WALK NOW FOR AUTISM IN GREATER BOSTON

Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism
Sunday, October 19th, 2008
Suffolk Downs Race Track
Route 1A - East Boston
If you haven't already registered, please visit


A Fantastic Kick-Off

Thank you to all who attended the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-off event at Cafe' Escadrille on August 7th. It was a phenomenal and truly inspiring evening. Special thanks go to our wonderful speakers: Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks; Congressman John Tierney, 6th District, Massachusetts; Dr. Timothy Buie, a pediatric gastroenterologist with the LADDERS Program at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and Jessica Wilson who is a mother, fundraiser and autism advocate. You can watch a video of Jessica's incredibly inspiring speech by clicking the link: HERE



Participant Information and Tools

If you have already registered for the Walk and have not yet received your Walker Welcome Packet, please visit HERE and click on the Fundraising Tools button. There you will find donation forms, participant and team captain guides, fundraising tips and more.

Have Fun with Your Fundraising - Raise $500 in just 5 days
Day 1:
Ask four family members to sponsor you with $25. Remind your brother of the time he drove your car and didn't fill up the gas tank.

Ask five friends to contribute $20 each. Promise never to drink red wine in their living room with new carpet again. Ever.

Day 2:
Ask five neighbors to contribute $10 each. Return the snow blower and tree trimmer you borrowed last year.

Day 3:
Ask five co-workers to contribute $10 each. If they refuse, jam the photocopier and volunteer to fix it… for a small fee.

Ask your boss for a $50 company contribution. (Or better yet, find out if your company will match what you raise!) Do nothing that will get you fired.

Day 4:
Ask five people from your hobby group or organization to pledge $10 each. You must be a part of this club/organization more than a week before asking for money. No hit and runs.

Day 5:
Ask four businesses that you frequent for a $25 donation each. Ask after your haircut, not before.

Congratulation to the TOP teams that have already raised $10,000 or more.

Teamsters Local 25 - captain Trish DiSilva
Katherine's Team - captain William Sansone
Courtney's Crew - captain Courtney Fredericks

Each of these team captains will receive 2 tickets to the game on the Red Sox Autism Awareness Day on September 9th AND participation in our on-field opening ceremony.

YOUR team can still win - We will select 2 more team captains to win the opportunity above. Just bring your team's fundraising total up to $10,000 or more by Friday, August 29th! The next TOP two team captains for the Greater Boston Walk will win. Check the Walk website to see who is in the lead:

We are proud to announce that Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) has partnered with Autism Speaks as a $50,000 Corporate Visionary Sponsor.
Visit DCU

Special offers below... please read on and please pass this e-mail along to your contacts / address book.

Raise your Fork to Help Families Affected by Autism

Uno Chicago Grill wants to curb your hunger and help Autism Speaks™ as they raise money August 30 - September 1. This Labor Day weekend, you are invited to dine in or out all day long at your area Uno Chicago Grill and have 20% of each bill (excluding tax and tip) donated to the Greater Boston Walk.

It’s simple, just print out the Uno Dough Rai$er™ voucher which can be found here: http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/8103_AUTISM_ticket.pdf
and turn it in at the end of your meal.

Help spread the word - please pass this coupon along to friends and family by email. They can participate outside of Massachusetts as well. Participating markets include; Illinois, Massachusetts, Florida, Maryland, and the New York area.

Uno Chicago Grill Named "America's #1 Healthiest Chain Restaurant" by Health Magazine, and one of the ten "Best Family Restaurant Chains" by Parents Magazine. Uno Chicago Grill also offers a Gluten Free menu upon request.

Please click on the link below and print the voucher to take with you when you dine any time over Labor Day weekend. You can make copies and dine as often as you'd like and also share the vouchers with others.

VOUCHER

A complete listing of participating locations can be found HERE.

