WALKER HANDBOOK

fundraising and teambuilding guide THE ALS ASSOCIATION GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER 321 NORRISTOWN ROAD SUITE 260 AMBLER, PA 19002 WWW.ALSPHILADELPHIA.ORG · 215-643-5434

Dear Supporter: Congratulations on making the decision to participate in The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter’s signature event, the Walk to Defeat ALS®. If this is your first time walking, you are about to embark on an exciting and rewarding adventure! If you have walked before, we are honored and excited to welcome you back. When you join the 2015 Walk to Defeat ALS®, you will have a direct and significant impact on the lives of loved ones struggling with ALS every day. The Walk to Defeat ALS® program is a great way for families, friends and co-workers to get involved and honor, remember or walk with a person with ALS.

Since its inception in 2000, the Walk to Defeat ALS has raised over $200 million to support the vision of the ALS Association: create a world without ALS. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people across the country bring their determination, energy, and passion to the Walk to Defeat ALS® . This is an opportunity to bring hope to people with ALS, to raise money for a cure, and to join together to fight for something we care about. We are proud to announce that in 2014 The Greater Philadelphia Chapter’s seven Walks raised more than $1.8 million dollars and had over 14,000 people participate! The money raised at the Walks is used to fund programs and services on a local level and to fund cutting-edge research on a national level. Now that you have registered, we want you to become one of our top fundraisers. As a walker, you truly care about helping people who have ALS. Thank you for partnering with us to achieve the ultimate vision: a world without ALS. Did you know the most effective way to raise funds for the Walk is through an e-mail campaign? The amount of time it will take you to send an email is nominal, but the impact you can make is tremendous. We’ve figured out the math. Same Amount of Walking + More Emailing = Greater Success. Will you be part of the equation?

MEET THE TEAM NAME: Julie McKeever, Events Manager My favorite thing about Walk is: My favorite thing about the walk is watching families gather and make memories. The smiles we see walk day are priceless! NAME : Ashley Hendrix, Events Specialist My best Walk memory is: My best walk memory is the amount of support and excitement our fall walks had after the ice bucket challenge took over the country! While not only exceeding our walk goals, we had a ton of new teams and new faces at all of our walks. It was great to see so many enthusiastic people support our chapter. NAME: Allison Walker, Events Director This year’s Walk is exciting because: Because of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge there is more awareness of The ALS Association and the Walk to Defeat ALS® than ever before. This awareness will help make this year’s Walk program our most successful ever. I cannot wait to see you all at a Walk this year.

Please know that you will have a lasting impact on the lives of many people with ALS. The funds you will collect or personally contribute will increase The ALS Association’s capacity to provide vital core programs and services that are so desperately needed by ALS patients and their families. Thank you for joining us for our biggest and most beloved fundraising event! We look forward to walking with you. Please never hesitate to call the Chapter office at 215-643-5434 for help or more information. Our Best, Allison, Julie and Ashley Walk Coordinators

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CHAPTER 1: GET MOTIVATED www.GPCWalktoDefeatALS.org I’m participating in the ___________________________ Walk to Defeat ALS ® (name of your Walk)

My Walk Details Location: ______________________________________________________________________ Check-in: ______________________________________________________________________ Walk Starts: ___________________________________________________________________

My Walker Headquarters Details Walker Headquarters Username: ____________________________________________ Walker Headquarters Password: _____________________________________________ My Personal URL: _____________________________________________________________

My Walker Details Team Name: __________________________________________________________________ Personal Fundraising Goal: $ _________________________________________________ Team Fundraising Goal: $ _____________________________________________________

Other Notes _______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Team Members ____________________________________________

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Fundraising Effort

# of Gifts to Receive

x

Average Gift Amount

=

Total Amount

Email Appeal

$35

$

Letter Appeal

$25

$

Boundless Fundraising

$10

$

Dress Down for ALS

$10

$

Wrap-Around Event

$20

$

Personal Asks

$25

$

My Personal Donation

$25

$

Matching Gifts

$25

$

$

Total The ALS Association

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

ABOUT ALS, THE ALS ASSOCIATION, AND THE WALK TO DEFEAT ALS® Amyotrohic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Eventually, people with ALS lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement, which often leads to total paralysis and death within two to five years of diagnosis. For unknown reasons, veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as the general population. There is no cure, and only one drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) modestly extends survival. The ALS Association is the only national nonprofit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, the Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. OUR VISION | Create a world without ALS OUR MISSION | Leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

WHY I WALK…. ADVOCACY “Being an ALS Advocate in Harrisburg and DC gives me the opportunity to give back to an organization that was a lifeline when my best friend struggled with ALS.” – Maureen McPeak

RESEARCH “When I learned that my Aunt Pam had Lou Gehrig’s Disease, I wanted to find out how I could help. The first thing I did was raise money through the Walk to Defeat ALS®. With research, maybe the number of ALS patients will go down and we can help people just like my aunt.” – Kayla Wilson PATIENT SERVICES “The compassion and wonderful care at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter makes this tough journey a little easier to travel. Our fondest wish is this money raised can lead to more care and a cure for future generations. Until then, we will continue racing and we hope you will race for a cure at Walk to Defeat ALS® near you.” – Denny Lupfer

WALKING VIRTUALLY Want to recruit a team member who can’t be present on Walk day? Don’t let that stop you from asking. Virtual walkers can participate in the Walk electronically! You or your teammate can still make a big difference for people living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease by using the online participant center to send emails and collect donations without needing to attend the physical walk. Simply select “virtual walker” when registering online.

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CHAPTER 2: FUNDRAISING 101 I’M REGISTERED, NOW WHAT?

YOUR CHECKLIST FOR SUCCESS After you’ve registered for the Walk to Defeat ALS®, follow this simple checklist to ensure your efforts make a big impact in the fight against ALS. Personalize your webpage. It’s easy. Just log in to your online walker headquarters. Sure, the template we’ve provided is great, but friends and family who visit your page want to know the story behind your cause. Your personal webpage is a perfect avenue to communicate just that. Make the first donation to yourself. Your dedication will motivate others to take action too. Send emails using our online email tools. It’s a tried and tested method that always brings success. Log in to your walker headquarters where you can choose from a selection of sample messages or write your own to send to your family and friends. Whichever option you choose, the process is quick, easy, and sure to make your fundraising totals grow. Send follow-up thank you emails. Show your generous network of supporters how much you appreciate them. Your online walker headquarters makes it easy to send thank you notes to those who have donated on your behalf. Send reminders to those who haven’t responded. When your friends and family received your first email, they may have been too busy… too tired… too stressed. You can quadruple your chances for success by sending reminders. Did you know it takes 3 requests for the average person to take action? Don’t be afraid to keep asking! Ask your employer about their Matching Gifts program. Many companies will match their employees’ charitable contributions. Be sure to ask your employer about it! And don’t forget to ask all of the people who sponsor you to find out if they have a matching gifts program at their workplace. You can also visit www.matchinggifts.com/als to see if your company participates. Put on your favorite shoes and get walking! Once you complete every step, we promise you’ll find yourself on our list of all-star walkers. Give yourself a pat on the back and have a blast at the Walk to Defeat ALS®

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

FUNDRAISE WITH FACEBOOK! You’re already on Facebook all day, anyway, so why not ask those friends of yours to pitch in and help? We have had great success with the use of Boundless Fundraising a Facebook app that’s integrated with your Walker Headquarters! This allows you to ask for donations from everyone—even if you don’t have their email address.

WAYS TO USE BOUNDLESS FUNDRAISING 

Look for the icon to the right in your emails! You’ll also find the link in your Walker Headquarters, the Walker Tools page, and the Participant Announcements page.

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Install the App on Facebook

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Donate your Profile Picture: This will create a new album in your profile. In the pop-up window that appears, click Go To Album. Select the picture and click the link Make Profile Picture.

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Get the Word Out: Choose from 3 pre-worded status updates or create your own. When someone clicks on your update, they’ll be taken to a donation form on your behalf!

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Scheduled News Feed: Talk about setting and forgetting! You can set up your status updates months ahead of time, push a button and let it go. Your status will appear in your friends News Feeds on your predetermined schedule. If you get busy the week before the Walk, you’re covered!

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Share Your Story: Connect with other Walkers around the country and tell why you’re participating. Don’t have a direct connection to ALS? Read some stories from other Walkers and you’ll get inspired to help!

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Your Progress Indicator: Keep forgetting how to access your Walker Headquarters from the Walk site? Click the button for it in the Boundless Fundraising app and have a direct connection with your Walker Headquarters.

