These FAQs should help you with any questions that you have about the 2008 Long Island Walk Now for Autism. If you have other questions, please feel free to contact Autism Speaks directly at longisland@autismspeaks.org. The following topics are covered below:

Registration
Day of the Walk
Donations
Incentives/Fundraising Rewards
Matching Gifts
Volunteering
Community Resource Fair

1. For those who have registered online before Walk day, check-in at the Walk is a quick and easy. Everyone who is not already registered will have to register the morning of the Walk.

2. If you registered more than two weeks before the Walk, you received a check-in envelope through the mail which will move things along for you the morning of the Walk. You can use this to collect donations and bring them to the Walk, or send them to the Autism Speaks office. If you registered during the last two weeks, we will have envelopes at the Walk you can use.

3. Knowing how many people to expect will help us plan for a better event for everyone. We order all items based on how many people we have pre-registered for the Walk. 

 
4. Each person that registers will receive a webpage within the Walk Now for Autism website. This will give friends and family a place to go where they can donate directly to you online or get a donation form and mail a donation directly to us that will be credited to your page. You can also customize this page with a photo and special message.

FAQ - The Day of the Walk 

Are pets allowed at the walk?
Pets are not allowed at Jones Beach State Park at any time. Only service dogs are permitted at the Walk. 

Are strollers and wheelchairs allowed at the walk?
Yes. Strollers, wheelchairs and even wagons for the little ones are all welcome.

Do I have to complete the entire Walk?
No. The Walk is a celebration that brings the community together. You are not required to do the entire length or even walk at all. Just come and enjoy the day!

Is the Walk a competition or is it timed?
No. It is a fun, relaxing event, not a race.

Are bikes, rollerblades, scooters, or skateboards allowed at the Walk?
For everyone's safety, we cannot allow any of these items. Please note we also ask that “Heely Shoes” not be used.

I may not make it to the Walk when Check-In/Registration opens, can I arrive late?
Yes. Check-in will be open until the Walk concludes. We urge you to go directly to the Registration tent when you arrive.

If I don't pickup my t-shirt at the event, can I get one mailed to me?
Unfortunately, t-shirts are only available at the Walk. 

Will food be available for sale at the Walk?
No. However, light refreshments will be provided. Please feel free to bring along a picnic lunch.

What if my child has dietary restrictions?
We suggest you bring snacks or a meal appropriate for your child.   

What happens if it rains on the day of the Walk?
All Autism Speaks walks are held on the date scheduled "rain or shine." 

What do I need to bring with me the morning of the Walk?
Remember to bring your check-in envelope and any donations you have not mailed in. When you arrive at Jones Beach, please proceed to the Registration tent.

How does Check-In work?
There will be registration tables for individuals and teams who previously signed up on the Walk website. The process will be quicker for those who have already registered online, so we highly encourage you to do so in advance of Walk Day. However, you will be able to register the day of the Walk. There are four different registration areas: Pre-registered with Donations, Pre-registered without Donations, Non-registered with Donations, and Non-registered without Donations.

At check-in, individuals can turn in any donations for processing that they have not already sent in to Autism Speaks. Additionally, registration personnel will direct registrants to an area where they can pickup Walk t-shirts for those who have reached the $100 incentive level.

Do I need to check-in even if I am not turning in additional donations at the Walk?
Yes, we want to make sure we have waivers for all participants. It also helps us know how many people attended. If you are registered online before arriving, it is a very speedy process. If you reached the incentive level of $100, you will receive a t-shirt after you check-in.

Is there a charge for parking?
No, parking is free.

Will there be handicapped parking available?
Yes, attendants will direct anyone with a handicapped sign to the designated area.

FAQ - Donations 

Do I have to send in my donations? Can I bring them with me to the Walk?
While you can always bring your donations to the Walk, it is preferable that you mail them in as soon as you can to:

Autism Speaks
Attn: Long Island Walk
5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

What if people want to give me cash?
Sending cash through the mail is always risky. If you are able, the safest option is to send a personal check covering the full amount, along with the names of the cash donors, to Autism Speaks and we will be able to credit your friends and family for their generosity. If this is not possible, you can also bring the cash donations and appropriate donation forms to the Walk.

