On Saturday, July 10, 62 people walked a mile (or two, or three) around Arizona Mills Mall's indoor walking path. The walk also included 20 virtual walkers, participating from paths in their home towns. It raised a total of $18,744.
We extend a very special thank-you to Regal Entertainment Group for generously contributing $3,000 as a "Pace Setter" sponsor! Their financial support allowed us to provide transportation to and from the walk site, as well as the "Go the Extra Mile for ACB" tote bags, and medals and trophies for our winners. In addition, we applaud Regal's commitment to making audio described movies available in most of their theaters!
We are grateful to Arizona Mills and their accommodating staff for allowing us to hold our walk in their mall.
Thanks to Orbit Research for donating an iBill talking bank note identifier, to School Specialty Store for a $100 gift certificate and to Dick's Sporting Goods for three $20 gift cards which were all used for prizes for our walk drawings.
Sincere appreciation goes to Vitamin Water and to Vistar for the snacks and beverages.
We couldn't have done it without all the wonderful volunteers who showed up to serve as sighted guides and assisted in a variety of other ways, too. Hats off to the host committee for your invaluable connections in the community and for all your hard work.
Finally, heartfelt thanks to each person who participated either as a walker or a pledger.
Trophies were awarded as follows: first place finisher was Robert Spangler; honorable mention to our second place finisher, Ken Stewart; and to our third place finisher, Ray Campbell. Our oldest participant was Teddie-Joy Remhild, and our youngest participant was Sara Conrad. Our top fund-raising individual was Donna Brown; our top fund-raising team was Cindy and Tim Van Winkle; and the affiliate raising the most was the Washington Council of the Blind. In addition to those mentioned above, others receiving trophies for having raised over $1,000 were Ron and Palma Milliman and Dan and Brenda Dillon. Medals were given to all participants who raised $100 or more in pledges.
Plans are already being discussed for the ACB walk venue in Reno. Let's all "go the extra mile for ACB" by seriously thinking about participating in next year's walk.