THE WACKY WALKER
4th Annual
"Walk for the Way"
Saturday, September 26, 2009

Volume 4, Issue 4

Countdown: 17 days until the Walk!

With Saturday, September drawing near, we will be sending out weekly communications like this one. The purpose of this e-newsletter is to address questions we receive from the Team Captains and to provide an update on the fundraising efforts of our local teams! We hope YOUR team is having a great success getting organized and raising money to reach your goal.

Show your support for the United Way of Collier County

be becoming a sign sponsor at the Walk!

Team News

Collier County Local Government Team: Congratulations to Collier County Local Government Team for raising $250.00 in their bake sale held on Thursday, September 3.

The Government Team is busy raising money to meet their goal. They are holding a "Bake Sale & Hot Dogs" located on the sidewalk near the Elections Office, Building C2 on Tuesday, September 15 (Bake Sale) 8:30 to 1:30 pm and (Hot Dogs) 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. If you are in the vicinity stop by.

The Collier County Local Government Team includes 7 different agencies: Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Health Department, Sheriffs Department, City of Naples, and the Board of County Commissioners.

Frequently Asked Questions

"Agencies"

Will agencies receive free T-shirts this year? Agencies will net be receiving shirts this year. You are strongly encouraged to wear your own shirts. The T-shirt deadline has passed.

How many bracelets will agencies receive this year? Each agency will be receiving 5 bracelets this year. If additional bracelets are needed you will need to pay $10 for admissions.

How many people should I have at the table? Each agency should have two people minimum, three max to avoid congestion behind the table. We suggest two at the table with the agency head floating around the entire area.

"TEAMS & INDIVIDUALS"

What should we bring? Sun screen, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes and bug spray.

What's new this year? Besides having the carnival style games and photo booth there will be hot dogs, chips, candy and soda available for sale.

How far is the Walk? The Walk itself is two miles long, but to make two miles you go FOUR times around the course we've set. So, if some Team members do not wish to go the full way, they can stop at one two or three times only around the course.

Will there be seating for participants? Bleacher seating is available for the event on a first come, first serve basis. However for more comfort, you may wish to bring your favorite lawn chair.

 

What is the entrance/registration fee? There is a entrance fee of $10 per person which includes a T-shirt.

Are pets allowed at the walk? No, Pets are not permitted in the park at any time?

"VENDORS"

How many entrance bracelets will vendors receive? Vendors will receive 3 bracelets in the mail within the next few days.

What time will set begin? Each of you will have a table assigned in what we call the "Vendor Village" at the Walk. Please plan on setting up your table between 7:00 am and 7:15 am the day of the walk.

Vendors remember, the following is prohibited: Selling food, membership or any time of goods; flashing lights, music, bullhorns or balloons; alcoholic beverages; selling crafts or arts and dumping of wast or liquids.

Vendors shall provide: company sign for table only, all equipment, merchandise etc; member of personnel to oversee both (3 maximum).

Persons wishing to enter the walk must have arm bands.

SUPPORTING SPONSORS and above SPONSORS who are wishing to display banner prominently at the Walk please deliver banners to the United Way office (848 First Avenue North, Suite 240) no later than September 16.

A Few Reminders.....

(1) TEAM CAPTAINS: A reminder that we would like all teams to turn in what they have raised towards their Walk Goal to the United Way office by Wednesday, September 23rd. That way we can make the great announcement that all the Walk about how much we all have raised for United Way! IF YOUR TEAM will be holding fundraising events up until the day of the WALK, just let Sheila Graham (261-7112) know when you will be making contribution!

(2) TEAM CAPTAINS: Please email Stephanie Robbins (stephanierobbinsatyourservice@gmail.com) with team names and team number particopants your team has up through the day of the walk.

(3) SIGN SPONSORS: If you or someone from your company will be purchasing a sign the deadline is approaching fast. The sign deadline has been extended to Thursday, September 10. If you have any questions contact Amanda Eberl (261-7112 or uwofcc1@aol.com).

(4) UNITED WAY AGENCIES: Each of you will have a table in what we are calling our "Agency Village" at the Walk. Please plan on setting up your table at 7:15 am the day of the Walk. We will have a sign on each table, with agencies arranged in alphabetical order, so all you need to do is find your table and set up.

