Walker Wednesday #7

Ashley RosenbrockFoundation Blog, Walker Wednesday

Know Before You Go

Can you believe the ALS Walk for Life is only three days away? We are so excited to see everyone again at Soldier Field so soon. From everyone at the Foundation, thank you so much for attending the Walk and being a leader in the fight against ALS.

Here are some frequently asked questions to get ready for this Saturday:

Do I have to register to attend the event? Yes. All participants must register and sign a waiver to attend the Walk. Register online in advance to skip the lines.

When does the event start? Registration will begin at 9:00 AM and the Walk will kick off at 10:30 AM.

What happens if it rains? We walk rain or shine, so be prepared for all inclement weather. Bring sunscreen, bug spray, blankets, jackets, ponchos, umbrellas, etc.

Is there a registration fee to participate and/or a fundraising minimum? There is no registration fee or fundraising minimum. However, to be eligible for the official event t-shirt, the $100 fundraising minimum must be met toward your individual fundraising goal. Team fundraising totals will not be eligible for fundraising incentive prizes.

Is the event wheelchair friendly? Of course! Accessibility around the venue and along the Walk route is critical and our top priority.

What is the Walk route? The walk includes a two-mile stroll along the lakefront in Chicago, finishing with a trip around historic Soldier Field. The course map can be found here.

What will happen at the Walk? In addition to walking together in solidarity around the Chicago lakefront, the Walk will include food trucks, live entertainment, children’s activities, educational opportunities, and many team photo areas.

When/where are the support group meet-ups? Support groups will meet at the Support Group tent at the following times: 9:00 am- 9:20 am Moving Forward After Loss with Easton Stevenson, 9:30 am- 9:50 am ALS Caregivers and Navigating ALS 1 with Anne Lidsky, 10:00 am-10:20 am Navigating ALS 3 with Rochelle Walwer, 12:00 pm- 12:20 pm Navigating ALS 2 with Karen Steffens, 12:30 pm- 12:50 pm Living After Loss with Easton Stevenson.

Can I bring my dog? Only certified guide dogs are allowed inside Soldier Field and all must be leashed and under their owner’s control — no exceptions.

Can I bring a tent? To ensure everyone’s safety, pop-up tents are not allowed. You are still welcome to bring tables, chairs, blankets, etc., but we ask that you leave your tents at home.

How do I get to Soldier Field? Soldier Field’s address is 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605. Exit Lake Shore Drive via 18th Street and the entrance to the Waldron Parking Deck will be on your left. Directions are available on Soldier Field’s website. Please allow plenty of time for traffic and parking.

Where do I park?

General Parking – There is plenty of convenient and easy parking in the Waldron lot, which is located south of Soldier Field and can be accessed from 18th Street. Each car will be expected to pay upon arrival (cash and credit card accepted). Please note that the parking fee is regulated and collected by the Park District and therefore, we have no control over the amount.

Reserved Parking for People Living with ALS – Handicap parking spots will be reserved for people living with ALS on the lower level of the Waldron parking garage. If you or your team needs to reserve a spot, contact the events team at events@lesturnerals.org or 847 679 3311. There will also be plenty of handicap-accessible parking spaces in the Waldron garage available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Handicap Drop-off – There will be a drop-off point north of the gathering area. It is located on the east side of Soldier Field, in front of Gate 14, and can be accessed from Museum Campus Drive. Once members or items have been unloaded, drivers will be directed to the south lot which can be accessed from 18th Street.

How can I help spread the word about the ALS Walk for Life?

Help us go viral by using #ALSWalkforLife when posting on social media.

Top Team Fundraisers

About Les’ Spirit $49,871

Dave’s Coconut Kids $31,500

Lane’s Walkin Ducks $25,065

Top Individual Fundraisers

Jim Walsh $18,750

Patrick Dillon $14,500

Harvey Gaffen $12,000

Resources
All Participants Must Register

Everyone who will be on-site and participating in the Walk, regardless of age, needs to sign up for the event and sign the event waiver. Skip the registration line on event day and sign up your crew online.

Fundraising Incentive Prizes

Encourage your team to upgrade their fundraising to receive this year’s Walk t-shirt and these other exciting fundraising prizes.

Social Media Toolkit

Post our customizable graphics on your social media to share your involvement in the ALS Walk for Life.

Access the Social Media Toolkit

Facebook Group

To stay informed on Walk information or to share your ALS story, join our ALS Walk for Life Facebook group!

Join the Facebook Group

Team Captain Kit

This guide includes tips on recruiting teammates, how to motivate your team, fundraising 101, online and offline fundraising ideas, a team captain checklist, & exciting fundraising prizes.

Access the Team Captain Kit

Always feel free to reach out to us with any questions. We’re here to help.

Thank you for joining us in the fight against ALS.

See you soon!

Riley Kelly

Senior Associate, Events and Development

rkelly@lesturnerals.org

 

847 745 6051 Direct

847 679 3311 General

Kim Kempf

Director, Events and Partnerships

kkempf@lesturnerals.org

 

847 745 6024 Direct

847 679 3311 General