First off, I would like to thank all my friends and family for your donations and support to the Reclaiming Ourselves Hope After Stroke 3K Walk Libby and I organized on May 8, 2010 at Point Defiance, Owen Beach in Tacoma, WA. Our goals were to raise awareness about strokes especially in young adults and to fundraise benefiting National Stroke Association. What a great day it turned out to be for many reasons up here in WA!
The weather was about 65-70 degrees without a cloud in the sky and no threat of rain. Michael was the emcee for the day. We had 110+ walkers register for our event. About a dozen were young adult stroke survivors. Over 80% of the people attending the event knew someone affected by stroke.
I set up Firstgiving websites for both Libby and I to accept online donations. We sold t-shirt, wristbands, raffle tickets, accepted checks and had a donation tin. Along with registration fees, we raised over $7K! It was an awesome day with amazing results considering it was put together in about two months.
I contacted local vendors and asked for their help. AAParty Rentals donated 100 chairs. A local Seattle-based band named Blue 55 donated their time and rocked out at our event. Between both Party City and Party World, we had 5 dozen purple, inflated balloon donated for decorations. Starbucks donated coffee for us. Fedex Office donated a custom 3x5 banner. Crystal Springs donated 9 cases of water. Honey Bucket even donated a port-o-potty. Costco donated a gift card for us to use and we purchase snacks for the event. The National Stroke Association provided us with educational literature about strokes. Tacoma General Hospital provided a custom banner with our logo. We had local vendors, merchants and restaurants along the Tacoma waterfront donate gifts for our raffle. Our raffle prizes ranged between $40-$200.
Curtis created all the logos and banners for us. They are awesome! Thank you Curtis. He even flew up to WA and surprised me for the week and helped me with last minute details. Thank you for that!!
The day started with registration/check-in at 10am. We had Dr. Brian Kott, M.D. from Tacoma General Hospital as our guest speaker at 11am. Libby and I also addressed the crowd and thanked them for their support and participation. Then our walk began at 12noon.
Everyone received a purple goodie bag with their registration. In it contained a purple, custom wristband saying RECLAIMING OURSELVES, one purple Mardi Gras bead necklace, a party popper, a granola bar, and stroke literature a contact information.
Acting as their own starter's gun, on the count of three everyone popped their party popper in the air! It was awesome!
Starting at Owen Beach, the 3K route took us along the beautiful waterfront Promenade of Commencement Bay while enjoying a breathtaking view of Mt. Rainier towards the Boathouse Marina and made a U-turn. At the U-turn, everyone received a second purple Mardi Gras necklace. The course distance of 3K equals 1.8 miles.
My friend Tina and I RAN the event. Once we made the U-turn, I was able to high-5 everyone on my way back to the finish line. What a way to show there is HOPE AFTER STROKE!
At the finish line, Libby and I awarded everyone their third and final necklace.
We met both our goals. We raised awareness about strokes and we raised a lot of money for National Stroke Association!
To view all 300+ pictures, go to www.RO3K.shutterfly.com
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