Common Fundraisers' Questions About Donor Recognition Rocks

Here are questions that are commonly asked by fundraising professionals, board and committee members, and directors and managers of alumni and capital campaigns, endowment funds and other fundraising efforts about our GFRC cast stone replicated rock monuments:

• How are the Recognition Rocks™ manufactured?
• How many years will the monuments last?
• Do the Recognition Rocks™ require special care?
• Is there a manufacturer's product guarantee?
• How are the monuments colored?
• What choice of natural colors are available?
• Do the Recognition Rock™ prices include a bronze plaque?
• Who can we order the bronze plaque(s) from?
• Who determines the plaque layout if we order through Valley Monuments?
• If we order plaques through Valley Monuments, can we request a proof of the layout?
• What if a donor wants a plaque larger than the 7 1/2" (W) x 5" (H) size?
• How many days does it take for an order? How will it be shipped?
• How can we identify the different models when we receive them?
• Can we order a presentation sample to show our campaign staff and potential donors?
• Once the Recognition Rocks™ arrive, what's the best way to unpack them?
• What's the best way to identify each rock's location?
• Should we be worried about possible theft or vandalism of the monuments?

How are the Recognition Rocks™ manufactured?
The rugged castings are hollow, approx. one-inch thick, and open at the bottom. They weigh between 50-60 lbs. (but are exact replicas of rocks that weigh 800-1,000 lbs.) and are manufactured from construction-grade GFRC cast stone to withstand freeze-thaw conditions and 9,000 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure. Depending on quantity ordered they are generally shipped via FedEx Ground in 350-lb. test, double-walled corrugated boxes using an industrial foam-in-place packaging system.

How many years will the monuments last?
Due to modern high-performance polymers and other scientifically-developed, construction-grade admixtures, our GFRC cast stone replications are designed to last for generations--even in freeze-thaw conditions and in the face of mowers, watering and trimming--and typically wear in the same manner as, or superior to, natural rock.

Recognition Rocks™ are actually one of the few products that will look better with age as the elements (i.e., rain, sun and snow) give them an even more lifelike, weathered appearance with each passing year.

It's important to note that a national expert in the restoration of historical monuments made from marble and granite such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (who represents the firm that did most of the artifact restoration for the HMS Titanic) has estimated GFRC cast stone products will last 100-150 years before requiring any restoration work. In fact, he said that is about the same duration after which monuments made from other materials such as marble and granite need work.

Do the Recognition Rocks™ require special care?
The only special care required is in climates with freeze-thaw conditions. Our cast stone formula includes moisture-proof admixtures and an industrial sealer has been applied to all surfaces. However, we strongly recommend purchasing from your local hardware or home improvement store a penetrating concrete sealer and applying it to the boulder (after gently washing it with mild, soapy water to remove dust) every 5-6 years for best protection against moisture intrusion and freeze-thaw cycles.

No chemicals or cleaning solvents should ever be used to clean the products. Care should be taken when unpacking, moving and installing the boulder(s), but if one should be accidentally scratched or chipped, the mark will likely disappear from view as natural weathering takes place over several months, similar to natural stone. However, easy-to-use scratch "kits" are available upon request.

Is there a manufacturer's product guarantee?
A 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is offered for the lifetime of each monument if the craftsmanship is found to be defective in any way (with the exception of naturally-occurring adjustments in color). Customers with a valid defective craftsmanship claim will receive an immediate replacement with an identical product once the product is returned and the claim is confirmed.

How are the monuments colored?
Since detailed latex molds for the monuments are tediously taken from actual rocks found in nature, our customers expect that the color process used for them match the realism of the replica castings.

Their demand for quality is met by skilled craftsmen who enhance the GFRC cast stone with permanent natural shades using a proprietary coloring process which requires no special maintenance in the future. (In fact, as previously mentioned, customers are usually pleased to learn the three basic colors of the memorial rocks will actually appear more lifelike over the years with the helpful affects of the natural elements such as the sun, snow and rain).

