Walk for Hope makes it easy for people of all ages to make a difference

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 6, 2007) — Offering a discounted “Family Pack” registration, a new partnership with the Y-Guides and Princesses program and lower rates to all full-time students, participating in the Annual Thad and Alice Eure Walk for Hope has never been easier. Scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 14, the 19th annual walk will raise funds for the research and treatment of mental illness.

“More than 1,000 walkers are already registered,” said Bebee Bason Lee, executive director of the Foundation of Hope for the Research and Treatment of Mental Illness. “However it is not too late to sign-up. Online registration will continue until noon on Friday, Oct. 12, and people can register on site the day of the walk.”

The family that plays together donates together
Families that play together now have more opportunities to give back to the community together. This year the Walk for Hope is offering a discounted “Family Pack” registration to families of up to five at a total cost of $150.

“Each walker is asked to raise $60 in donations,” said Lee. “For a family of three or more, that donation amount can really start to add up. We want to encourage more families to walk together.”

The family members can include parents, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins or any other family members. Children of all ages are included, and even their friends can join in on the “Family Pack” registration. Walkers under the age of 12 years old will receive a special gift for participating.

Walk for Hope, earn a red bear claw
This year, for the first time, the Walk for Hope and the Y-Guides and Princesses, part of the YMCA of the Triangle, are partnering to include the fundraising walk as an activity. Each child that walks with his or her tribe will earn a red bear claw from the program. The Walk for Hope will also award a special participation patch to each Y-Guide and Princess who participates.

“The YMCA Guides and Princesses Program is very excited to help with the Walk for Hope,” said Matt Strickland, director of the Y-Guides program. “The staff and the dads in the program feel that community service is an extremely valuable facet to our program. Furthermore, the dads in the program use activities such as the Walk for Hope to demonstrate servant leadership to their children.”

School groups can earn service hours
With some schools requiring community service hours, the Walk for Hope offers an opportunity for high school or college students to earn those hours while fundraising, walking or volunteering. As an extra incentive, all full-time students receive a reduced registration rate of $30.

“It’s exciting to see educators and students join together to help the community,” said Lee. “So far eight high school teams are registered, with the largest one, from St. Mary’s School, having more than 60 members.”

High school and college groups interested in applying hours to community service can contact Walk for Hope organizers at (919) 781-9255 or at walkforhope@walkforhope.com.

Everyone is welcome
“Of course, teams of co-workers, church members and any other groups are invited to join in the Walk for Hope,” Lee explained. “Each walker is asked to raise $60 in donations or pay an equivalent registration fee.”

Team captains can register groups online at www.walkforhope.com. Group fundraising ideas can also be found on the Web site, as well as a way to easily e-mail family and friends to request donations.

To learn more about the 19th Annual Thad and Alice Eure Walk for Hope or The Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness, visit www.walkforhope.com.

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About the Walk for Hope
Founded in 1984, the Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness is a nonprofit philanthropic organization dedicated to funding breakthroughs in the treatment of mental illness. The Walk for Hope is the foundation’s only annual fundraiser and the country’s only annual community walk that raises funds for the research and treatment of mental illness. Since 1988, the Walk for Hope has funded more than $2.5 million in local research projects and treatment programs, and has leveraged an additional $100 million for local research through federal grants from national mental health organizations. To learn more about the Thad and Alice Eure Walk for Hope or The Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness, visit www.walkforhope.com.