2009 National Walk-a-thon for Children with Apraxia
Saturday, October 17, 2009
"Unlock Our Voice, Open Our Future"
Benefitting the Apraxia Programs and Reseach of CASANA
About the National Walk-a-thons for Children with Apraxia
It all started in 2008 when 7 year old Sean Freiburger was traveling through a park near his home in Pittsburgh. Sean, who has had over 650 hours of speech therapy for his diagnosis of severe speech apraxia, saw a sign for a walk-a-thon and asked his mother what it was. Sue Freiburger, Sean's mom, told him that people were gathering together to walk and help others. Sean immediately said, "Why can't we do that for apraxia?" Given that just a few years earlier, Sue was not sure she would ever hear Sean speak at all, much less understand his questions, told him with a teary-eyed smile, "Yes, we can!"
Under Sue's leadership and Sean's inspiration, the first walk happened on October 18, 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA with Sean leading over 300 walkers in his effort to raise awareness about childhood apraxia of speech and funds for the apraxia programs and research sponsored by CASANA, the only national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to children with apraxia and their families (see Sean in the photos below). Two additional sites across the United States also participated, Seattle and Cheasapeake, Virginia. All told, over 350 walkers raised $33,000!
The 2009 Walk-a-thon for Children with Apraxia promises to be even larger and happening in many locations. For this year's walk, we have created documents to help you no matter if you want to organize a small walk (1 - 25 walkers) of family, friends, and/or neighbors or a large walk of 50 walkers or more. Plus you can participate in the VIRTUAL WALK FOR APRAXIA. The virtual walk allows anyone interested to register as a walker, receive the official walk t-shirt, and walk in the neighborhood or a local park whenever it is convenient. This is a great way to spread awarness no matter where you live.
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 How to Participate in the Walk
Register a site for the Walk-a-thon for Children with Apraxia
Walk-a-thon Information Packet
Walk-a-thon Forms
Share This Information with Others!!
2009 Walk for Apraxia T-shirt Image
Photos from 2008 Walk for Children with Apraxia
CURRENT WALK SITES:
Alaska Walk (Wrangell, AK)
Baltimore Area Walk (Ellicott City, MD)
Central Iowa Walk (Des Moines, Iowa)
Central Ohio Walk (Newark, Ohio)
Chicago Area Walk (Westmont, IL)
Deposit, NY Walk (Deposit, NY)
Fort Worth/Dallas Area Walk (Ft. Worth, TX)
Long Island Walk (East Meadow, New York - Abbie's Angels)
Louisiana Walk (Slidell, LA)
Minneapolis/St. Paul Walk (Waconia, MN)
Northern New Jersey Walk (Mountain Lakes, NJ)
Pittsburgh Area Walk (Pittsburgh, PA)
San Francisco Area Walk (Moraga, CA)
St. Louis Area Walk (Town & Country, MO)
VIRTUAL Walk (from anywhere in the entire world)
Below is an image of the 2009 Walk for Apraxia Tshirt that you will receive if you register for a walk!!
How to Participate in the Walk for Children with Apraxia
Register a Walk-a-thon for Children with Apraxia
Those who register their local walk with us will have their very own walk-a-thon page with access to fundraising tools to register local walkers. We are hoping for most walks to occur between Saturday, October 17, 2009 and Saturday, October 31, 2009. Simply complete the Walk-a-thon Site Registration Form and CASANA will be in touch with you regarding your walk-a-thon plans.
We welcome Apraxia Walks of all sizes, including the "virtual walk." A Virtual Walk is less "formal" and can be planned for 1 - 25 people who are just your close family, friends, or neighbors who agree to walk together at a central location on a specific date in order to help raise awareness and help raise funds for CASANA's Apraxia programs and research.
Apraxia Walk-a-thon Forms
2009 Apraxia Walk-a-thon Help Packet- Download this packet for all information related to registering and conducting a walk-a-thon for children with apraxia.
Apraxia Walk-a-thon Timeline Forms - download the timeline for the walk you hope to have in your community in order to stay aware of tasks that need accomplished.
Apraxia Walk Sponsorhip Form - Download this form to secure sponsors for your walk-a-thon
Apraxia Walk In-Kind Donation Form - Use this form for companies or individuals who want to donate items such as water, food, prizes, etc. We can make sure their gift is acknowledged.
Spread the Word - Use the "Share" Button below to spread the word about the Apraxia Walk-a-thon!
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