Special thanks to our One Walk Teams, Sponsors and Volunteers

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Carpenter Crew for a Cure joined JDRF at the One Walk Nowalk

 

The Westchester/Fairfield/Hudson Valley Chapter One Walk season started up on September 27 at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk with over 1,500 people turning out to celebrate the accomplishments of JDRF. Our sponsors, Stamford Hospital, The Harvey Hubbell Foundation, AON Hewitt and Nestle Waters North America, joined us on the Casagrande track behind the high school which served as the walk route on this beautiful sunny morning. Special guests included Congressman Jim Himes of the 4th District of Connecticut and Mayor Harry Rilling of Norwalk. Brien McMahon High School and Norwalk High School cheerleaders greeted every walker as they walked onto the track.

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No amount of rain could dampen our spirits at the Beacon One Walk

The following weekend our One Walks continued in Beacon, NY and Ridgefield, CT. Torrential rains threatened to hinder our efforts at Scenic Long Dock Park in Beacon, but our JDRF families weren’t discouraged.  With umbrellas in-hand, rain ponchos on and boots covered in mud, they walked – and even danced – in the rain!  Returning sponsors, Orange Regional Medical Center and Marshall & Sterling Insurance, joined our families and together they proved their determination to turn Type One into Type None.

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Team Wells kept the party going the next day at Ridgefield One Walk

The weather proved just as changeable as T1D that weekend! The next day the sun came out as the clouds rolled away in Ridgefield and it warmed family and friends as they gathered together for our fourth annual walk at the Ridgefield Recreation Center. We were again joined by Stamford Hospital, The Harvey Hubbell Foundation, AON Hewitt and Nestle Waters North America, along with many returning teams and new teams alike.

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The Galterio family cuts the ribbon at the Yonkers One Walk

JDRF One Walk, Westchester wrapped up our chapter’s One Walk season on Sunday, October 18 at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. This large walk is presented by Empire City Casino and takes place on the horse track. Yonker’s Mayor Mike Spano and Clare Galterio of Empire City Casino spoke to the generosity of everyone present in supporting JDRF. In addition to Empire City Casino, this walk is also sponsored by Bleakley Platt, Westchester Medical Center Health Network/Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Westchester Family Magazine. Over 2,500 people comprising 96 walk teams braved the chilly temperatures to show their dedication to the mission of JDRF and all enjoyed the exercise, food, fun and camaraderie of the T1D community.

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One Walk sponsor and DJ, MC Fish, kept the crowd entertained and informed at the One Walks.

Each walk this year concentrated on JDRF’s mission and had various areas that recognized our participants. New this year was our New Family tent that allowed those who are newly diagnosed and new to the walk program to come together and meet with staff and others who are affected by T1D. The V1P tent was a big hit and allowed our outstanding $1,000 and above fundraisers to gather in a special area and celebrate their fundraising efforts. The N tent offered up the creative opportunity to illustrate our quest to turn Type One into Type None!

The chapter is well on its way to raising its goal of over $900,000! The walks may be over, but the fundraising can still continue. There are plenty of ways to keep up the momentum: use a Facebook campaign to keep your team total rising; hold a bake sale or tag sale with proceeds going to your team; check out Team JDRF for ideas and inspiration for local community events.