Support for 11th Annual PAR Walk Surpries Many

It seems like it's been longer than 5 months since team leaders met to establish their teams and begin the process of raising funds for Parkinson Association of the Rockies (PAR).

According to PAR, 60 teams were registered prior to the event this year.  That is a record.  In addition, a fundraising goal of $100,000 was established for the event.  Last check found, that goal was close ($94,665) to being surpassed as well.

Walkers make their way around Grasmere Lake.

Walkers could choose between a 2 mile and a 1 mile course.  The longer course provides walkers the opportunity to see both Grasmere and Smith Lake up close.  This course also passes by Park flower gardens, still in the process of being planted. 

KOOL 105, Denver's KOOL Classic Hits, provided music for attendees, on a near perfect early Sunday in June.  

The large crowd stretches out along the 2-mile route.

The "Fight PD...(with) EXERCISE Team" was established last year.  There were 7 walkers, and over $500 was raised for PAR.  The message announcing this years' event went out in March and again in April to friends, neighbors, and family members.

Typically people don't commit early in the process to either donate or physically participate in this type of event because of other commitments and busy summer schedules.  So it was with little concern that week after week went by without sending reminders out.  As I anticipated, each week, I fond myself receiving cash or personal checks.  It was encouraging to stuff it all in an envelope.  Each of the final two weeks before the event, I made a trip to the PAR offices on Colorado Blvd., to drop off what funds had accumulated.

Washington Park has many tranquil scenes like this on at Grasmere lake.

Things were looking good.   Periodically, I checked the team page on-line, and was pleased to see the amount raised go from $300, to $400, to $500, then $600, and a surge with funds from the envelopes, surpassing $700 then $800 toward the team goal of $1,000.00.

Official "Fight PD...EXERCISE team" buttons.

When checked just hours after the event was over, the amount donated was $825.  So regardless if you did or did not receive an invitation to donate to PAR this year, you can still do so through the month of June by going to the following web site.  Click on "donate today" and follow the instructions.  Be sure to mention my team name.

parkinsonrockies.org

Thanks in advance for your support of my team and PAR.  It can be noted that all monies raised will support the ongoing programs offered by PAR and those currently lliving with Parkinson Disease.

Avid fans of the annual Vitality Walk include (front L to R), grandsons Connor (green tee), Dylan (black tee), Dylan's friend, Dax.   Behind them is  Son-in-law, Darren (D-Mac, 104.3 the FAN) McKee.

There were 12 walkers this year, short of the goal of 25 but a nice increase for sure.  Thanks to my friends at the yoga class, at Scheitler Rec. Center.  Thanks also to my fellow hikers in the High Country Hiker group, based at the Aurora Center for Active Adults for their ongoing support.

Join the team in 2014.

As for the event itself, the day began with a high degree of excitement.  A near cloudless sky greeted JoAnn and me as we made the drive to the parking lot adjacent to the south end of Washington Park.  As we pulled in to the parking lot, the vehicle immediately in front of us was our daughter and her family.  The core of the team was on site.  It would be a wonderful day for sure.

Walkers for "Fight PD...EXERCISE team, front (L to R) Dax and Dylan. Second row (L to R) Linds Saiz, Mary Bralic, JoAnn Alleman, grandson, Connor, daughter, Kim, and Luisa Sandoval.  Back row (L to R) Robert Saiz, Nancy Bralic, Gary Alleman, and Darren (D-Mac) McKee.

Event Coordinator, Kari Buchanan, said after the event, it was gratifying to see everything come together so well after many hours of planning, hundreds of phone calls, email, plus meeting after meeting to ensure all logistics were in place, on-site vendors were confirmed, and the community at large was kept informed of the event.

Check back to this blog for final results of the 2013 Vitality Walk.