Additional Ways to Participate

Rockford 815 Day 2024

There are many ways for everyone to participate in Rockford Day and celebrate your pride in Rockford, whether you're a business, an organization, or neighborhood group:

For any business, faith community, or organization:

Give back to your community.
- Fundraise* for your favorite local nonprofit.
- Clean up an under-served neighborhood in Rockford.
- Collect donations° for a local cause.

For restaurants and retail:

Offer an 815 or 779 themed deal or special.
Give customers a chance to win a Rockford/815 themed prize or basket.

For other businesses and corporations:

Host an employee fundraiser for your favorite local nonprofit.
Spend a portion of the work day volunteering time at a local nonprofit.
Give back to your employees by providing them lunch or breakfast or hosting a barbeque or other internal celebration.
Share your Rockford story in writing, in photos, or on video using the hashtags #RockfordDay2024 #815Day2024.
Offer a tour of your business or organization (submit this as an event on GoRockford.com/RockfordDay).

For neighborhood groups, clubs, and other organizations:

Do a neighborhood cleanup or beautification project.
Host a neighborhood picnic or other social gathering.
Post a photo of members of your group/organization in 815 gear using the hashtags #RockfordDay2024 #815Day2024.
Feature your group members, clients, or associates telling their own stories of living in Rockford on your social media using the hashtags #RockfordDay2024 #815Day2024.

For business associations:

Host an event in your business district
- A scavenger hunt
- A progressive shopping experience
- A live outdoor concert
- Sidewalk chalk or other art activities

*Fundraising ideas:

Offer employees the chance to wear 815 gear instead of work attire for a monetary donation; give donations to a local nonprofit.
Host an employee event such as a talent show, family movie or game night, or white elephant auction. Ask for a monetary donation to attend.
Host penny wars
- Designate teams (departments, floors, or other groups).
- Provide each location their own jug for collecting money.
- Teams gain points by adding pennies and bills greater than a dollar to their own jug.
- Participants can reduce the competition’s points by adding silver coins and one dollar bills to other teams’ jugs.
- Provide the team with the highest point total some type of reward on Rockford Day.
- Points earned as follows:
  - Pennies +1 point
  - $5 dollars +500 points
  - $10 dollars +1000 points
  - $20 dollars +2000 points
  - Nickels -5 points
  - Dimes -10 points
  - Quarters -25 points
  - $1 dollar -100 points