What a weekend! Thousands of people in four different communities hit the streets to take part in Walk F.A.R. for NAAR– our signature fundraising and awareness effort. Last weekend's walks included Pittsburgh, as well as inaugural walks in New York City, Baltimore and Portland. All together, these four events raised more than $980,000 in this one weekend.
In each of these four cities, NAAR sends a special thank you to the chairpersons, fundraisers, volunteers, team captains, sponsors, committee members and walkers. It is because of your support and dedication that we are able to make a difference each day in accelerating the pace of autism research.
Despite early-morning rain, the sun was shining when 2,500 came out to Castle Clinton in Battery Park on Saturday June 4th. We're proud to say this group from all across the New York City area raised more than $270,000. And the Battle of the Boroughs is far from
New York City
over. The NYC Walk Team is accepting post-walk donations through the end of July.
Thanks to walk chair Jesse Mojica and all of the committee members as well as the following honorary chairs: Louis Alvarez, Iris Silverio-Alvarez, Deputy Borough President Earl Brown, Joe Mantegna, Councilman Hiram Monserrate, Aidan Quinn, Jim Watkins, Lauren Watkins and Walt Willey. A note of gratitude to Jim Watkins and Walt Willey for serving as Masters of Ceremonies and to New York City Walk Manager Stacy Fass. For more information, visit www.autismwalk.org/NYC [1].
Pittsburgh
“Steel City” once again came through for a great cause. Pittsburgh's 6th Annual Walk F.A.R. for NAAR took place Saturday June 4th at Heinz Field. It was another huge success. In all, the Pittsburgh area Walks brought out more than 8,000 people and broke the $500,000
For more information, visit www.autismwalk.org/pittsburgh [2].
mark. Pittsburgh's two new satellite Walks (Wheeling, WV and Blair County PA) brought in $13,000 and $20,000 respectively. Special thanks go out to Elaine Carfagna and Patti McCloud for once again leading Pittsburgh's Walk success, Amanda Hewitt, Walk Chair for Blair County and Crystal Bauer, Walk Chair for Wheeling. Thanks, as well, to Walk Manager Beth Whitehouse and all the committee members.
Baltimore
The National Capital Region (Virginia, Maryland & Washington, D.C.) has helped raise more than $2.3 million for NAAR in the past several years. This year, Baltimore began its own walk with the inaugural event taking place Sunday, June 5,th at Towson University's Burdick Field in Towson, Maryland. It was full of family fun-- bands, arts and crafts, costumed characters and more. More than 1,500 peopled turned out, raising more than $150,000. Special thanks to
co-chairs Susan & Tim Watkins, National Capital Regional Director Dale Glass and the Honorary Chairman, University of Maryland Basketball Coach Gary Williams. In addition, we extend our gratitude to Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and the Hon. Paul Sarbanes for serving on the Honorary Committee. For more information, visit www.autismwalk.org/baltimore.
Portland
They are certainly “Proud in Portland”, as we all should be. The inaugural Walk in the Portland/Vancouver Area took place on Saturday June 4th at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, OR, and helped raise $40,000 for NAAR. We are very proud to have had former Governor Barbara
Roberts, Pianist John Nilsen and Congressman Wu serving as honorary chairs. Special thanks to Northwest Regional Director Scott Ryan Moore.
It's not too late to register for a Spring Walk:
For information on all NAAR WALK events, CLICK HERE [3] or visit http://autismwalk.org [4]