What choice of natural colors are available?
There are three natural colors to choose: Slate Gray (popular in the Midwest and East Coast areas of the United States), Sandstone and Red Rock. Examples of these colors are available elsewhere on this website.

Institutions who place quantity orders of Valley Monuments' Recognition Rocks™ for their projects should expect that our artists will slightly adjust the hue and shade of each model to give the entire collection a more natural appearance.

Do the Recognition Rock™ prices include a bronze plaque?
We can provide pricing for the Recognition Rocks™ without a plaque or with a plaque sized 7 1/2" (W) x 5" (H) which can fit all 20 of our models. We also have pricing for Recognition Rocks™ with plaques up to 11" (W) x 8 1/2" (H) in size which fit models CGD1 through CGD6 and CGD9-CGD10. The plaques can be used to list individuals or corporate donors as well as groups of individual names (i.e., two names of $5,000 donors, three names of $3,500 donors, 10 names of $1,000 donors.

Who can we order the bronze plaque(s) from?
Institutions and fundraisers who purchase our replicated rock products for their fundraising campaign have three choices when it comes to ordering bronze plaques:

1). Place their plaque order with a bronze supplier of their choice using our size specifications,

2). Order their plaque direct from Gasser/Olds (www.GasserOlds.com) or a highly-detailed premium one from Trigard Bronze (www.TrigardBronze.com) with our specs, or

3). Take advantage of our easy, "no hassle" plaque ordering service for Gasser/Olds' plaques which reduces the usual back-and-forth proofing steps between them and our foundry, saving valuable time!

For an affordable fee, we provide a faxed layout of the ordered plaque to our customers and, once final approval is received, it is transformed into a digital file--exactly as it was proofed--and sent electronically to Gasser/Olds' staff for immediate processing. (Normal turnaround for Gasser/Olds' plaques is 15-20 business days while premium-priced ones from Trigard can be created more quickly).

Who determines the plaque layout if we order through Valley Monuments?
We will determine the style, size, capitalization and layout of the text provided according to the plaque space available to ensure the most professional appearance possible unless a specific request is received from a customer for a particular layout at the time of ordering. It should be noted we are not responsible or liable in any way for misspellings or errors in fact contained in the information submitted by customers.

If we order plaques through Valley Monuments, can we request a proof of the layout?
Absolutely! It is standard procedure for us to fax the plaque layout for your approval. After an actual or electronic signature of approval is received the plaque will be sent to the bronze foundry for casting.

What if a donor wants a plaque larger than the 7 1/2" (W) x 5" (H) size?
Eight Recognition Rock™ models (CGD1 through CGD6 and CGD9-CGD10) can accommodate 11" (W) x 8 1/2" (H) bronze plaques, but they have to be special ordered from us so we can create a larger custom hand-chiseled space at no charge--in the desired monument. We now offer several 300-400-lb. Estate Boulders that are reproductions of 2 1/2-ton rocks and accept larger plaques up to 26" (W) x 20" (H). See more details about them elsewhere on this website.

How many days does it take for an order? How will it be shipped?
The answer to this question depends on the quantity and the number of orders we already have scheduled for production. It can be as soon as 10 business days if ordering 1-10 monuments or 3-5 weeks or longer for an order of 300 or more. During your planning, upon request we will be able to give you a better estimate of our turnaround time according to the size of the order. It's our goal to work closely with our clients to meet any deadlines they might have as best as possible.

Since they can weigh between 50-60 lbs., all of our monuments are carefully packaged in 350-lb. test double-wall corrugated boxes using an industrial foam-in-place system to protect them during transit. They are then shipped via FedEx Ground. Arrangements for other types of packaging and shipping might be made according to quantity orders.

How can we identify the different models when we receive them?
All Recognition Rocks™ have a label wired to the heavy, anti-theft metal eye bolt manufactured underneath each one with the model number written on it. Our products can also be identified using images available for viewing online or printed on our product sheets.

Can we order a presentation sample to show our campaign staff and potential donors?
Absolutely! Industry professionals who have seen our unique new commemorative monuments agree "seeing is believing." That's why, for first-time customers, we offer a 50 percent discount on one or more monuments of their choice with a permanently affixed fictitious bronze plaque for presentation purposes only (shipping is extra). Please contact us to discuss other marketing support we can provide your campaign upon request.

Once the Recognition Rocks™ arrive, what's the best way to unpack them?
First, it is the customer's responsibility to check for damage in the unlikely event something happened to them during shipping. (On the rare occasions there is damage, the customer must contact Fedex at 1-800-GO-FEDEX to make a claim before contacting us to discuss a replacement).

Once the package is opened, the industrial foam-in-place packaging system material can be removed by breaking off or carefully cutting it away from the memorial piece-by-piece and disposing of it. (Note: Traditional bubble-wrap or "peanut shell" material isn't suitable for shipping products as heavy as the Recognition Rocks™). Cutting and tearing off parts of the corrugated box often make it easier to access the hardened foam for removal.

Please remember, the manufacturer is not responsible for any damage to the monuments when customers unpack or place them.

What's the best way to identify each rock's location?
For accurate record-keeping where a quantity of Recognition Rocks™ are installed along a Donor Trail or similar project, and for the benefit of staff who need to know which ones have been reserved, are sold or are still available, it is essential to know the exact location of each one.

Mapping out a project on a grid or other system of their choosing--depending on how densely the monuments have been installed--helps our customers know the whereabouts of each rock which can be further identified by attaching a one-inch sequentially-numbered aluminum, steel or brass ID tag in a discreet location on the back-side of each model using epoxy adhesive. These can cost approx. $3 each (Tip: Search the Internet for "Stainless Steel Tags" to find a supplier).

Cross-check identification of the Recognition Rocks™ is also possible by keeping record of the individual sequentially-numbered cable seals underneath each rock (but only if the cable seal system was used to connect our anti-theft chain to the heavy-duty metal eye bolt manufactured into the rocks as described below).

Should we be worried about possible theft or vandalism of the monuments?
Not much more than any other type of outdoor commemorative opportunity like engraved bricks, a bench, donor wall or living trees. In fact, most of the customers who have seen how realistic our 50-60 lb. replications are usually agree that, once the monuments and their plaques have been placed and some time has passed, it's unlikely passersby who hadn't seen them being originally installed will even think to bother with what appears to be an 800 lb. natural rock that would require incredible effort to move.

However, if they feel it's necessary at their campus or property, we suggest the use of the heavy-duty anti-theft metal eye bolts manufactured underneath each monument. To use this feature, installation crews should purchase three items from a supplier in as much quantity as needed: 1). An inexpensive lock (or, for installation of a large quanity of rocks, sequentially-numbered "cable seals," 2). Quick-drying cement, and 3). Three-foot-long pieces of sturdy 2/0 or 3/0 straight link chain (75 cents-$1 per foot).

Note: Cable seals are constructed of a rust-proof aluminum body with sequential numbering and feature a heavy-duty 1/8" thick aircraft cable that can stand upwards of 3,000 lbs. of pressure. They are the same type recommended by a shipping industry advisory committee to the United States Departments of Homeland Security and Treasury to ensure the lock-tight safety of international ocean container cargo.

There are two main varieties of cable seals--One is a fixed length and can be fit to any size application. The other type is of a variable length, pull-through construction. Once the cable end is looped back through a hole in the seal body and pulled tight, a key is then inserted into the body and turned until it snaps off, leaving the head tightly recessed in the body and locking the cable in place. Once the cable is secured in either type, it can only be removed by bolt cutters. (They cost approx. $2 each. Search the Internet for "Cable Seal" or "Container Cable Seal" to find a supplier. We recommend shopping at www.Shippers-Mall.com for their Cable Security Seals: Mini Cable--Stock #CBLM0001).

They should then dig a hole below where each monument will be located, being careful to avoid underground utilities or sprinkler system lines. Next they should use the lock (or cable seals) to secure one end of the chain(s) onto the metal eye bolts, fill the holes with the cement slurry, push as much of the remaining lengths of chain into the cement, and set the monuments over the holes where the chains can dry in the cement and serve as sturdy anchors.