1) Race Day Safety
1A) What enhanced security measures are in place to make Rally 2023 as safe as possible?
As our generous community of supporters gets ready to participate in Rally in the Ravine on October 14, 2023, we know that this is a very heartbreaking, challenging and distressing time due to the terrorist attack in Israel which is contributing to a heightened sense of security concerns. Knowing this, we have reassessed our security plans for Rally in the Ravine in order to further strengthen the safety and wellbeing of our participants, sponsors, staff and vendors which is the top priority for North York General Foundation (NYGF).
We have worked closely with our NYGF senior leadership team and event consultants to enhance security for this year’s event, including:
- 13 off-duty paid Toronto Police Services officers, with 10 on our route, 1 on entry to the park and 2 on the festival site, including a staff sergeant and a constable who will be fully briefed on the security status at the time of the event and any changes that may occur
- Paid security guards overnight and during the day at the event site
- A fulsome emergency plan in place
2) Registration Questions
2A) I’m having trouble registering online, logging in or editing my Participant Centre. What should I do?
We would be happy to help. Please contact us at [email protected].
If you forgot your username or password, visit the Participant Login Page, click “Forgot username?” or “Forgot password?” and follow the instructions. You will receive an email that prompts you to reset your username or password.
If you enter the wrong password too many times, you will be locked out for 24 hours.
2B) Do I have to be registered to participate in Rally 2023?
To participate in any of our run or walk events, you must be registered.
2C) Is there a registration fee?
Yes, the registration fee is $30 for all participants. With that you will get a Rally kit that includes your race bib and North York General themed swag!
2D) Can I register on event day
Yes, you can register on event day. We encourage you to register online prior to the event.
2E) I’ve already registered, but I can no longer participate in the event. What should I do?
We’re sorry that you won’t be able to participate. All registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
2F) Can I register more than one person at a time?
You can’t add another participant to an account. It’s easy to register on behalf of someone else. Once you’ve completed the registration process for one individual, simply select “I’d like to register someone else.” Please keep in mind that each new participant must register using a new email address (an email address that hasn’t already been used to register another participant). If you want a new registrant to become a member of your team, be sure to select “Join a team” when prompted.
Please note, this process also applies if you are registering your child(ren).
2G) Can a Team Captain be changed after a team is formed?
Yes, as long as the new captain is already registered as a participant on that team. We would be happy to make that change for you — please send an email to [email protected].
2H) Can I be added to a team if I have already registered as an individual?
Yes. Simply visit your Participant Centre homepage, scroll to the bottom and select “Change team membership.” Follow the instructions from there. Be sure to know the name of the team you’d like to join or the team captain.
2I) Can I form a team if I have already registered as an individual?
Yes, we will gladly help you make that change — please send an email to [email protected].
2J) When is the last day I can register
You can register right up to the event day! We will have a team of volunteers registering participants the morning of the run. We will also be accepting donations on the day of the event.
2K) How do I sign up for volunteering
Please fill out our Volunteer Application Form or contact Anna Somers at [email protected] with your contact details and any volunteer history! All volunteers are welcome!
3) Event day questions
3A) Where and when is the event being held?
Rally 2023 will be held in an exciting new location – G Ross Lord Park! We are so excited to welcome our community back for another year on October 14! Opening Ceremonies will begin at 8:30AM at the main stage followed by a warmup session to get everyone’s blood pumping! Races will start at 9:00AM, beginning with our 10KM runners.
3B) Is this event timed?
The event is being timed and your time we will posted here after the event.
Note- to guarantee that your race will be timed, you must be registered prior to the event date.
3C) Where and when do I pick up my Rally kit?
Rally Kits will be available to pick up on the following days:
- Thursday October 12 from 11:00am – 6:00pm
- Friday October 13 from 10:00am to 6:00pm
- Race day – October 14
3D) Can I volunteer at Rally 2023?
Please fill out our Volunteer Application Form or contact Anna Somers at [email protected] with your contact details and any volunteer history! All volunteers are welcome!
3E) Will there be coat check
Yes, coat check will be located near registration, at the event site.
3F) Will there be medals awarded
Yes, medals will be awarded to all participants upon completion!
4) Donation questions
4A) When I donate to or fundraise for Rally 2023, what am I supporting?
Participants for Rally 2023 will have the option to support mental health or orthopaedic care at North York General Hospital.
4B) Will my supporters receive a charitable tax receipt?
