractical for most chapters due to the resource intensity of organizing a successful event, which can lead to burnout among volunteers and decreased quality of the event itself. Thus, an annual event balances preparation, engagement, and enthusiasm effectively.