Events
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at https://purplecommunity.vai.org/bee-brave/.
Place
Caledonia, MI US 49316
Description
Bee Brave is more than just a few events throughout the year to raise money for local breast cancer research. Throughout the last 17 years, it has grown to become a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about raising breast cancer awareness, supporting fighters and honoring those whose battle has ended. Bee Brave is a haven of hope for those who need it, a home in which to share their courageous stories, as well as a place to celebrate the victories and triumphs over breast cancer.
Since 2016, Bee Brave has raised more than $590,000 to support breakthrough breast cancer research in the lab of Dr. Matt Steensma at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids.
Bee Brave is different because 100% of the money raised stays in Grand Rapids, Michigan! But that's not all:
-100% of Bee Brave events are organized by volunteers and supported by local business sponsors who are dedicated to finding a cure.
-100% of race registration goes directly to breast cancer research at Van Andel Institute.
Since beginning its partnership with Van Andel Institute 7 years ago, Bee Brave has funded breast cancer research in Grand Rapids and that simply would not have been possible without the support of our local business sponsors and the volunteers who give countless hours to this cause. None of Bee Brave’s incredible volunteer organizers receive a paycheck from the organization, because they would rather see every single dollar be used for research!
Bee Brave is proud to partner with Van Andel Institute Purple Community, VAI's grassroots community awareness and fundraising program that connects individuals, schools, teams and businesses to the resources needed to join the fight against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. Individualized tools and customized assistance are available to create events and programs that help raise funds for biomedical research at the Institute. When you fundraise through VAI Purple Community, your efforts go further. Thanks to a generous endowment from Jay and Betty Van Andel, every dollar of every donation goes directly to the cause.
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Team Buzz Warrior
SO, what EXACTLY is a Team Buzz Warrior (TBW)??? AND how can YOU be one??? After ALL, who doesn’t want to be a WARRIOR, right??
Well, it is the ultimate in fundraising which totally sets Bee Brave apart from other charities. We have established a goal of $1,000 for an individual (team captain) to raise as part of a ‘team’ concept. The goal is achieved through team registrations, in-person or virtual, and donations made to their team. When the team raises the $1,000, the team captain earns the Team Buzz Warrior jacket.
The TBW concept allows the captain to either earn the jacket for herself/himself OR gift it to someone within their business/organization who might be fighting breast cancer. Either way, it is a WIN/WIN for the cause!
So won’t you consider signing up to be a WARRIOR? The $1,000 may sound like a lot, but believe me, when people understand your goal, they support the cause! Even if you miss the goal, you and Bee Brave will be better for the efforts you put forth!
2024 Team Buzz Warrior Women's Sweatshirts
2024 Team Buzz Warrior Men's Sweatshirts
Facebook Fundraising
Below you will see instructions for setting up a fundraising page on your Facebook account that could help us more creatively (and VERY SIMPLY) raise money for VAI. If you would consider doing this, it would be FANTASTIC!! Rest assured, it is safe and so easy to do! Facebook literally does ALL the work for you once you set it up! They send receipts & reminders automatically. Imagine this-if just 100 of you did this and kept the $200 amount that Facebook has set as default, that would be $20,000!!!!
Here are the instructions for setting up a fundraising page:
Desktop will be the preferred method but you can create on mobile. (It is a bit more complicated on a mobile device so we recommend using a desktop)
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Open Facebook
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On the side Menu, find & select Fundraisers
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Click Select Nonprofit
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Search and select Van Andel Research Institute
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Customize the amount to raise & length of fundraiser {recommend November 1}. Mobile does not allow the length to be edited.
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Add Bee Brave behind your name in the fundraiser title {ex. Chris's Bee Brave Fundraiser for Van Andel Research Institute}
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Edit the Why section with recommended verbiage and personalize team info name in text.
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Edit fundraiser photo
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Click Create
Course Map
The course this year will return to part open road and part gravel/cross country course. Strollers and friendly, well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome :)
Directions
Like this page and invite your friends on Facebook.
Race Participant Survey
Please complete the following survey to help us better understand your race experience.