Another Red Sox Fundraising Incentive

This is a big one... The number one individual fundraiser for the 2008 Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism as of 9:00 am on September 19th (exactly one month before the Walk) will get to throw out the first pitch at the Monday, September 22nd Red Sox game at Fenway Park. The winner will receive the first pitch ball engraved with their name, their name on the scoreboard, announcement of their presence on the field and 4 tickets to the game that night.
Community Outreach

Walk brochures, cardboard stand-up holders and colorful posters are now available. Please
e-mail us at greaterboston@autismspeaks.org if you would like any to post in your community. It would be wonderful to have people in all of the Greater Boston areas put Walk posters up in their favorite local spots, town library and public bulletin boards. Ask your dry cleaner, salon, grocery store or doctor's office if you may put up a posters or display some brochures.

Need help with local publicity? The staff and planning committee members for the Walk are happy to help you. Write a letter to your local newspaper with a "Why we walk" personal story. Contact us if you need examples or additional help getting the word out in your community. Call 617-924-1225 or e-mail greaterboston@autismspeaks.org.

WALK FOR AUTISM

New Hampshire Walk Now for Autism
Sunday - October 5, 2008
Greeley Park - Nashua, NH

Walk Information
Our walk this year will be on Sunday October 5, 2008. Registration will be at 10:00am and the walk at 11am. Our walk will be held again at Greeley Park in Nashua, NH. We are pleased to announce that our band from last year Steve and Friends will be returning. On walk day there will be face painting, bouncing houses, massage, popcorn, drawings for great pizes, and arts and crafts.

To register for the walk please go to HERE.

Interested in volunteering on walk day? Please EMAIL: newhampshire@autismspeaks.org for more information.



Team Captain Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure that you have completed all of the steps necessary to have a successful Walk Now for Autism team this year.

* If you haven’t already registered, register as Team Captain ONLINE
* Set a fundraising goal and “people” goal for your team
* Make sure all team members have registered themselves on-line
* Involve your company/employer
* Did you email your co-workers to join the team?
* Did you involve your boss to rally your company team?
* Encourage all team members to be active fundraisers for autism research, awareness and advocacy
* Email or call team members regularly to answer questions and check on their progress
* Create team tee-shirts, buttons or a banner to increase your visibility on Walk day

8 quick, simple Steps to Raising $1,000 before Walk Day...

Step 1 - Start by donating $25 to yourself
Step 2 - Ask four family members for $50 each
Step 3 - Ask ten friends to donate $20 each
Step 4 - Ask five co-workers to donate $20 each
Step 5 - Ask five neighbors to donate $20 each
Step 6 - Ask 10 people from your school, place of worship or gym to donate $20 each
Step 7 - Ask your boss for a $50 company donation
Step 8 - Ask five businesses that you and your family frequent for a donation of $25

Every little bit helps you reach your goal - and adds up quickly!

Donations
Encourage your donors to donate online through your personal page on our website. They don't have to write a check, you don't have to fill out a separate form and it gets credited to you much faster!

If you have donations in form of a check, send them in now. You won't have to bring them on Walk Day - one less thing to worry about as you're headed out the door to join the fun!
Don't forget to send in a completed donation form along with the check (made out to Autism Speaks). It's wise to write your participant ID on all checks as well. This will ensure that you get credit for your hard earned efforts. Please allow 2 weeks for the donation to show up on your personal page.

Updates

Thanks to Mike Gibeault who held the first ever Chatter Cup Hockey Tournament at the Ice Den in Hooksett, NH. He has graciously donated $20,000 to Autism Speaks! The 2nd annual Chatter Cup has already been scheduled for next year and will be on July 31-August 2 2009. We will continue to give you updates on next years event.

Mail all donations to:
Autism Speaks
Donations processing
5455 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

And don't forget to check out the exciting walk incentives! How about a DVD player or an iPod?

Thank you again for your support as we Walk Now for Autism! Please do not hesitate to contact the Autism Speaks New England Chapter Office for further information at 888-627-6227 or by email newhampshire@autismspeaks.org. We are here for you!