FAQS If someone clicks my link, where does it go? The user is taken directly to a donation form on your behalf. Once their transaction is complete, you will receive a notification (if you’ve opted into receiving donation notifications), and it will show up on your thermometer and scroll. My spouse/child/family member/coworker isn’t participating in the Walk, but they still want to install the App and help me fundraise. Can they do it? Sorry, but no dice. Only registered Walkers can install the app. This is because each record is attached to a donation form on the Walker’s behalf (and other boring technical details). If they would like to help you fundraise, consider asking them to post a link to your personal page on their status update. They’ll help out and you’ll get the fundraising credit. Better yet, get them to register for the Walk. We have a special participation type for people who can’t be at the Walk, called Virtual Walker. I didn’t post anything. Why does it send a status update? Every day that you receive donations, Boundless Fundraising will let your friends know. Don’t worry, if you have a zero balance, that won’t be broadcast! It’s a great way to show them the progress you’re making, or let people know you need some extra help. Who do I contact if I’m having a problem? Please call your walk coordinator at 215-643-5434.

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

ONLINE FUNDRAISING HOW TO: UPLOAD YOUR EMAIL CONTACTS Log into your Walker Headquarters and click the E-mail tab. Then click, Address Book Import. You are given the option to import from a Yahoo! or G-mail e-mail address or a CSV file. Select the account you would like to access. You’ll be prompted to grant access to your email for the purposes of retrieving email addresses. This may appear in a pop-up window. Once you have accepted this, click next. You will be given the option to import ALL or SOME of your contacts. Please feel free to pick and choose. You can always add all and delete later. Keep following the prompts to completion. Once your addresses are imported, you may create groups and contacts. Next to each desired contact’s name, you can select the checkbox, then choose Add to Group. Sending to groups allows you to target your messages. For example, a message to your book club could read, “Instead of bringing wine or a snack, please bring $5 to donate to the Walk to Defeat ALS®!” While a message to the coworkers group could say “Tomorrow morning, skip your usual Starbucks run! I’ll be making lattes in the break room and you can donate what you would have spent on your coffee.” In addition to the groups you can create, we’ve created some groups that will be populated based on the actions of your contacts. You’re welcome! These groups include: All Donors, Past Donors and Recent Donors and for Team Captains All Team Members and Recent Team Members

SEND EMAILS To add addresses to your email message select them from your Address Book and select send e-mail to selected contacts. Next, choose your message! Take a look through our templates before trying to come up with your own. We’ve done the thinking for you. All you have to do is customize it! Important Note: Please read through your template message before you send it; we may have asked you to fill in your name or team name. When you think it’s good to go click send e-mail. Each email sent from your Walker Headquarters includes links to your personal page and team page (if applicable). These messages are also trackable in the Email tab. You can check and see which recipients have opened the message, visited your page, and made a donation. This allows you to follow up with those who may not have made a donation yet.

QUESTIONS Do you store email addresses? Yes and no. The contacts you upload are available for your eyes only! The ALS Association cannot see this information, but it is attached to your record. If you register keeping the same username as in previous years, you will be able to use the same contacts year after year. What happens if no one donates? Don’t give up! The average person receives 100 emails a day. If you haven’t heard back from a friend, chances are that they just overlooked your email. Don’t be afraid of sending another. Three reminders is perfectly acceptable in a 3 month time span. Can I delete emails of people who shouldn’t be in my contacts list anymore? Yep! You can delete a contact as long as it isn’t an active donor. See duplicate listings in your contacts tab? Clean ‘em up!

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

PUT THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING! In addition to writing letters and emails, why don’t you try out one of these clever fundraising ideas? Auctions

Matching Gifts

Babysitter Service

Marshmallow Golf Tournament

Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction

Monday Night Football Party

Bake Sale

Money Jars

Birthday Gifts

Night at the Movies

Block Party

Odd Jobs

Boss for A Day

Office Olympics

Brown Bag Lunch Week

Ornament Sale

Cake Walk

Party With a Purpose

Car Bash

Payroll Deduction

Carwashes

Pizza Sales

Cell Phone Fines

Poker Run

Challenge by the Boss

Quilts

Coin Drive

Raffles

Concession Stands

Raffle a Day Off

Craft Fairs

Restaurant Programs

Dance Off

Roll Those Pennies

Dog Walkers

Social Networking

Donut Days

Sports Tournaments

Dress-Down Days

Swear Jar

E-mail Signature

Team Spirit Day

Errand Service

Team T-Shirt Donation

Fish Fry

Ugly Sweater Contest

Firefighter Fashion Show

Vacation Day Drawing

Flower Sales

VIP Parking Spot

Follow up on your asks

Wall Of Fame

Game Night

Walk to Defeat ALS® Paper Pin-Ups

Garage Sales Golf Tournament Guest Bartender Hat Day Haunted House Ice Cream Socials

