West Texas Walk Now for Autism Attributes Fundraising Success to Walkers' Events
West Texas kicked off the April Walk Now for Autism calendar with its fifth annual event on April 4. With over 2,600 participants raising over $135,000 in two locations, the fundraising total continues to climb with teams doing year-round fundraising.
Read more and view photos.
Nancy Hughes and Missy Burson served as team captains for two of the most successful fundraising teams for the West Texas Walk. When they decide to fundraise, they dream big and it reflects in their combined fundraising totals – over $40,000 in 2009, so far!
Nancy Hughes and Missy Burson served as team captains for two of the most successful fundraising teams for the West Texas Walk. When they decide to fundraise, they dream big and it reflects in their combined fundraising totals – over $40,000 in 2009, so far!
Dorilou Oiler, committee member, cut the ribbon with her family and some Storm Troopers to begin the West Texas Walk.
Nancy Hughes' team,
"Charles in Charge,"
holds multiple events throughout the year based on what they like to do – eat, cook and make crafts. The team focuses its fundraising on what is popular in the community – a small town with only one high school. They create items which incorporate the school mascot and colors whenever possible. They make and sell jewelry, wooden crosses decorated with beads, turquoise and coral, and old horseshoes decorated with turquoise, at area festivals and events. To optimize their success, they always try to have the "shows" around gift-giving dates such as Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
Although the Walk has already happened, that does not stop the “Charles in Charge” team. In the coming months, they are hosting jewelry-making classes and a Bunco night to raise additional funds.
Although the Walk has already happened, that does not stop the “Charles in Charge” team. In the coming months, they are hosting jewelry-making classes and a Bunco night to raise additional funds.
Top West Texas team Haskell Heroes has raised over $24,000 to date.
Two hours from Eastland is the small community of Haskell, Texas, with only one stop light and no Wal-Mart. The community team, “Haskell Heroes,” led by Missy Burson, has raised over $24,000 to date by holding multiple events leading up to Walk day. This year's events included a garage sale, a talent show, a CD of the talent show, Sonic Day, a t-shirt sale, and more. Burson also has friends who donate proceeds from their in-home companies. Creativity is the key to holding successful events in Haskell.
The fundraising efforts of the these two teams are just a couple of the great success stories in West Texas which led to their overall success this Walk season, and year-round. Below, read two more examples of fundraising success from South Florida and Los Angeles.
The fundraising efforts of the these two teams are just a couple of the great success stories in West Texas which led to their overall success this Walk season, and year-round. Below, read two more examples of fundraising success from South Florida and Los Angeles.
On March 30, team
"Morales Family"
hosted a Karaoke Challenge fundraiser at the Sandbar Grill in Coconut Grove, Fla which raised over $11,000. The Morales family filled the Sandbar Grill with over 200 people. Adam Kuperstein from NBC6 Sports, the celebrity emcee, and Bernie from Karaoke Miami kept the crowd pumped. With support from local restaurants and the Miami Heat's donation of a signed poster and ball, the auction that night was also a success. What better way to raise funds for
Miami-Dade Walk Now for Autism
than singing and dancing the night away!
Morales Family team captain, Nora Morales, performs at the Karaoke Challege fundraiser in Coconut Grove, Fla.
Zack Gonzales is a high school student who has a younger brother with autism. His uncle, a former Los Angeles Dodger, helped him develop a baseball-themed event called “Play Now for Autism” where children with autism could participate in a game for free. He obtained sponsors, entertainers, and vendors and enlisted the support of his family, friends and neighbors to donate food, raffle items and t-shirts that they could sell. He designed a flyer, got a local paper to write about the event and was even contacted by a local radio station. On the big day, 400 people enjoyed a day in the park along with the overwhelming emotion of seeing their kids bat, run, throw and just have a wonderful experience. Local service providers brought in a petting zoo and trampoline. In between the two games, a concert was held. A teen with autism amused the crowd while drawing the raffle prize numbers. Zack's hard work paid off, raising $2,500 for the
Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism,
and he's already figuring out what to improve for next year so he can make even more money!
Los Angeles families enjoyed the “Play Now for Autism” festivities.
High school student Zack Gonzales raised $2,500 for the Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism with his "Play Now for Autism" event.
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