Charity Relay Challenge: Ocean City, MD

REMINDER: The primary goal of this event is for participating teams to raise money for their favorite local charity. Sure, this is about having fun while paying tribute to your local first responders, but in the end, local nonprofits need your help so they too can continue responding to the call. After registering, and within two business days, the team captain will be provided a unique link to build the teams own crowdfunding page to use for their fundraising efforts. Teams will set their own financial goal, and will appeal to their friends, family and coworkers to make tax-deductible contributions that will help them meet and/or exceed the teams' financial goal. It's that easy!

How do I register my team? PLEASE READ SO YOU DO NOT MISS ANY STEPS!

Only one member of the team should do the initial registration for the team. Before doing so, the following information will be needed during the registration process:

• DETERMINE THE TEAM’S NAME
• DETERMINE IF YOU ARE REGISTERING AS A 19+, YOUTH OR SENIOR TEAM
• DETERMINE IF THE TEAM IS ALL MALE, ALL FEMALE OR COED
• DETERMINE CHARITY TO BENEFIT (EXACT NAME PLEASE)
• PROVIDE MAILING ADDRESS FOR CHARITY
• PROVIDE PHONE NUMBER FOR CHARITY

Ready to Register?  First:  Open and/or print the step-by-step instructions below to use moving forward, then scroll back up to the top of this page and select which Relay Team type you will be registering.

CLICK HERE FOR:  REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR TEAM CAPTAIN

CLICK HERE FOR:  REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF TEAM

Important Information:

• Legal Disclaimer: The five evolutions on the course do require upper body, arm, and lower back strength. This event is not recommended for those who are pregnant, with heart conditions, with serious back problems, with fear of heights, or have other health problems that may make them more vulnerable to injury.
• A relay team must have 5 members, each of whom completes one evolution of the course before tagging the next team member to begin their assigned evolution. Make sure that the team member you're assigning to an evolution is capable of doing the activity of the evolution.
• No Training or prep work required for this event! Firefighters will be stationed at each evolution to guide you prior to the starting siren.
• No need during the registration process to make us aware of who is doing which evolution. That can be done at the event.
• REGISTRATION TIP:  Only one person on the team should do the initial registration of the team. Once registered the Captain will receive an email with a unique URL link to copy, paste and send to the other team members so they can register and complete their individual participant agreement and waiver forms. Each participant will make a $25 donation to cover incurred expenses, i.e., t-shirts, medals, certificates, etc.
• MINORS: individuals ages 18 and under will sign a participant agreement and waiver form during the registration process and must also provide a valid email address for their parent or legal guardian. A waiver will be emailed to their parents to electronically sign. This is a requirement!
  
  

Five Evolutions: (determine prior to the event which member of the team will be assigned to each evolution) This information is not needed during the registration process.

• High-Rise Pack Carry (will carry a 25lb hose-pack up and down the 5-story tower)
• The Hose Hoist (will hoist a 25lb roll of hose up to the top of the tower)
• The Force Machine (will use a 9.6lb dead blow hammer to move a 160lb steel beam)
• The Hose Advance (will roll a section of hose in and out of delineators and will then pull a fully charged "pressured with water" hose line)
• Victim Rescue (will walk backwards pulling a 110lb manikin)

Clothing Requirements:

• long pants/jeans
• closed toe shoes, preferably shoes with soles that grip to help prevent slipping
• gloves that help you with gripping items
  
  

Team Categories:

• All Male (ages 19+)
• All Female (ages 19+)
• Coed (ages 19+)
• All Seniors (ages 62+)  (choose from all male, female or coed sub-categories)
• Youth: (ages 15-18)  (choose from all male, female and coed sub-categories)
  
  

Rules:

• If a member of the team does not show, one of the team members will be required to complete two evolutions on the course.
• Participants cannot run on the course! Walking briskly is fine.
• Each evolution must be completed in its entirety.
• If a participant tires out or is unable to complete their assigned evolution they can signal for a fellow team member to come replace them.
• No cutting corners. Each evolution must be completed as instructed.
• HAVE FUN! This is about helping charity!
  
  

Raising Funds for Your Designated Charity:

• During the registration process the team Captain will enter the Name, Mailing Address and Phone number for the designated charity.
• After verifying the charity, a separate email will be sent to the team Captain within 2 business days with instructions on how to build the teams fundraising page.
• The team will set their financial goal for the charity they designate.
• Team members will encourage friends, family and co-workers to contribute to their race via the link to their fundraising page.
• Monies raised will be collected by First Responder Institute, a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible organization, so that a cumulative total of dollars raised by all teams can be announced in the community. The nonprofits will then receive, by mail, a check within 14-days of the completion of the event.

8:00AM     Opening Ceremony

8:30AM     Relays begin

 TBD          Awards Ceremony

End Time for event varies depending on the number of teams that have registered. 

How do I register my team? Follow the instructions located in the IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU REGISTER section above.

Why does each team member have to individually register? Because each member is required to electronically sign a waiver and participation agreement. 

What is the purpose of the Charity Relay Challenge? Our event was designed with many goals in mind: a.) allow individuals, companies, nonprofits and more to utilize the Firefighter Challenge course to raise funding to support their favorite causes; b.) to bring awareness of and pay tribute to the local First Responder community; and c.) to honor local volunteers and organizations that respond each and every day to the many needs of their community.

Who can enter a team? The event is open to anyone in the community willing to organize a 5-person team (minimum age of 15) with each member taking on one segment of the course. There is no limit on the number of teams that a company, civic group, nonprofit, school, church, department, or individual can register. It’s all in the name of fun, helping charity, and saluting the work of those that make our communities stronger!

What about inclement weather? Rain or shine our event will be held. Lightening and other forms of dangerous weather in the area will cause the event to be delayed, rescheduled, and in a worst-case scenario, cancelled. Registrants will receive an email notification the morning of the event with any updates.

Is the Charity Relay Challenge a Nonprofit? The Charity Relay Challenge is an awareness program of the First Responder Institute, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

How much money goes to the benefiting charities? First Responder Institute, via its crowdfunding platform partner, will collect and receipt all donations given to the participating teams campaigns. This aids in the process of reporting the total dollars raised in the community and ensures that funds collected go to a legal nonprofit entity. All monies donated, less a 5% *accounting fee, will be contributed to the team's designated charity. *this fee is merely to cover the check processing, accounting and independent auditing of all funds raised.

Why does my team have to pay to participate? Because First Responder Institute is a nonprofit, we are unable to incur the cost of the materials that each participant will receive, including a t-shirt, medal and refreshments.

How do I fundraise for my charity? Once your team has registered via this event registration portal your team captain will receive, in two business days, a separate invitation link from us that allows you to build a custom crowdfunding page. Your team will determine the benefitting charity and fundraising goal. More ‘how to’ steps will be provided in your invitation link.

What charity can benefit? Any charitable organization, local, national or international, that your team would like to raise money for is welcomed. During the registration process you will be required to provide the charities name, address and phone number. This will enable us to verify the organization and ensure that funds are sent to the correct organization.

How long does the event last? Our event usually starts at 8:00AM. Start time may vary by market. Two teams will take the course at the same time with the average completion time being around 6 minutes or less. Depending on the number of teams that have entered, the event could take up to two or more hours. Prior to the event, registrants will receive an updated schedule via email.

When does my charity receive its money? Within 14 business days your charity will receive a check and a list of the donors that made a contribution to them.

What does First Responder Institute do with the list of donors? We will not use, trade or sell any donors information who provided a gift to the Charity Relay Challenge. We will however provide the benefiting charity a list of donors so they can account for the funds. 

Can my team support multiple charities? Only one charity per team otherwise the accountant will pull their hair out!

