From Mailbox to Bowling Alley: How We Supported Big Brothers Big Sisters Every Step of the Way
A behind-the-scenes look at how one direct mail project grew into full event support — and a last-minute save that made all the difference.
When Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks started planning their annual Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser, they reached out to us to help spread the word. From printed inserts and direct mail to life-size event boards, we handled it all.
We have been long-time supporters of BBBS and the work they do in our community. So when we say we were with them every step of the way, we mean it literally.
It Starts with the List
Every successful direct mail campaign begins before a single piece of paper is printed. It starts with the list. We worked with the BBBS team to build and refine their mailing list, making sure their event promotion would reach the right people in the right places.
Getting the list right means your message does not get lost. It means your dollars go further. For a nonprofit working hard to make every resource count, that matters.
Printing the Envelopes
With the list locked in, we moved into production. First up: envelopes, printed with the BBBS brand and ready to carry the Bowl for Kids Sake message to donors across the region.
Printing, Folding, and Inserting
Next came the inserts. Bowl for Kids Sake is a bowling event. The vibrant inserts help get supporters excited about the event. We print, fold, and insert everything right here on-site. Every insert handled in-house, every envelope filled by hand.
This is the part most people never see, and it is where a lot of mail campaigns go sideways when things are rushed or split between vendors. We keep everything under one roof, which means nothing falls through the cracks.
Sealed Ready for the Post Office
The last step before the post office: sealing. Every envelope run through our envelope sealing machine and ready for us to deliver to the post office.
Thousands of envelopes, each one carrying Bowl for Kids Sake information to donors and community members across the region.
There is something satisfying about seeing a finished mail job staged for delivery. It represents a lot of careful work — and a genuine investment in the organization behind the message.
When the Call Came In
The direct mail campaign was done and dusted. But a few weeks later, we got a call from BBBS with a different kind of problem.
They had ordered life-size cardboard cutouts of their donors online, a great idea for the event, a way to give real visibility to the people who make their work possible. The cutouts arrived. They were not what anyone had hoped for. BBBS needed them reprinted, and they needed them fast!
We made them. Full-color, life-size, sharp and true to the people they represented. Bill Moon from BBBS stopped by to pick them up in person and had some kind words to share about the whole experience. You can watch that on our Instagram.
Think about what this kind of piece can do for an event. Life-size representations of real community members, standing in the room. Not a name on a program or a line in a speech. People you can actually see — donors recognized in a way that feels meaningful and personal.
That is the impact print has when it’s done right.
The Full Picture
Bowl for Kids Sake happened and it was a success! The mail did its job. The standees were in the room. The community showed up.
That is what a full-service print partnership looks like.
Whether you are promoting a fundraiser, a community event, or a product launch, we can help you get there. Mailing list to mail piece. Concept to event floor. We have got you covered.