LOOK FOR OTHER RESOURCES HERE AT ASA
GRATITUDE HERE

New Hampshire Walk Now for Autism

Sunday - October 5, 2008
Greeley Park - Nashua, NH

Kick-off Information
We are pleased to announce that our kick-off this year will again be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH. It will be on Tuesday July 22 from 7:00pm-9:00pm. To RSVP please go to For more information please email newhampshire@autismspeaks.org or call 888-627-6227.

This event will feature New Hampshire native Molly Ola Pinney, founder and director of the Global Autism Project. For more information please click here.

Upcoming Events

Dear Friends and Family,

In support of Autism research, we're hosting a fund raising event in early August. The event, a 3-day Men's Novice Hockey Tournament with a BBQ and Pizza Party, will be held at the Ice Den Arena in Hooksett on August 1st, 2nd and 3rd. In addition to the Hockey Tournament, we are also conducing an on-line auction (see link below). We invite you to take a look at the items that have been donated in support of our fund raising efforts - there's some really great stuff listed! Our goal is to raise more than $ 20,000 + for this great cause.
If you'd like to help...

* Visit the on-line auction...AND BID!
* PLEASE forward this email with the on-line auction link to your family and friends - the more traffic we get, the more funds we can raise!
* JOIN US on August 1st, 2nd and 3rd for some great hockey and fun for the whole family (visit from the Hooksett Fire Department, Bounce House/Slide for the kids, DJ Music, great food etc.)
* Make an individual donation in whatever amount you would like, checks can be made payable to Autism Speaks NH Division and can be mailed to 30 Gailor Lane, Hooksett NH 03106


Walk Information
Our walk this year will be on Sunday October 5, 2008. Registration will be at 10:00am and the walk at 11am. Our walk will be held again at Greeley Park in Nashua, NH.

To register for the walk please go HERE
Interested in volunteering on walk day? Please email newhampshire@autismspeaks.org for more information.



Team Captain Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure that you have completed all of the steps necessary to have a successful Walk Now for Autism team this year.

* If you haven’t already registered, register as Team Captain online HERE.
* Set a fundraising goal and “people” goal for your team
* Make sure all team members have registered themselves on-line
* Involve your company/employer
* Did you email your co-workers to join the team?
* Did you involve your boss to rally your company team?
* Encourage all team members to be active fundraisers for autism research, awareness and advocacy
* Email or call team members regularly to answer questions and check on their progress
* Create team tee-shirts, buttons or a banner to increase your visibility on Walk day

8 quick, simple Steps to Raising $1,000 before Walk Day...

Step 1 - Start by donating $25 to yourself
Step 2 - Ask four family members for $50 each
Step 3 - Ask ten friends to donate $20 each
Step 4 - Ask five co-workers to donate $20 each
Step 5 - Ask five neighbors to donate $20 each
Step 6 - Ask 10 people from your school, place of worship or gym to donate $20 each
Step 7 - Ask your boss for a $50 company donation
Step 8 - Ask five businesses that you and your family frequent for a donation of $25

Every little bit helps you reach your goal - and adds up quickly!

Donations
Encourage your donors to donate online through your personal page on our website. They don't have to write a check, you don't have to fill out a separate form and it gets credited to you much faster!

If you have donations in form of a check, send them in now. You won't have to bring them on Walk Day - one less thing to worry about as you're headed out the door to join the fun!
Don't forget to send in a completed donation form along with the check (made out to Autism Speaks). It's wise to write your participant ID on all checks as well. This will ensure that you get credit for your hard earned efforts. Please allow 2 weeks for the donation to show up on your personal page.

Mail all donations to:
Autism Speaks
Donations processing
5455 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

And don't forget to check out the exciting walk incentives! How about a DVD player or an iPod?

Thank you again for your support as we Walk Now for Autism! Please do not hesitate to contact the Autism Speaks New England Chapter Office for further information at 888-627-6227 or by email newhampshire@autismspeaks.org. We are here for you!

