Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s?
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness
and funds for Alzheimer research, care and support – and it calls on people of all ages to take action in
the fight against Alzheimer’s.
The Walk is a community event that joins friends, family and co-workers together as they walk to end
Alzheimer’s. Participants typically register in teams of 10-12 and raise funds using tools provided by the
Alzheimer’s Association. Walks vary from one to three miles and are held in nearly 640 locations
nationwide. Since 1989, the Walk has raised more than $492 million for Alzheimer care, support and
research.
How do I register?
To register online, go to www.alz.org/walk and search by state, chapter or zip code to find your event. If
you don’t want to register online, call us and we will register you over the phone.
You can also register on the day of the walk at our on-site registration table. Registration opens at
8:30am in most of our 6 walk locations. Check the homepage of the site you are participating in for
specific information.
How much is registration?
This event is a "friends asking friends" event with no registration fee. Participants are asked to raise
funds in the spirit of the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association. Participants who raise a minimum of
$100 are eligible to receive an official Walk event T-shirt.
Do I need to register my children for the walk?
Children who are under 18 should register and have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian in order to
participate. If you would like to fundraise and ask for donations in order for your child to receive a shirt,
registration is encouraged. Kids’ sizes are available in limited quantities.
DONATIONS
Where do the funds from the Walk go?
Your gift will help the Alzheimer’s Association to support essential Alzheimer programs, research and
services within your community.
Alzheimer's Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
How do I donate?
There are several easy ways to donate:
• Donate over the phone by calling our office at 800.272.3900
o Make checks payable to The Alzheimer’s Association and mail to:
Alzheimer’s Association
6350 Center Drive, Suite 102
Norfolk, VA 23502
• You can also bring cash donations here to this location.
How do I turn in donations?
Turn in your donations either by sending checks through the mail or coming by our office.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE MAIL.
Donations can also be turned in the day of the walk. Make sure all donors are clearly listed and that you
are marked as the participant who should be credited with these donations. We accept donations
everyday so please do not hesitate to come by our office or mail them ahead of the season’s busiest
months.
During the heaviest fundraising weeks of the walk (September-November), please allow up to 2 weeks
for donations that were mailed to post.
What if my donors need a receipt?
When a donor gives online, they will receive an automatic thank you letter that can be used as a receipt.
All other acknowledgment letters will be mailed after the event. If you donated to a Walk event and you
didn’t receive a thank you letter, please contact us.
I mailed a donation to the Walk but it’s not listed on my honor scroll.
Please allow 10-15 business days for processing. If the donation does not appear after 15 business days,
please contact us.
What can I do to make sure my donations are credited to my account?
Make sure your donors know that they need to credit your account when donating online.
If they are unable to donate online, please print out the donation form located on your Web page (the
link for this form is found within the template) and include it with their donation. This form contains
information that will ensure that you receive the proper credit for all donations.
If someone donates to your campaign and you weren’t credited for the donation, please contact the
office and we’ll make sure that the donation is properly attributed. In order to assign proper credit to
your personal fundraising page, you must be registered for the event. Registrations not found will be
credited as a general walk donation or a general team donation. If you are not sure that you have
registered, please go online to the walk site you are participating in and find your name. If you are still
unsure, please call our office.
Can I send in donations for more than one participant in one envelope?
Yes, but please be very specific as to how the donations should be credited. The more information you
provide the faster we can process your donations. Also, in order for donations to be processed, the
participant must be registered. Please make sure this is the case before sending money in. If you would
like us to register the person who you are asking to be credited, please include a hard copy registration
form which you can download from the event site. They must sign the waiver included at the bottom of
the form.
What happens to the donations if I can no longer participate in the event?
Refunds are made available upon donor request, but all donations go to support the Alzheimer’s
Association’s mission whether the walker participates or not.
Are donations tax deductible?
All donations are tax deductible in the same calendar year your donation was processed to the extent
allowed by law. Please work with your tax professional to determine what deductions you are eligible
for.
TEAMS
What is a Walk Team?
Teams are the heart of the Walk - people working together to support the millions affected by
Alzheimer's. Team up to have fun, make new friends and support a great cause. Teams are made up of
family, friends and coworkers all on the MOVE to end Alzheimer’s.
How do I start my own team?
Starting a team is easy. Invite three people, and they'll invite three people - before you know it, you'll
have a team.
How many people do we need to form a team?
We recommend that a team consists of 10-12 people who raise an average of $225 per person. But we
have also seen success in teams that consist of 2-6 people. The way we look at it, the more the merrier.
How can my company participate?