Wedding Wishes Wristbands Xtra Cents Yard Sales Zumba®-thon

Jail & Bail Kiss a Pig Contest Kitchen Tools Sale Lawn Service Letter Writing The ALS Association

For instructions on these, plus other great ideas, check out the WALKER TOOLS section of the website! 8

Walk to Defeat ALS®

HOW TO RAISE $1,000 IN TEN DAYS (YES, WE SAID TEN DAYS!) 1. Sponsor yourself for $50 2. Ask 2 of your family members to sponsor you for $50 3. Ask 10 friends to contribute $20 4. Ask 5 co-workers to contribute $20 5. Ask 5 neighbors to contribute $20 6. Ask 10 people from your place of worship to contribute $10 7. Ask your boss for a company contribution of $50 (or better yet find out if

your company will match what you raise!)

8. Ask 5 businesses or companies with which your business works to sponsor you for $40 9. Ask 4 businesses you frequent to contribute $25 10. Share your success with your friends and family!

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

SPREAD THE WORD Help us get the word out about the Walk to Defeat ALS®! Walk donation collection envelopes and posters are available for your use. They’re a great accessory to display in your favorite coffee shop, grocery store, or school. They’ll go anywhere you can imagine. Call our office to request as many as you like and will use. The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter 321 Norristown Road Suite 260 Ambler, PA 19002 215-643-5434 www.alsphiladelphia.org

DOUBLE YOUR DOLLARS… IN NO TIME! Even after all of your fundraising work is complete, you still may be able to double your dollars! Many companies will match their employees’ charitable contributions. Be sure to ask your employer about it. And don’t forget to ask all of the people who sponsor you to find out if they have a matching gifts program at their workplace. You can also visit www.matchinggifts.com/als to see if your company participates.

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

SNAIL MAIL LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGN It may sound old school, but the old-fashioned pen and paper technique still works for Walk teams who do it right. If you think a letter-writing campaign is a good option for your network of friends, follow these simple steps for success.

STEP 1: CREATE A MAILING LIST The key is sheer volume. The larger your mailing list, the better your chances for success in fundraising and team recruitment. Be creative and think big. It never hurts to ask, especially for such an urgent cause! Did you include?  address book  email address book  cell phone contacts  holiday card list  fellow members in clubs or organizations  co-workers  friends from your place of worship  former teachers  former classmates, teammates, roommates  former co-workers or neighbors  dry cleaner  grocer  doctor  veterinarian

STEP 2: WRITE YOUR LETTER There aren’t any clear cut rules, but you can get a great start by using this strategy! Explain ALS and how it has impacted your life. Tell your friends and family about the devastation caused by ALS and the urgency of the cause. If you have a friend or family member who has been affected, consider including a photo of him or her. Provide information about The ALS Association. Make sure people know how their donation would be used – to care for patients suffering and to fund research to find a cure! Mention our fundraising goal and reinforce that their donation makes a difference. Give a call to action. Ask your friends and family to join your team and start fundraising or to make a personal donation to support your efforts. Remember to include a self-addressed stamped envelope and ask that checks be made payable to The ALS Association.

STEP 3: MAIL YOUR LETTERS AND WATCH YOUR FUNDRAISING TOTALS RISE!

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Name,

As you may know, my wife was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease three years ago. Since that time our children and I have watched her physical abilities rapidly decline. She is now in a wheelchair and has quickly lost her ability to move and speak. When Debbie was diagnosed, doctors estimated she had only 2-5 years to live. We have quickly learned first hand that this is a devastating disease, physically, emotionally and financially.

This year, we have started a team for The ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS®. We want to build a HUGE team to show Debbie our support. Our team goal is to raise $5,000 which will be used to fund patient services and research to find a cure through The ALS Association.

I’m writing to kindly ask for your support in this endeavor. You can support Debbie’s fight by joining our team or by making a donation at [insert team or personal page URL]. You can also make a check payable to The ALS Association and send it to us at:

John and Debbie Walker 555 Defeatit Lane Walker City, PA 19002

Thank you so much for your consideration and support. Together we can make a difference for Debbie and thousands of others living with ALS just like her. Every dollar makes a difference!