Media Alert

As September rolls around the corner, the publicity machine for the 2009 Walk for the Way rolls with speed. Please watch for us and advise friends, family and colleagues of the following:

• In Studio Interview: Fox 4 Morning Blend Friday, September 25, at 8:00 am.
• In Studio Interviews: WGUF 98.9 Dave Elliott Show (3-6pm) and Bob Harden Show (6 - 9 am) Appearances confirmed Dates TBD.
• Media Outlet Web Page Inclusion: Fox 4, WINK TV, Azteca America, Naples Journal, North Naples Journal, Florida Weekly, Gator Country 101.9, The Bob 102.9, Mix 104.7, and Naples Talk 98.9 all started on September 1.

Many have comment about not being able to catch the FOX 4 Morning Blend Slot last Friday Morning promoting the upcoming Walk for the Way featuring Craig Bamberg, UW Executive Board Member/Special Events 2009. Here is the link to the segment. http://www.fox4morningblend.com/tabid/3530/story/35642/Default.aspx

Introducing Our Great

"Grand Marshalls"

We are privileged to have FOUR Grand Marshalls who will help us kick off and lead our Walker this year! They are:

• Dave Elliot, WGUF 98.9 Dave Elliot Show
• Sarah Augusthy, Wink News This Morning
• Carlos Zapata, D'Latinos al Dia, Azteca America
• Tracey Edwards, Fox 4 Morning Blend

We are very pleased that they will be on hand and have committed their Saturday morning to helping make the Walk, the United Way of Collier County, and our Agencies more visible in the community, and I know all of you are looking forward to meeting them!

Check out press release here by Mollie Page.

KlaasKids Safety Event

KlaasKids Foundation and Naples Alliance for Children will host a KlaasKids Print-A-Thon to promote and educate families about child safety and fingerprint and photograph children at no cost. Each participating child will receive a comprehensive packet of child safety tools. Using state of the art computerized systems that were originally designed for a federal law enforcement agency each child will receive digitized fingerprints, an updated photograph, a DNA Collection Kit developed by the California DNA Laboratory, pro-active child safety tips and a 9 point plan on what to do if your child disappears. Please contact Beth Jones (793-9503).

Check us out on

Go to the United Way of Collier County Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/United-Way-of-Collier-County/97694267343?ref=mf

Becoming a Fan of the United Way of Collier County page:
Once on the page click "Become a Fan" located towards the top of the page. This will post a message on your Facebook profile letting everyone know that you have become a fan of United Way of Collier County.

Sending Invitations to your Friends for the United Way of Collier County page:
On the left side of the page right under the United Way logo, click on the "Suggest to Friends" link. This will bring up a small box on your screen. This box lists all of your Facebook friends. Click on each of your friends that you would like to suggest the United Way of Collier County page to. Once all of your friends that you would like to receive an invitation are highlighted click the box that says "Send Invitations".

RSVP for the Walk for the Way 2009 Event:
On the United Way of Collier County page, there is a post that contains a graphic of the 2009 Walk poster and information about the event. Here you can click the link for "Walk for the Way 2009" and it will take you to the Walk Event page. On the right hand side of the page there is a box that says "Your RSVP", select Attending, Maybe Attending, or Not Attending. If you click on "Attending", you will be added to the "Confirmed Guest" list that can be found on that page.

Inviting Friends to the Walk for the Way 2009 Event:
On the "Walk for the Way 2009" event page, right below the poster on the right hand side of the page there is a link for "Invite People to Come". Click on that link and it will bring up a smaller box that lists all of your Face Book Friends. Click on each of your friends that you would like to invite to the walk. Once all of your friends that you would like to receive an invitation are highlighted click the box that says "Send Invitations".

Attention Miracle & Everblades Fans

Fort Myers Miracle and Florida Everblades Mascots scheduled to make special apperance at the walk. A perfect opportunity to have a photo taken in our photo booth this year.

Volunteers Needed Day of the Walk

Adult and student volunteers are needed the day of the walk! There are tons of different ways you can help... at a refreshment tent, in the carnival area, registration table, during setup and cleanup... WE NEED YOU! If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering the day of, please contact Robin Jones (261-7112, rjonesuwofcc@aol.com).