Companies can participate by organizing teams of employees to raise funds and walk in the event
and/or be a corporate sponsor. National or large regional companies interested in participating in more
than 10 locations may be eligible to participate in our National Team Program. For more information,
please contact [email protected]
Is it difficult to organize a company team?
Not at all! Once you appoint a team captain, he or she will act as a liaison between your local
Alzheimer’s Association and your company. The Alzheimer’s Association will provide tools and coaching
so your team is sure to succeed!
Is participation on a company team limited to employees of the company?
No. Team participation is encouraged among families, friends and neighbors of employees.
Does having a team require some kind of corporate donation?
Corporate donations are encouraged but not required. The majority of contributions will be generated
by your individual team members. However, corporate matching gifts can enhance employee
fundraising efforts.
What can senior management do to facilitate a company Walk team?
Management can encourage team participation in a variety of ways:
• Sign up for the team.
•
•
•
Draft and distribute a company-wide memo or e-mail endorsing the Walk.
Authorize/host company-wide recruitment, informational meetings and an internal kickoff.
Purchase incentives to encourage their company’s commitment to the event.
ONLINE TOOLS
There are numerous tools available online through the main hub at www.alz.org/walk. You can
fundraise through social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.
I forgot my Username and Password.
Go to alz.org/walk, find your walk (search by state, chapter or zip code) and click the log in button.
Below the entry blanks for your username and password, click “Forgot Username and/or Password?”
If you still have questions, please contact Alan Ibarra, IT Manager at [email protected].
How do I unsubscribe from e-mail?
You can opt out by following the link at the bottom of most e-mails that you receive. You can also
contact us at [email protected] and we will take you off of the Walk e-mail list.
I’d like to keep up to date with the chapter and its events aside from Walk. How do I do this?
Send an email to [email protected] and put Add to E-Newsletter Mailing in the subject line. We send out
a monthly e-newsletter letting our constituents know about area events benefiting our chapter and any
available training.
PERSONAL WEB PAGE
What is a personal page?
A personal page is a Web page provided by the Alzheimer’s Association as an online fundraising tool
for Walk participants. Your personal page is where friends and family should go when they want to
sponsor you in a Walk event. They can donate online or print out a customized donation form to mail
in with their check. Your personal page is automatically created for you when you register online. We
encourage you to personalize your page with personal photos, stories and a color scheme – it will be
much more interesting for your visitors when they see your passion!
How do I email current/potential donors from my personal page?
You can compose e-mails in your E-mail Center (look for the E-mail tab in your HQ) and send them to
potential donors. Manually enter your recipients or click “Address Book Import” to upload your Outlook,
Yahoo address book or CSV file. Create your own e-mail message or select one of the templates we’ve
started for you. Potential donors will receive an e-mail from you that leads them directly to the donation
tool on your personal page.
I would rather send an e-mail directly from my e-mail account.
How can I lead donors to my personal Walk page?
When you set up your personal page, you can create a “friendly URL.” This URL should be a short
combination of words or numbers that is easy to remember. For example,
http://act.alz.org/2012SHR/goto/Team. Create your friendly URL in your HQ page under “URL
Settings.” Click on this hyperlink. Follow the directions. This can be added later. Make sure to include
this URL in your e-mail so recipients can easily visit your personal Walk page and donate.
How can I see who has donated to me?
Log in to your HQ and click on the View My Progress tab on right hand navigation. You can view all your
donations here, who gave to you, when, and how much. You may not see some donors as anyone who
makes a donation, has the option to remain “Anonymous”. You can also opt to receive an automatic
email anytime anyone makes a donation.
How do I thank my donors?
Log in to your HQ. Click on the E-mail tab. Click on Address Book. View By: Recent Donors. Check off the
name of the donors you want to thank via e-mail. Click “Send E-mail to Selected Contact.” Choose a
greeting field (ex. Dear Friend, Dear *insert first name*) and save. Go to the Template drop down box
and chose the “Thank you for your donation” e-mail template or create your own. Preview the e-mail
and proof. Once it is finalized, hit send!
FUNDRAISING
There are plenty of ways to start fundraising for the Walk. Remember all individual registered
participants who raise $100 or more are eligible to receive a Walk to End Alzheimer’s event T-shirt.
Make a donation to yourself.
Did you know that walkers who start their fundraising with a self-donation typically raise more than
double the amount of those who don’t? Don’t worry about how much you contribute. It can be as little
as $5. Every little bit helps. Set a great example for yourself by showing your dedication to the cause.
Reach out to your community.
Are you crafty? Do you knit scarves or belong to a car club? Want to get rid of old stuff by putting on a
neighborhood garage sale? Do you bake? Host a spaghetti dinner at your house and charge people per
plate to have dinner on you and help raise money for the cause.
Reach out to your workplace.
Ask your HR Department if you can host a “Casual for a Cause” day at your office. In exchange for a
donation, your co-workers can dress down for a day. The local office can provide you with stickers and
brochures. Learn more by contacting the Alzheimer’s Association office.
Matching Gifts
Many workplaces will match a portion of the money their employees raise for charity. Find out from
your HR Department what you will need to do.
Reach out to your local Walk Staff.
The staff has a wealth of information, tools and ideas to help get you on your way to fundraising
success. Call us to share fundraising tactics, exchange ideas or ask us for the best way to reach your
goals.
CHAMPIONS CLUB
Raise $500 or more for the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association and you’ll
join the elite ranks of the national Walk to End Alzheimer’s Champions Club. Members of the club will
receive their Walk to End Alzheimer’s event T-shirt, a Champions Club commemorative medal, a
fundraising badge on your personal online page, a Thank You Certificate from our national office and
recognition on the national Walk Thank You page. Members of the Champions Club must have $500 of
individual fundraising credited to their personal page (as opposed to team efforts) by the day of Walk.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Utilize the power of social fundraising. You can find icons for facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to share
your personal page with. Simply click on the icon you wish to connect to and follow the directions.
What if I want to raise funds but I can’t participate in the actual walk? Will I still have access to
fundraising tools?
The 2013 virtual Walk is a great way to show your support if you can't attend the event or if there is not
a Walk in your area. You will have the same level of access to fundraising tools as other participants, and
all of the dollars you raise will go toward the support, care and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s
Association.
GENERAL EVENT QUESTIONS- please check the event information page of the
walk location you are participating in for any changes.
General Day of Event Schedule
8:30A- Registration and Check-In begins
9:40A- Opening Ceremony
10:00A- Walk Starts
11:30A- Walk Totals, Closing Ceremony
12-12:30P- Event ends
Are strollers, wheelchairs, bicycles and inline skaters allowed to participate?
Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. All walk routes are handicap accessible. However, for everyone’s
safety, bicycles, inline skates, wheelie footwear, skateboards and scooters are not allowed.
Is the Walk a competitive event?
No, it is not a race. It’s an all-ages, all-ability, family-friendly walk event to raise awareness and funds for
the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission.
What happens if it rains?
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is held rain or shine unless the event of a natural weather emergency
occurs. Please stay tuned to your local weather channel or if you are unsure, you can call our 24/7
Helpline for more information at 800.272.3900.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON WALK DAY
Please check the homepage of your desired Walk location for detailed information.
All walks include:
Scenic 1-3 mile walk options
Music
*Promise Garden (see below for detailed description)
Fun, family activities
Food and Beverage Area
Info on Alzheimer’s Association Programs & Services
Info about Corporate Sponsors products
* Promise Gardena visual mission element introduced to the Walk brand in 2010. Walk participants are encouraged to
pick the color flower that most represents their commitment to the cause and reason for walking.
BLUE- I have Alzheimer’s disease
YELLOW- I am a current caregiver to someone with the disease
PURPLE- I have lost someone to the disease
ORANGE- I am an advocate of the cause
Participants have the opportunity to personalize their flower with their reason for walking and carry it
with them as they walk or place it in the Promise Garden.
OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
If you're unable to participate in the actual walk, there are still plenty of ways you can get involved as
a volunteer. Whether its 2 hours or 20, we rely on volunteers in the community to help us move the
cause forward.
Contact us at 800.272.3900 to learn how to help. You can also go to our website at
www.alz.org/seva and fill out a volunteer form. Send it to us and we can proceed from there.
Event planning committee: Enjoy details? There many event-related responsibilities that
require the assistance of dedicated volunteers all year round. Help your local Alzheimer's
Association plan activities before or after the event. Meetings begin in mid-late February.
Event day: On the day of the event, we need volunteers to help set up, greet walkers, clean
up, sign walkers in, assist on the route, serve food and more!
Team captains: You don't have to walk to be a team captain! As a captain, your big job is
rallying walkers and motivating them to raise funds and awareness for our cause.
Team builders: Join staff and other volunteers as we help teams raise money! You can help us
recruit new teams, motivate walkers and provide assistance for those who need some help with
fundraising.
Administrative support: Help make team packets, call participants and team captains either
encouraging them to sign up or thanking them for registering, and support the office staff in
various administrative tasks.
Questions? Have ideas? Contact us. We want to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] or call our
800#.