Welcome to Walk Now for Autism
Tacoma, WA 2008

Saturday, July 19, 2008
Cheney Stadium - Tacoma, WA

Congratulations!  Tacoma raised OVER $80,000 for autism research!

Your donations are still welcome and will count until the end of September!

Over 800 walkers came out to Cheney Stadium on a beautiful Saturday morning to raise funds and awareness for autism. Having already raised $61,000 before the event, walkers brought with them more than $18,000 to bring our total to date to $79,000! And the money keeps rolling in! Our books will remain open for six more weeks. So if you have pledges, now is the time to get them mailed in so they'll count towards this year's numbers.
 
During our opening ceremony, Mayor Bill Baarsma read the proclamation he gave Autism Speaks earlier in the week declaring July 19th as Autism Awareness Day for the city of Tacoma. Mayor Baarsma pledged his support to our local families affected by autism. Melanie Roach, Olympic Weightlifting Contender, expressed her joy that she is bringing the message of Autism Speaks to the world stage by her participation in the Olympics.  And Bill Krueger was given a special tribute for his dedication and faithful service to Cure Autism Now and Autism Speaks.
 
Thank you to all of our sponsors: Toys 'R Us, Parade Magazine, Nationwide Insurance, Golden State Foods, Auto Warehousing and MVP Physical Therapy; media sponsors Comcast and Emerald Outdoor, and in-kind sponsors Starbucks, Safeway - Bonney Lake, Albertson's - Bonney Lake, Fred Meyer - Bonney Lake, Top Foods - Lake Tapps, Clif Bars and Talking Rain Water.

We hope you will join our inaugural Grand Club for those who raise $1,000 or more! Grand club members will get special commemorative pin and special recognition at the walk, the recognition event, and on the website!  Our Grand Club members so far are: Stephanie Hare, Susan Barlet, Joe Kennedy, Amanda Schulz, and Emily Hadley. 
 
Thanks to all of you who made this day such a success! If you are interested in being a part of our planning and implementation for next year, let us know! We would love to have your help.
 
Keep watching for information about a "Walk Planning Kick Off" next January.

2008 National Walk Sponsor: