Autism Walk Congratulations/Thank You -- From Autism Speaks

Congratulations and Thank You!

We Did It! Over 600 teams and 20,000 people came together at Suffolk Downs Racetrack on Sunday, October 19th to raise $1,115,000 to date and counting for Autism Speaks! Despite the cool weather and winds, walkers united in one strong voice to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders – and the community was listening! We had fantastic media coverage of this event which is so wonderful since the event is equally about fundraising AND awareness! Click here... http://www.autismspeaks.org/walk_events/greater_boston_walk_2008.php for a brief recap of the Walk and YouTube footage from the event.

Fundraising Continues

You can turn in donations for this year's walk through December 31, 2008 and still receive credit to your personal or team fundraising. Please continue to raise funds right up until this date. It’s not too late to qualify for our great incentives!

$250 - $499 Walk Now for Autism Lunch Tote

$500 - $749 Walk Now for Autism Duffel Bag

$750 - $1,499 Walk Now for Autism Sweatshirt

$1,500 - $2,499 Walk Now for Autism Blanket

$2,500 - $4,999 All the Above Gifts

$5,000 - $7,499 Portable DVD Player

$7,500 - $9,999 iPod Nano

$10,000 & Above iPod Classic

Please send any additional donations to the address below and include a donation form for each contribution, with your team name and walker information to get proper credit.

Autism Speaks
Attn: GB Walk Donations

5455 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 2250

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Due to the large volume of donations received on Walk Day (over $200,000), it will take time to enter all donations onto the website. Please be patient and know that we are working as quickly as possible to update your team and individual totals. Additionally, the incentive prizes will be ordered and mailed to you after January 1, 2008 to ensure proper credit to all participants.

Ebaying for Autism

Want the perfect gift for a Celtics fan or sports memorabilia collector? Check out our Ebay auction for the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism. We have a 2008 Celtics Championship team basketball - autographed by the entire team! Check it out at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260305429779.

Never too Late... Did you find yourself running out of time to do those extra fundraising ideas? You can do them now! Host a dinner and charge $10 a head, throw a movie night at home with friends and family and tell folks to drop their donations at the door... the ideas for wrap-around events are endless. In lieu of holiday gifts this season, ask family and friends to consider a tax deductible donation to your Walk fundraising! You could also do this for birthdays, showers, etc. Continue your email and letter writing campaigns and add pictures from the Walk. To find more ideas about how you can fundraise post-walk, visit the fundraising tools link on the Walk Website.

Matching Gifts: If you have matching gift forms for you or your donors' company, please complete the employee section and mail to the address listed above.

Team Photos: Within the next month, all team photos will be emailed to each team captain.

Thank You! Thank you for joining Autism Speaks as we continue to tackle autism. The 2008 Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism was a HUGE success thanks to YOU! The goal for the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism is $1,600,000 so let's keep the fundraising going.

A Message from Greater Boston Walk Co-Chairs

Terri Farrell and Deirdre Legge

Our hearts are full today as we reflect on the past six months. We have met such incredible people during this journey and we are grateful to the thousands who have made this process so rewarding.

During the most difficult economic time since the depression, we have received the most generous gifts of time, talent and dollars. We are so fortunate to have had support from our friends at Suffolk Downs, Boston Culinary Group,Teamsters Local 25, Randy Price and WHDH Channel 7 News, Uno Chicago Grill, Digital Federal Credit Union and Blair Howell and Mass AV, to name a few. We were so thrilled to have the Honorable Mayor Menino kick off the walk, proclaiming October 19th as Autism Awareness Day in Boston. And thanks to our wonderful speakers, Sean O’Brien, President of Teamsters Local 25, Ann Guay from MA Advocates for Children, and Susan Gloor, Autism Speaks’ National Walk Director.

Words cannot express our deep appreciation for the support of the Greater Boston community. This walk would not have been as successful without the support of the New England Chapter Autism Speaks staff. Our special thanks to Melody Horgan, Greater Boston Walk Director, for her tireless efforts, enthusiasm and dedication.

We look forward to the 2009 Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism event and we hope you do too! With deep gratitude,

Terri Farrell and Deirdre Legge

Autism Speaks … Greater Boston is listening