WE DID IT!   
The Terre Haute community hase raised over
$55,000 with more coming in!

October 17th was a truly phenomenal day (albeit slightly chilly day), bringing together over 1,700 people from the entire Terre Haute and surrounding areas, including Marshall, Vincennes, Indianapolis, Bloomington, parts of Southern Indiana, and many more areas. All in support of our families and to enjoy a day filled with acceptance, understanding, and community. We cannot thank enough all of our volunteers, committee members, sponsors, resource fair providers, media partners, donors, and participants. We could not bring this type of autism awareness without your trailblazing efforts into our communities.

The day featured entertainment ranging from an obstacle course bounce house, facepainting, temporary tattoos, horseback rides, hayrides, the musical stylings of 100.7 MixFM, a pre-walk stretch and dance session, to much more. The autism resource fair included providers from all across the region, ready to answer any questions we had. Special appearances were made by Geoffrey the Giraffe from Toys and Babies 'R' Us, as well as Firepup from the fire department and Skate World's mascot skating along the Walk route. Because of our presence in the community, we were proud to welcome Terre Haute's Mayor, Duke Bennett, who read a proclamation citing October 17, 2009 to be World Autism Day in the City of Terre Haute.  We honored our Grand Club members just before the Walk, calling our current 6 members to the stage, presenting the members with the official Grand Club pin, and taking a group photo. 

Special thanks to our sponsors, media partners, and in-kind donors: Bridges of Indiana, Harsha Behavioral Center, Bemis Company, and Eli Lilly - Elanco Animal Health, 100.7 MixFM, and WTHI-TV 10, 500 Express, and Pepsi.

 

Let's send in those donations and see if we can reach that $60,000 mark together!
For those of you that have yet to submit all your donations please be sure to mail them as soon as possible. to the address below.  Make sure to include an Offline Donation Form for each separate donation to ensure you and your team receive the proper credit.  
Over the next several weeks, we will be posting all donations received on Walk Day to the Terre Haute Walk website.  Be sure to check your team page to see your team totals grow.  The 2009 Walk website will remain open through December, so even those holiday donations can be counted towards your 2009 team.

Autism Speaks
Donations Department - Terre Haute Walk
5455 Wilshire Blvd. - Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

 

Would you like to see photos from Walk Day?
We have them for you!  Make sure to check out all of our photos, watching out for some familiar faces in the crowd.  Many thanks to our wonderful volunteer photographers who helped capture these special moments.  Team photos and a Walk Day video are coming soon.

Do you have Walk Day photos that you are proud of and would like to share?
Make sure to send them to terrehaute@autismspeaks.org or mail a disc to the address below so we may upload them with our other stash of photos!

Autism Speaks
1121 Olivette Executive Pkwy. - Ste. 220
St. Louis, MO 63132

Become a Fan - Visit the Terre Haute Walk Now for Autism Speaks Facebook Page!
If not, become a fan and raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders, share your pictures and fundraising stories. The page is updated with local events and news stories that are important to families in Terre Haute and the surrounding areas. Invite all your friends to become fans too!


New Study on Autism Prevalence
A new study published October 5, 2009 in the American Academy of Pediatrics' journal Pediatrics found a parent-reported autism prevalence rate of one in every 91 American children, including one in 58 boys.
For more information, click here.

 

NEW: Want to see some familiar faces from the community?
WTHI-TV 10 has focused on increasing awareness for autism and for the Walk.  Make sure to to view the news pieces featuring several of our very own Walk members.

Check out this video created by one of our Walk Co-Chairs which features many of our community's individuals with autism.  Do you have photos from a fundraising event your have held?  Make sure to send them to terrehaute@autismspeaks.org and they could be featured here!


2009 Terre Haute Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick Off Luncheon Pp


Need More Ideas?
With a little determination and a little creativity, we can make $55,000 a reality for our autism community. Our families need us now more than ever.

But do you feel like you have exhausted all of your asks? No worries. We have found that by sharing your Walk experiences and making your wrap around activities personal and fun, people will give to people. By hosting an activity, such as a $5 pot luck lunch at work, a dress down day, or even an after-hours gathering, people are more than happy to donate their time and energy for our cause.

The sky is the limit on your creativity, but if you need a little help finding quick, easy, and minimal-effort activities, visit this link for a complete listing.

Top Fundraising Tip of the Month
After registering, head to your personal page, click on 'offline donation form' on the left-hand side of the page, and print off enough copies to hand out to all of your neighbors, co-workers, and members of organizations you belong to.  Because no personally identifiying information is on these sheets besides your walker ID, they can even be given to local businesses, while still correctly pre-coded to be credited to you! 
 

Join the Grand Club!

Individuals who raise $1,000 automatically become members of this exclusive VIP Club. Encourage all your team members to reach a personal/individual fundraising goal of $1,000 and on Walk day each individual can enjoy: 

  • Public recognition                                                     Here's how YOU can
  • Group photo                                                             raise $1,000 by the holidays! 
  • Commemorative pin
  • Other surprises on walk day

CONGRATULATIONS to our current 2009 Grand Club Members: 

  • Robin Cox 
  • Kristopher Noll
  • Sue Hamilton
  • Carol Crawn
  • Nikki and Kale Bennett
  • Jonathan Burlison 
  • Heather Fields 
  • Peggy Burlison
  • Crystal Haskett 
  • And more who are so close they can taste it! Will you be next?  Your name will appear here!