Our 38th Annual Walk for Opportunity will be here soon! This is our state organization's largest fundraiser. We hope everyone can join us on September 14 in Rochester, but even if you can't be there, you can still be a big help.  Please read on for details, including bus and lunch reservations (which you should make by September 10).

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.

Federationists from around the state will gather at Three Links Shelter in beautiful Rochester, Minnesota on Saturday, September 14. We'll walk, wheel, run, bike, rollerblade, and otherwise move forward for 10 kilometers, along the Zumbro River and around Mayo baseball field. After our refreshing journey, lunch will be available for $8.00 with several delicious options, listed below for your selection in advance.

How to Contribute Financially

We need lots of walkers or "movers," so please plan to join us on the route! Many of you have been working already over the last few months to raise funds—thank you! All participants in the Walk for Opportunity should plan to raise at least $25.00.  Your contributors may donate in the following ways:

• Give it to you in-hand
• Make a donation online by going to http://www.nfbmn.org and clicking on the "Donate now" button. (In the Description field, the donor should write "[your name], Walk for Opportunity".
• Send a check, made out to the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, with a note including your name to:
  
  National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
  100 East 22nd Street
  Minneapolis, MN 55404

We have small fliers available to assist you 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 e-mails available in case you'd like to send out e-mails to those you know requesting donations. If you would like some of the fliers or to receive a sample e-mail, e-mail Jennifer Dunnam or call her at (612) 203-2738.

Social Media

Remember that Facebook and Twitter can also be a great way to spread the word about this fundraiser and bring in online donations. We will have an event set up on our Facebook page, 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.

Register

Each person participating in the Walk for Opportunity should sign up no later than September 10 by filling out our walk entry form. The form will ask for your name, email, phone number, emergency contact, shirt size, metro bus reservation, and lunch choice (turkey, ham, tuna salad, egg salad, or veggie) and cheese or no cheese.

Schedule

On the day of the event, please bring with you the payment for your lunch ($8.00, checks made payable to the NFB of MN Rochester chapter), along with all in-hand contributions you have collected. You will turn these in at registration. Please complete the online entry form in advance; a printable version of the form will be available at www.nfbmn.org if that works better for you.

Registration begins at 9:15 on September 14; please arrive promptly so that we'll all be registered and ready to start moving by 10:00.

The walk starts at Three Links Shelter at Silver Lake Park, 840 7th Street NE, Rochester, MN 55906.  Print and braille copies of the walk route will be available and will also be emailed in advance.

Transportation

For those leaving from the metro area, a bus will depart from our headquarters at 100 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis, at 7:30 AM.  Make your reservation for the bus when you sign up for the walk. The metro chapter will cover the cost of the bus this year, which equals about $25 per person. Donations in cash or check form will be accepted to help pay for the bus. Checks for this purpose should be made payable to the Metro Chapter and will be taken on the bus.

One More Thing

As you know, we in the NFB of Minnesota work 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, or make a donation yourself.  We need the help of all our members to make this year's Walk for Opportunity the most successful ever!  Join the fun on September 14 as we work together to raise funds and visibility for the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota.