by Donna Brown
Let's saddle up for ACB! The horses and trainers are in the stable ready to gallop "Full Steam Ahead" to another Run for the Roses - raising funds for ACB. The annual walk/run has a new name, the ACB Walk/Fun Run. It will be the premiere race in Louisville, Ky. this summer.
Your participation in this race can be a trifecta. No matter how you participate in the ACB Walk/Fun Run, you can help support the winning team, ACB. You can participate by either signing up to walk/run or to sponsor someone. Second, if you walk/run, whether it be onsite or as a virtual walker, you can benefit your physical health. Even if you are unable to attend the ACB national conference and convention, you can still sign up and walk at home. Finally, by participating in the ACB Walk/Fun Run, you have the opportunity to win prizes and meet new people.
The ACB Walk/Fun Run will be held on Sunday, July 8 at Seneca Park in Louisville, Ky. If you have already signed up for the 2012 ACB Walk/Run, you are already in the starting gate ready to take off. If you have not signed up yet, it's not too late. You can saddle up by registering now as an individual or a team by using one of the following methods. You may register or make pledges online at http://walk-run.acb.org. If you don't feel comfortable with that, you may contact either Palma Milliman at (270) 782-9325 or Donna Brown at (304) 822-4679 for assistance. Any entry forms or pledge forms completed in hard copy must have a check made out to ACB Walk attached and mailed to American Council of the Blind, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430.
In order to gallop full steam ahead in this important race, a participant needs to be motivated to help ACB. You can do that by seeking and receiving pledges. Two methods for seeking pledges that have been proven to be effective are to either send an e-mail message containing information about the walk/run and your request for pledges to everyone in your address book, or to make phone calls to everyone you know - friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, businesses, etc.
As with any race, participants have the opportunity to win prizes for their hard work. Once again, medals will be awarded as follows: bronze for pledges totaling $100 to $250; silver for $251 to $500; and gold for $500 or more. Trophies will be presented to all individuals/teams raising $1,000 or more. For every $100 in pledges raised by an individual or a team, their name will be entered into a drawing for exciting prizes. Trophies will also be given to the individual/team and the affiliate that brings in the most money.
The home stretch of this race is the actual Walk/Fun Run event. Once again, the annual Walk/Fun Run will take place on Sunday, July 8, at Seneca Park in Louisville, Ky. Stay tuned for further information.
On behalf of the ACB Walk committee, I encourage you to put on your iron shoes and saddle up by seeking pledges or sponsoring a participant.