Walk to Defeat ALS 2018

Pretty good looking team wouldn't you say?  We did it!  We Walked to Defeat ALS!  The weather cooperated and the rain stopped before the walk started.  I am so grateful to have these friends that walked with me to support me and the the mission to help find a cure for ALS.  Some of my friends donated to the walk but were not able to attend.  Thank you to all of you!!!!  Thank you really isn't enough because as you know this is personal, very personal.  I have to say it is really hard to imagine that the cure of ALS is so elusive.  Hearing the stories today about how ALS changes the lives of all that are involved is heartbreaking.  There is also joy, hope and perseverance in every story.  I know progress is being made and I am thankful for that!  

How can you possibly pass the Spokane River and Riverfront Park and not take scenery pictures? The magnificence and power of a raging river all spoken into existence!   

 Ready to get started!  Bonnie, Elaine, John and Sheila! Now those are some fabulous smiles.

 Nathan sharing before the walk started.

This man was diagnosed with ALS in 2011.  I met him but can't remember his name.  Sorry.  He told me he met Steve and was able to go on the field at a Saints game.  He spoke along with his family before the walk.  So many emotions.

 Leslie Lowe kicked off the walk!

 Here are some more of Team Gleason! Freida, Sheila, Kathy, Bonnie, Sue and Anne!

 Vivianne and Sandi too!

Well, who is this?  It is Max.  We met years ago at a Christian Concert and we run into each other now and then!

 You just can't beat Spokane for a place to live! I am thankful God planted me here.

 Almost done!

I teach at Michael Anderson Elementary School and this is a statue of Michael Anderson!  I didn't know it was Michael Anderson but I do now.

 We are done! Anne, Becky, Bonnie and Frieda! I think we won!   Pretty sure! :)

What can we do to grow this walk even bigger next year?  I would love to see the park full of people Walking to Defeat ALS!

Oh, and there is always food and fellowship after any event!  The Onion Bar and Grill downtown.  Well, another year in the books!  Thank you to my great friends!  I can't say thank you enough!

On my walk back to my car I put my camera to good use.  I couldn't help myself!  God is so good!  Just for us he created all of this and more.

Spring!  It's here.

Walk to Defeat ALS 2017

Wow, what a difference a year makes.  Much improved from last year.  A change of location and a change of date!  There was a great turnout for the walk.  At this point $33,000 has been raised but the money that came in the day of the walk has not been added in.  The day started for the volunteers about 8:30.  Setting up tables, putting together signs and in general getting everything ready.  I really didn't do much when I got there. Everything was under control.  I did put together some signs.  

Off to set up signs on the route!

Riverfront Park.  Great location!!

Nancy plowed right in and got the arch up.  I would say I did a little bit but mostly supervised.  I had no idea what to do and neither did she but she got it done!  One step at a time! We had one other helper that was a lot more helpful than I was.

Done!

Bonnie and Paulla with a big blue guy!  Love the Spokane Indians, can't wait to go to our 7 games.

I am hiding!

Cheryl who works with all of us and her son!  So glad they came to support the walk. Grateful!!!

Cassie recruited her classmates to join the walk.  I really appreciate the work she did to grow Team Gleason!

Leslie Lowe kicked things off along with Amara!

and Becky!

I wanted to wait until everyone arrived before I had them take our team picture.  Well, I waited too long.  The photographer was off doing other things.  I just happened to have my camera so we used that.

We started to move toward the walk and up walks Mike and about 10 others.  Redo!!! Never a dull moment with Mike! Check him out in the picture. 

Off we go! I was going to put the sign away but Mike thought we should carry it.  Mike isn't carrying it! Tim and Kim and their group got stuck with the sign.  Not sure how that happened.

Mike, Jennifer, and Jackie!

We had great weather for sure!

I took this picture accidentally but I like it.  Only because blue sky has been rare in Spokane this spring.

All done!  The arch is still up! Now to our food tradition.  I really appreciate each person that signed up and walked with us.  It made me so happy to see the support for ALS.  I can't thank everyone enough.  It made my heart happy.  I am looking forward to next year already.  It is going to be even better.  Thank you to everyone!!!

I was a little behind my friends.  There was some sadness when I got there.  An empty table.

There's the sadness!  Breaks my heart!

Ah, that was what she was waiting for.  Happiness!

No lunch at the Blackbird until 2:00.  Who waits to have lunch until 2:00!  Who starts serving lunch at 2:00.  We had some snacks and headed to a place that actually served lunch at the correct time.  Needless to say we were having fun!

Last stop was the Backyard.  Not a person's backyard but the restaurant named Backyard.  Kat got her burger that she had been waiting for.  I had my BLT!  There was more but the best thing was time with these beautiful friends.