Why should I pre-register? Pre-registration allows us to properly order the correct number and sizes of T-shirts and medals to ensure all participants receive one.

What do we need to wear? Teams are encouraged to come up with their own attire whether it be creative outfits, corporate teamwear or just everyday clothing. All participants should wear jeans or pants in the event you trip and fall. In addition, tennis shoes are strongly suggested.

Who is First Responder Institute? Learn more on our website. 

What is the Refund Policy? Our policy is provided on this same website page.

How can my community host a Charity Relay Challenge? The Charity Relay Challenge works in tandem with the Firefighter Challenge event. Communities interested in hosting a Firefighter Challenge event can contact us at info@firstresponder.org There is a required donation that is matched by our national sponsors to come into any community. Feel free to contact us and our Chief Engagement Officer can share with you the details.

For All Questions Related to Using the RunSignUp Platform visit their website's support page at the following link  SUPPORT PAGE

An Event Registration Fee is refundable only if First Responder Institute, the 501(C)(3) tax-exempt umbrella organization of the Firefighter Challenge, cancels the Event. For the avoidance of doubt, Participant is not entitled to any refund once Participant is charged the Total Event Fees, except as expressly set forth below.

Canceled and Rescheduled Events.  You bear all risks of inclement weather. You also understand and agree that First Responder reserves the right to cancel the Event for any event that is beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, in the event of weather (and further including, but not limited to, pandemic, epidemic, heat, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, storms, lightning and floods), accidents, acts or threats of war or terrorism, military conflicts, riots, government order, law or regulation, national or regional emergency or for any reason that would in the sole discretion of First Responder affect the safety and security of Event participants and/or spectators or the feasibility of the Event. You agree to hold First Responder harmless from any claim of any kind or nature that you may bring that is related to any cancellation or disruption of the Event. In the event of an Event cancellation for any reason, there will be no refund of your payment unless authorized by First Responder. If an Event is canceled, and you purchased your Event Registration through the First Responder site, you will be permitted to transfer/defer your registration to another Event, as set forth below. If First Responder issues you a refund for an Event Registration due to a canceled or postponed Event, First Responder will issue a refund of the Event Registration Fee and for all service fees paid. If a refund is issued, it will be issued using the same method of payment that was used to purchase the Event Registration. First Responder is not liable for travel or any other expenses that you (or anyone else) incurs in connection with a canceled or postponed Event.

Refunds and Transfers.  Before purchasing an Event Registration, carefully review your purchase. First Responder does not offer a refund of Event Registration Fees for any circumstances. You agree that you will not attempt to evade, avoid, or circumvent any refund prohibitions in any manner with regard to an Event Registration that you purchased. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you will not contact First Responder to seek a refund. You will not dispute or otherwise seek a “chargeback” from the company whose credit card or the online payment method you used to purchase an Event registration from the First Responder site. Should you do so, your Event Registration may be canceled and First Responder may, in its sole discretion, refuse to honor pending and future Event registrations made from all credit card accounts or online accounts on which such chargebacks have been made, and may prohibit all persons in whose name the credit card accounts exist and any person who accesses any associated online account or credit card or who otherwise breaches this provision from using the site in the future.

Additional Challenge information can be found at http://www.charityrelaychallenge.org.

Charity State Disclosure Notices
There are currently 27 jurisdiction that require charities to provide some form of disclosure statement when communicating with donors. Note that disclosure statement requirements for charities vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Prospective donors use disclosure statements to help in determining which charitable organizations is in line with their values before donating.

A copy of the latest financial report, registration filed by this organization, and a description of our programs and activities may be obtained by contacting us at: (P.O. Box 70127, Oro Valley, AZ 85755 or by phone at 301-615-0180). First Responder Institute, Inc. was formed in Maryland. If you are a resident of one of the following states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state agency:  VIEW DISCLOSURE NOTICES