Yes. Anyone who donates $5 or more online will receive a tax receipt via email. Those who make offline donations over $20 are also eligible to receive a tax receipt — please indicate on the Offline Donation Form whether each donor would like to receive one (see Question 3D for more information on offline donations).
4C) Is North York General Foundation a registered Canadian charity?
Yes. Our Charitable Registration Number is: #888751245 RR0001. For more information, please visit nyghfoundation.ca.
4D) Where can I mail/drop off donations that are in the form of a cheque?
Please mail your offline cheque or cash donations, along with the Offline Donation Form, to the Foundation by September 28th, 2023.
Our mailing address is:
North York General Foundation
4001 Leslie Street
Toronto, ON M2K 1E1
If you are a NYGH staff member, you can also bring your offline donations (with form) to the Foundation in person. We are located at 1S-110 by the south elevators.
Offline donations must be entered as “offline gifts” in your online Participant Centre to be counted towards your personal or team fundraising total. All offline gifts must be confirmed by the Foundation to be included as part of the event fundraising total.
4E) To whom should my donors make their cheques payable?
Please make all cheques payable to North York General Foundation.
4F) Does the Foundation accept corporate matching donations?
Yes. In fact, we encourage you to ask your employer if corporate matching is available.
4G) Can donors give anonymously?
Yes. Donors have the option to keep their name and/or gift amount anonymous. Please note that some donor information will still be given to the participant they supported, as well as to North York General Foundation for processing purposes.
5) Fundraising questions
5A) What tools are available to help me fundraise?
Your Participant Centre has all the tools you need to help you in your fundraising efforts. We’ve provided pre-written emails for you to send to your network of friends, family, colleagues, classmates and neighbors. Use the messages “as is” or edit them as you see fit.
5B) How can I promote Rally 2023?
We encourage you to promote Rally 2023 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest or any of your social media networks using our event hashtag, #Rally4NYGH. We recommend posting a link to your personal and/or team Fundraising Page, and when you reach new fundraising milestones, be sure to share your achievement badges (see Questions 4D and 4E to learn more).
5C) When does fundraising close?
We will be accepting donations until October 20, 2023.
5D) Will you be giving out prizes for top fundraisers?
Yes. Prizes will be awarded to the following:
- Top 3 fundraising individuals
- Top community fundraising team
- Top hospital fundraising team (North York General staff)
5E) When will the fundraising prize winners be announced?
We will be announcing our top fundraising individuals and teams on October 28, 2023. You will receive an email with the announcement. Winners will be notified by the Foundation prior to this date. Prizes will be sent out shortly thereafter.
5F) Is there a fundraising minimum?
There are no fundraising limits but we encourage everyone to raise as much as they can. Funds will support mental health and orthopaedic care as part of the Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Orthopaedic Centre.
5G) Are there fundraising incentive levels?
Participants who raise over $500 will be entered to win cool prizes! Keep an eye out for more details to follow. Winners will be announced on October 28, 2023. Winners will be notified by the Foundation prior to this date. Prizes will be sent out shortly thereafter.
6) Tax Receipting Questions
6A) When do I get my tax receipt for my Rally donation?
If you donate online, you will receive an electronic tax receipt within 30 minutes of making your donation. Offline donations will receive a tax receipt after October 8, 2023.
6B) I made an online donation and I can’t open my tax receipt. What should I do?
Electronic tax receipts are sent in PDF format. If you do not have a program that will open a PDF, you will need to download the appropriate software. If you would like to receive your tax receipt by mail, please contact us at [email protected]
6C) If I make a donation to my team, will I receive a tax receipt?
Yes. Please note that making a team donation will not count towards your individual fundraising total.
6D) If I make a donation to myself, will I receive a tax receipt?
Yes.
7) Team questions
7A) How do I create a fundraising team?
Create your team by registering online. Once you start the registration process by choosing your event 10K Run/Walk, 5K Run/Walk, or 1K Run/Walk, you can then select the “Start a team” option on the registration page. Proceed with the rest of the registration process.
7B) How do I join a fundraising team?
You can then select the “Join a team” option on the registration page. If you’ve already registered as an individual, visit your Participant Centre homepage, choose profile and select “Change team membership.” Follow the instructions from there. Be sure to know the name of the team you’d like to join or the team captain.
7C) How many people do I need to have an official fundraising team?
You can have as few as two people to form a fundraising team.