GREATER BOSTON WALK FOR AUTISM...WE NEED YOU

Register Online for the 2008 Walk!
Visit us online for some exciting announcements and incentives
SUNDAY OCTOBER 19, 2008
At SUFFOLK DOWNS
ROUTE 1A
EAST BOSTON, MA


Kick-Off Reception
You are invited. Join us for a fun, informative and inspirational event featuring special guest speakers at 6:30 pm on August 7th at Café Escadrille in Burlington, MA.

Team Fundraising Incentive
Team captains get ready. The next 4 teams that reach $10,000 in fundraising by August 15th will receive 2 tickets to the game on the Red Sox Autism Awareness Day on September 9th AND participation in our on-field opening ceremony.

Top Team Update: Teamsters Local 25
A HUGE thank you to the Teamsters who held a special Gala for Autism Speaks on March 8th and raised $125,000 for their team.

Purchase Puzzle Pretzels
5% of the proceeds from purchases of Bachman’s special Puzzle Pretzel will be donated to Autism Speaks. These fun and tasty puzzle shaped pretzels are available nationwide. Send the following link to your friends and family to find local stores that carry them:

Take Action for Autism Funding
Click on the link to send your support for a letter currently being circulated by Representatives Mike Doyle, Chris Smith, and Carolyn McCarthy, which seeks $15 million for autism research in the House version of the Fiscal 2009 Defense Appropriations bill, as well as full funding for Fiscal 2009 of the Combating Autism Act.
1. Call your state representative and senator at 617-722-2000. Urge them to support the larger Senate appropriation for the Division of Autism (Line Item 5920-3010).
2. Call the House Ways & Means Chair, Robert DeLeo, at 617-722-2990. Thank him for the increase in funding for the Division’s Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver and urge him to support the larger Senate appropriation for the Division of Autism (Line Item 5920-3010) in Conference Committee.
3. Call the House Ways & Means Chair, Stephen Panagiotakos, at 617-722-1481. Thank him for his support for the increase in funding for the Division of Autism and the Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver (Line Item 5920-3010) and ask him to please continue to support this funding in Conference Committee.
4. Pass this e-mail on to anyone you know who would make these calls. Send this to anyone who would dedicate 5 minutes of making these quick phone calls in support that can make a difference. Anyone who lives in the State of Massachusetts: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, coworkers, therapists, etc.

Volunteers Needed
Help is needed before the walk, with making phone calls, mailings and more. Contact us if you would like to get involved! 617-924-3300.

Committee Members Needed
We are looking for additional Walk Committee members. If you would like to help plan and implement this year's Walk, please contact us. We especially need assistance with public relations and logistics. Call 617-924-3300.

About the Walk Now for Autism Event

Join Autism Speaks as we tackle autism! Experience the power of thousands united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism. Start a corporate, school or family team today. Walk Now for Autism offers everyone a fun-filled experience with entertainment, refreshments, an autism community resource fair, and much, much more. Be sure to raise $100 to earn your commemorative Walk Now for Autism t-shirt. We look forward to seeing you at the event.

Whether you are walking, forming a team, volunteering, or just passing this e-mail along to your address book, THANK YOU so much for your help.

The Greater Boston Walk Planning Committee

WHAT IS DID?

Herschel Walker has DID. Therese Borchard has an article on Herschel Walker and his experience with DID. She relates an article written by Miriam Falco with CNN. She adds a little humor to the article but the idea that someone actually has multiple personalities is so far from the realm of humanity. That anyone has to live in the world without having a proper grip on their mind. The mind being the most powerful organ in our body, "rules the roost", so to speak. It is in charge if we let it. This is one reason why so many are attempting to gain control of their mind by using meditation and as Eckhart Tolle calls it "quieting the mind". The experience of meditation is the most effective way to find the voice "within". What is referred to as the higher power, the universe, God.