What if my donors don't want to donate online?
You can always have your donors mail their donations directly to Autism Speaks at:

Autism Speaks
Attn: Long Island Walk
5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Please have them indicate your name and team name on the memo section of the check.

Can I continue to collect donations after the Walk? Where do I send the checks?
Absolutely, please mail them to Autism Speaks at:

Autism Speaks
Attn: Long Island Walk
5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036
   
Will the money turned in at the walk show up on my web page and my donation report?
Absolutely. You should see your fundraising efforts reflected on your web page and donation report approximately four weeks after the event.

I turned in a packet at the Walk and do not see all the checks processed yet?
Autism Speaks will be running over 80 walks around the nation in 2008, along with countless other fundraising events, all of which must be accounted for. All donations to Autism Speaks should be deposited, processed, and posted to your web page approximately 4 weeks after the day of the event. If this amount of time has passed and you still do not see your donations on your web page, please contact Autism Speaks by email at longisland@autismspeaks.org.

How long will it take before the checks I mailed show up on my page?
Please allow 3 weeks pre-walk and 4 weeks post-walk for your donations to be deposited, processed, and posted to your web page.

Can I enter donations received via check to my webpage?
There is no way to enter these yourself. Please send all donations directly to Autism Speaks:    

Autism Speaks
Attn: Long Island Walk
5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Once processed, the donation will be reflected on your webpage.

Are donations tax deductible?
Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. Autism Speaks is a registered 501(c)3 organization.

Who should checks be made payable to?
Please ask your supporters to make checks payable to Autism Speaks.

FAQ - Incentives/Fundraising Rewards

How do I get my incentive rewards?
The incentive period will end 30 days after the Walk for any level above the t-shirt incentive. This will give you extra time to reach your desired levels. At that time, we will automatically send all incentive prizes within 6 to 8 weeks. The t-shirt can be picked up the morning of the walk and is only available at that time.

Are the incentives listed per team or per individual walker?
All incentives are per individual walker only. 

If my team raised $5,000, do I get the incentive for being the Team Captain?
Sorry, but at this time all incentives are per individual walker and not per team. 

How do I make sure everyone on my team gets a t-shirt?
T-shirts are for each walker who raises at least $100. If you are the team captain and receive donations, spread them around so each person on your team reaches the $100 minimum. All money credited to walkers goes towards your team total.

How do I waive my fundraising prizes and have the additional funds go directly toward research and other programs?  
At the end of the 30 day incentive period, you will receive an email and you can select this option at that time.

Why do we only have 30 days after the Walk to continue fundraising for incentives? 
The 30 day period is just for incentives, but you can continue to fundraise for 90 days after the Walk date.  You can continue to fundraise and ask for an extension on incentives at the end of this 30 day period when you receive an email regarding incentives.    

Why can't I pick up my incentive rewards at the Walk?
Many donations are turned in the morning of the Walk. It is difficult for us to know which level each person will reach at that time. After the 30 day period, you will receive an email letting you know which level you reached and when your item will be sent. At that time you can request a bit more time for donations to be collected and processed. For those who do not request an extension, incentives will be automatically mailed to your address.

If I reached the sweatshirt level, how will you know which size to send me?
The sweatshirt sizes run the same as the t-shirt sizes. We will use the size you chose for your t-shirt when you registered. If you would like this size changed, please let us know when you receive the email at the end of the incentive period. 

** Incentive Information Rules and Restrictions: 
Incentives are non-cumulative, unless noted. Individual participants will receive the $100-$249 level Commemorative T-Shirt and the prize of the highest level that they reach only. Incentive levels reached by a teammate do not apply to the Team Captain’s incentive levels. Each incentive is per individual participant only.

The incentive period ends 30 days after the Walk. After that 30 day deadline, incentives will be mailed to the address listed in your profile.

FAQ - Matching Gifts

I don't know if my company does matching gifts.  How do I find out?
Every company handles its own matching gift program differently.  To make this process easier, we have a website you can visit to see if your company has a matching gift program. That site address is:  http://www.matchinggifts.com/autism.  For companies listed on the site, instructions and contact information is included for that specific company.

If you don’t find your company listed on that site, please contact your company's Human Resources department for instructions on how to double your fundraising efforts through matching gifts.

Where do I send my matching gift form?
You can send your matching gift form to Autism Speaks:

Autism Speaks
Attn: Long Island Walk
5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

I submitted a form for matching gifts but do not see the donation on my page.  Where is it?
Autism Speaks cannot post a matching gift until the corporation involved approves it. Unfortunately, corporations all match gifts on a different timetable during the year. If you have questions regarding your matching gift, please contact your company to see if the donation has indeed been matched. If it has, please contact Autism Speaks by email at longisland@autismspeaks.org, and we will do everything we can to ensure that the donation appears on your page.

FAQ – Volunteering 

What volunteer opportunities are available?
There will be a variety of volunteer positions available on the day of the Walk. We need volunteers for setup, tear-down, manning registration tables, handing out water along the walk route, directing traffic and parking, etc.

How do I find out what volunteer opportunities are available and how do I sign up to volunteer?
We will provide you with volunteering details as well as register you as a volunteer. Please contact us at longisland@autismspeaks.org.

I want to volunteer with a team, can I only register myself and bring everyone else the morning of the Walk?
We need each person on the team registered so that we know how many volunteers to plan for and what t-shirt sizes to order for everyone.

Can I get a community service sheet for the hours that I volunteer?
Yes. We will have forms available the day of the Walk.

What time should I arrive and where should I go?  
You should plan to be at Jones Beach State Park at 8:00 AM on Walk day. All registered volunteers will receive an email a few days before the walk with detailed information (directions, parking, where to go, and what time to be there).   

Can my teenager volunteer with me?
Yes. When you register please let us know that there are multiple people who want to volunteer together. We’ll make sure that you are scheduled to together. 

FAQ – Community Resource Fair 

Walk Participant Questions:

What is the Community Resource Fair?
Our Community Resource Fair is made up of booths for local service providers and resources that are there to talk to you and your family about products and services offered. All goods and services highlighted are unique to the autism community (therapy, camp, products, services, schools, etc.). 

I know a local service that would be a great fit for the Community Resource Fair, how do I get them involved?
We are always looking for new information for our participants, but let them know the last day to register for the Resource Fair is September 26. They can register for a booth online or by contacting the Long Island Autism Speaks office. Please talk to them about the event and ask them to visit www.walknowforautism.org/longisland for general information about the Walk. They can contact us at longisland@autismspeaks.org or 631-521-7853 to register for a booth.

Booth Vendor Questions:

How do I get a Resource Fair booth?
You can register for a booth by contacting the Long Island Autism Speaks office. Please email us at longisland@autismspeaks.org or 631-521-7853 to register for a booth.

What is the fee for the Resource Fair Booth?
For-profit companies are charged $400 up until September 5, 2008. After September 5, 2008 For-profit companies are charged $500 when registering. Non-profit companies are charged $200 up until September 5, 2008. After September 5, 2008 Non-profit companies are charged $300 when registering. The fee is to cover the cost of the tents, tables, and chairs provided.

Can I get a booth with electricity?
Unfortunately, electricity is unavailable in the Community Resources Fair area.

What is considered a "Kid Friendly Activity?”
Below is a list of activities that have been offered in the past. Or get creative and offer something new:
       Face painter
       Bean bag toss
       Coloring books
       Playdoh table 
       Bubbles (please check with us for venue rules and regulations)
       Arts and crafts projects
       Carnival style activity