We are thrilled to be able to offer a HYBRID NAMIWalks Your Way event this year, even if it doesn’t look exactly like previous years! This is our time to celebrate the hope of recovery, shine a light on mental health, and raise funds for NAMI Vermont’s support groups and classes.
NAMIWalks Your Way Vermont
Saturday, October 9, 2021
In Person Walk at 1:00 pm (Check in starts at Noon)
At First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington
152 Pearl Street, Burlington
(Masks will be required for all participants, regardless of vaccination)
If you can’t make it in person, we’ve got you covered! Choose how you want to participate, which is why it is called “YOUR WAY!” Choose your own activity like walking in your neighborhood, bike riding, practicing yoga, gardening. Or check out our virtual activities online and visit our Facebook page on Saturday for videos, updates and live streaming.
Whatever you decide to do, you can still earn amazing NAMIWalks prizes like clothing, camp chair, cooler, water bottle and more! All you have to do is ASK. Ask people to support you and donate to your fundraising page.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PRIZES YOU COULD EARN!
HELP US REACH GOAL!
As of Thursday, we are currently at 99% of our fundraising goal! We only have $258 left to reach our goal and with your help, we can shatter the ceiling this year.
Now’s the time to do that final push. Send out one more email to friends and family, post on social media, reach out to neighbors through Front Porch Forum. And remember that our fundraising will remain open for 30 days after our event!
A quick and easy way to raise more money is through a Facebook Fundraiser. And if you are registered with NAMIWalks, it’s even easier. Log into your fundraising page’s dashboard, click on the “Create Facebook Fundraiser” button and let the computer do the rest! Follow this guide to get started!
WALK DAY INFORMATION!
LOCATION: We’ll gather on the lawn at the First Unitarian Universalist Society at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. This is the church at the top of the Church Street. Click here for a Google Map overview of the location.
PARKING: Street parking is available around the area but is metered on Saturdays. Buses to downtown are running. City-owned garages can be found around the city, including at 47 S. Winooski Ave, 45 Cherry Street and 60 College Street. Prices vary based on hours parked. If you have need for handicapped parking, there are some limited spaces available in the parking lot directly behind the church. Click here for an interactive map of all parking areas downtown. Click on one of the boxes to pull up information about that parking lot.
WEATHER AND DAY OF SCHEDULE: Forecasts currently suggest a high of 66 degrees, cloudy and very little chance of rain. Our day will follow this schedule:
- 12 pm – Check in begins (we’ll have activities, parade signs, giveaways, and stretching before the walk!)
- 1 pm – Welcome speech begins
- 1:10 pm – Walk kicks off with Sambatucada leading the way down Church Street
- After the Walk – when you return, Grab-n-Go snack bags will be available.
MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL OF OUR PARTICIPANTS.
FOOD: Due to safety guidelines, we are asking folks to please eat a good breakfast before the walk and bring a water bottle with you. After the walk, we’ll have snack bags with extra water, fruit, and treats for you to enjoy.
FUN VIRTUAL OFFERINGS FOR YOU!
SIGNS OF HOPE
Download our Signs of Hope signs! Print out a couple of these signs, snap a photo of you holding it and share it on your social media and/or with NAMI Vermont. Be sure to use the hashtags #notalone and #NAMIVermont. You can find these signs in the Resources tab on your fundraising dashboard page at www.namiwalks.org/vermont.
MENTAL HEALTH SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
We’ve created a list of uplifting songs to get your feet moving. Use this music while you walk, garden, bike ride, travel, clean the house, or just about anywhere! Click the picture to check it out or find the link at namiwalks.org/vermont.
VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES AND CALENDAR
We’ve put together a calendar of activity ideas for you – from mindful exercises to logic puzzles, from craft ideas to fall recipes. You can find the calendar on the front page of our fundraiser at namiwalks.org/vermont.
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]. We’ll see you Saturday!
SHOUT OUT TO OUR 2021 NAMIWALKS SPONSORS!
Northeast Kingdom Human Services, Kinney Drugs Foundation, Northwestern Counseling & Support Services, Howard Center, Friends of Recovery Vermont, Brattleboro Retreat, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Community Care Network| Rutland Mental Health Services, Co-Operative Insurance Companies, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Health Care & Rehabilitation Services, BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont, People’s United Bank, Washington County Mental Health Services, Counseling Service of Addison County