John and Debbie Walker Looking for other templates? We’ve got bunches, so check out the Walker Tools section of the website! You can copy and paste the samples so you make your changes easily! The ALS Association

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

CHAPTER 3: WALK DAY THE BIG DAY Now, it’s time to sit back, relax, and celebrate your success at the Walk. Get some exercise, meet other ALS supporters, and enjoy entertainment for both kids and adults. Plan to meet your Walk teammates at a specific location prior to the Walk so you can gather for a team photo. Make sure to arrive early so you can enjoy the entertainment and festivities. And don’t forget to wear your team t-shirt! Pay close attention to communications from our office for day-ofevent details, including directions to the Walk site, parking, and more.

WE WILL WALK RAIN OR SHINE In the event of rain, please plan to come out and walk with us. Make sure you visit the check-in table and turn in any donations you haven’t already submitted.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS Pulling off a successful Walk to Defeat ALS® event requires a lot of volunteer support. We need you to recruit helpful hands to assist us on the day of the Walk! Please keep this opportunity in mind when you are recruiting friends, family, and co-workers to join you! Volunteer opportunities include registration, course guides, helping with finish line festivities, set-up, breakdown, and much more. If you are walking and would also like to volunteer, please let us know well before the day of the event, so we can assign you to a task that will not interfere with the Walk itself. To volunteer for a Walk call 215-643-5434.

The ALS Association

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

CHAPTER 4: EXCLUSIVE! FOR TEAM CAPTAINS RECRUIT WALKERS When it comes to the fight against ALS, there’s strength in numbers. And when it comes to your Walk team, the more the merrier! The larger your team, the more money you can raise and the faster you can achieve your fundraising goal. Try to register your team members at least 30 to 90 days in advance of the Walk and let them know you expect them to raise money!

ACT AS TEAM’S MAIN POINT OF CONTACT You’re the communication link between The ALS Association and your team. Keep your team members informed. You are their link to important Walk details. In your Walker Headquarters, you can post messages to your team that will show up in their Walker Headquarters. Don’t assume everyone knows the details; they don’t!

DISTRIBUTE MATERIAL Let us know what resources you need (like donation collection envelopes, posters etc.) We’ll get you the materials and you can distribute them to your team.

MOTIVATE In a sense, you’re the coach for your team. Keep your team members motivated and on track. Are they sending emails to raise funds? Are they getting the word out? Provide leadership and encouragement for each member of your team. First and foremost, your job is to make sure that each team member becomes a fundraising member who makes a real impact on the fight against ALS.

CREATING YOUR TEAM T-SHIRT Show your team spirit at the Walk by sporting matching team t-shirts. Choose a vendor and get creative. We like to see bright colors that make your team stand out. Remember to keep it cheap! A good range is between $4 and $6 per shirt for a small quantity. Average production time is 3-4 weeks. So don’t delay! Ask us for vendor references.

EXTRA TIPS FOR CAPTAINS 1. Never stop recruiting fundraisers. 2. Set a good example for your teammates by updating your personal page, sending emails, and tracking your progress. 3. Communicate often with your team members and schedule team meetings. 4. Design a team t-shirt for Walk day. 5. Give advice and suggestions on ways to fundraise. 6. Be an encourager!

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Walk to Defeat ALS®

Team Captains - Take the Team Challenge Add your team logo or name to the back of the Walk t-shirt! Any team captain who has at least 10 registered walkers online and a team total of at least $2500 one month prior to the date of the Walk in which they are participating can have their team’s logo or name listed on the Walk t-shirt given to all walkers. 1. Encourage your walkers to register online 2. Reaching the $2500 goal is as simple as having 10 people raise $250 each 3. Statistics show that walkers who register online raise the most funds 4. Enjoy your team’s success on Walk day

Highest Youth Fundraiser We will recognize the highest youth fundraiser at each one of our 2015 Walks with an award. In order to q ualify for the highest youth fundraiser category, the walker MUST be registered online and must be 13 years old or younger on Walk day.

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Join the Extra Mile Club Take the extra step and pledge to raise $1,000 as an individual or $2,000 as a couple. Extra Mile Club Benefits: 

Walk to Defeat ALS® note cards which you can use to thank your supporters

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Extra Mile Club Gift

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Extra Mile Club button and sign on Walk day

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Recognition at the Walk to Defeat ALS® award ceremony on Walk day

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Your name listed on an Extra Mile Club sign at Walk Start/Finish area

To receive the Extra Mile Club benefits, pledge of $1,000 for an individual or $2,000 for a couple must be fulfilled and turned in to The ALS Association office, no later than two weeks before the date of the Walk in which you are participating. In order to be eligible for the Extra Mile Club, walkers must select yes during registration.

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Walk to Defeat ALS®