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The following information comes from our Walk for Opportunity Committee,
co-chaired by Jennifer Dunnam and Harley Acy.<br><br>
<br><br>
<a name="_Hlk47875893"></a>The National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota's 42nd Annual Walk for Opportunity will take place on September
9, 2023. Our primary 10K route will be in Minneapolis, around Lake of the
Isles and Bde Maka Ska. We also warmly welcome the participation of
walkers on 10k routes in other parts of the state who may be unable to
join the larger group. This is our state organization's largest fund
raiser. We hope everyone can participate by walking the ten kilometer
route on September 9, but there is also plenty of room for everyone to
help, whether or not you walk. Several businesses are also providing
generous support for this event, and we will share more information about
this soon. Please read on for details of the walk, and be sure to
complete the <a href="https://forms.gle/diZgwYgBPR9SMYM98">online entry
form</a> if you plan to participate.<br><br>
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back. <br><br>
<h2><b>Basics of the Walk for Opportunity</b></h2><br><br>
Federationists from around the state will gather at the designated
starting point on Saturday, September 9, in time for our opening ceremony
at 10:00 AM. The opening ceremony will take place at the lakes and will
also be available via the Zoom platform. After that, we'll walk, wheel,
run, bike, and otherwise move forward for 10 kilometers along the
beautiful lake route! As in previous walks, there will be designated
non-walkers (checkpoint workers) to check in with groups along the route
to make sure everyone has what they need. At the half-way mark, the zoom
feed will open again so that walkers and others throughout the state can
connect and share their experiences and why this walk is important.
Participants will gather at the end for lunch and a wrap-up ceremony
(also streamed on Zoom) to hear the results of our walk and for other fun
activities!<br><br>
<h2><b>How Contributors can Donate</b></h2><br><br>
All participants in the Walk for Opportunity should plan to raise at
least $25.00. This is a great way for friends, family members, coworkers,
and any others to help support what we do. Your contributors may donate
in the following ways:<br><br>
· Make a donation online
at <a href="http://www.nfbmn.org">www.nfbmn.org</a> (click on
"Donate" . To credit the donation to a walker, the contributor
should check the box to "Add a Dedication" and then type the
walk participant's name and <b>Walk for Opportunity</b> in the
field.;<br><br>
· Send a check, made out
to the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, to: <br>
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota <br>
100 East 22nd Street <br>
Minneapolis, MN 55404 <br>
(the donor should include a note with the walker's name and the words
“Walk for Opportunity").;<br><br>
· Send it via PayPal to
<a href="mailto:info.nfbmn@gmail.com">info.nfbmn@gmail.com</a>;<br><br>
· Give it to a walk
participant in-hand.<br><br>
We have PDF fliers available to assist Federationists with soliciting
donations. The flier explains all about the National Federation of the
Blind of Minnesota and how to contribute to the Walk for Opportunity. We
also have sample emails available in case you'd like to send out emails
to those you know to request donations. If you would like some of the
fliers or to receive a sample e-mail,
<a href="mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com">contact Jennifer
Dunnam</a>.<br><br>
Online or mailed-in donations will be most convenient, but we know that
many of the contributions for the walk are sometimes presented in-person
on the day of the walk, and that is still more than welcome!<br><br>
<h2><b>Register to Participate</b></h2><br><br>
Each person participating in the Walk for Opportunity should sign up as
soon as possible but no later than August 27 by filling out our
<a href="https://forms.gle/diZgwYgBPR9SMYM98">online entry form</a>. The
form will ask for your name, email, phone number, t-shirt size, emergency
contact, if you'll be a walker or checkpoint worker, if you know of a
business that might like to sponsor. It is important to read all
information and instructions on the form. Feel free to reach out if you
need help completing the form.<br><br>
<h2><b>Social Media</b></h2><br><br>
Remember that Facebook and other social media platforms can also be a
great way to spread the word about this fund raiser and bring in on-line
donations. We will have an event set up on
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-of-the-Blind-of-Minnesota-180645653406/">
our Facebook page</a>, so you can join and share it on your own Facebook
profile, as well as direct people to links to the event via your status.
#NFBMNWalk23<br><br>
<h2><b>One More Thing</b></h2><br><br>
Now, more than ever, we in the NFB of Minnesota are working hard to
protect the rights and further opportunities for blind people of all
ages, so even if you are unable to walk with us, please seek out those
donations from friends and acquaintances, or make a donation yourself. We
need the help of all our members to make this year's Walk for Opportunity
as successful as ever! Join the fun on September 9 as we work together to
raise funds and visibility for the National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota.<br>
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