Torrington Parkinsons Support Group

PARKING AT WHITE MEMORIAL
Parking is only allowed in the big field across the road from the registration area. I'll send a message this week asking them to mow the parking field. There is no parking allowed on the grassy area near the pond. It will be marked, but we all know that someone will say, "I can fit between those NO PARKING signs." Let's try to prevent that from happening.
Josephine Radocchio will be our parking mistress again this year. Let's remember to check on our remote workers to be sure they remain hydrated.

CHAIRS
Please bring chairs for anyone in your party who will want/need to sit, including yourself. Label chairs with your name, and be sure to take them home at the end of the day. We'll have some chairs in the field, but they go quickly to tables in tents.

SETUP
Setup begins at 9:30. We'll have the girls' volleyball team from Lewis Mills helping and some students from the THS Interact Club. Some of my extended family members will be on hand to help. Each tent will need a table and one or two chairs. We need to be ready for walkers to arrive by 11:30 after taking a group picture of everyone in their Kelly green shirts.
There may be times when it seems there's not a lot to do. Take a rest and enjoy the beautiful day. Just be ready to jump when the work shows itself again.

PHOTOGRAPHS
I try every year to get some good photographs but often am too busy to remember to do it. Please carry your phone in your pocket and have my cell number on it for emergencies. 860-201-7913. Take pictures throughout the day, and forward (or airdrop) one or two great shots to me to post on our website.

RAFFLE and SILENT AUCTION
If you have raffle prizes or silent auction items, please let me know what they are by Friday the 13th so I can make tags for the raffle bags. If you have silent auction items, please let me know the item and its value. Items over $50 will be placed on silent auction.
Betty will man the raffle table. Maybe Donna will work with her. Tickets are 12 for $10. And I'll have silent auction sheets ready for the items you've told me about.
If anyone would like a thank you card for raffle donors or monetary donors, let me know how many and I'll make up extras. I can bring them to the exercise room at the senior center one Tuesday. Any sponsor we solicited by mail who donates to the walk will be thanked. I'd like to be sure our raffle donors, who always get hit for fundraising prizes, receive a thank you for their support.

BAKE SALE/PIZZA
We'll have a bake sale and pizza sale table. DaCapo's will provide 8 pizzas that have to be picked up at 11:30. If you would like to bake, please bag items to sell for $1.00. 3-4 small cookies, 2 large cookies, a cupcake, a large brownie or two small ones, Rice Krispie treats, popcorn...

TRAIL PREP
Ro's son-in-law, Tom Ryan, will place trail signs as John and Jamie are expecting a new baby any day. Torrington Lumber Co. was kind enough to provide new stakes for the signs. We have to be mindful of them at the end of the day because TLC no longer carries that size wood, so it won't be available again. Let's collect them carefully after the walk.

FACE PAINTING
Ro's daughter Katie will do face-painting. My niece Lisa will work with her. And just in case Katie can't make it, I've ordered face painting materials that we can reuse from year to year.

PATHWAY TO PARKINSON'S EDUCATION
The details remain the same, and the signs will wave through the field to educate people on what Parkinson's disease is. These signs will need to be gathered at the end of the day and stacked.

DUCKS/PLANTS
From Alpha Delta Kappa, my teaching organization, Charlene will be back with her annual flock of rubber ducks, assisted by Joyce, another A∆K sister. Charlene is also providing two Lego raffle baskets.
Carol Pathe will be selling plants she has propagated. We're grateful for her green thumb and what it will bring to support our members.

KEEPERS OF THE GATE/REGISTRATION
I think Don and Nancy Moore will help to sort people as they arrive for registration around 11:30. If anyone wants to give them a break after 45 minutes, I'm sure they'll appreciate it. We want people to know right from the start which line they need to be in to register. 1) Fill out a form. 2) Register at the table. 3) If a team or pre-registered by August 30th, go directly to the t-shirt table.
Vic, Joe, and Rachel will manage registrations. Sabrina and a volunteer will handle t-shirts.

GUESSING JARS and MJFOX STICKERS
I've purchase several types of jar stuffers for our student volunteers to walk around with, asking people (kids mostly) to guess how many of the item are in the jar. Others will pass out MJFOX stickers so that everyone knows we're raising money for research.

KEITH MUTCH -Family Kempo
The Forbes Flyers cannot jump without a tarred surface. They had a very difficult time last year, and the coach said the pebbles made it dangerous to both jumpers and observers. So, I've asked Keith Mutch to bring his students and to do a demonstration of the skills they develop at Family Kempo.

LITTER/ POTTIES
Please help to clean up as the day goes along. We are allowed to use White Memorial's field free of charge and need to leave it in pristine condition. The potty company will bring two barrels and a few liners. We'll place one by the potties and one by the water/snack table and bakery area.

WATER/SNACKS
99 Restaurant is giving us 288 bottles of water. I have purchased snack bars. These will be given free to walkers at the end of their hikes. I hope you'll talk it up. Maybe people thought they had to pay for it in the past, but not much has been consumed historically.

CLEAN UP
All chairs from the gentle trail, tents, tables, and office materials need to be packed and stowed at the end of the day. I'd appreciate help from anyone who can stay to do that. Our able-bodied students are always very helpful, but we can use adult support as well. Kids like to work side by side with adults; it makes them feel needed and useful.

DONATIONS/WALKERS
Please solicit donations for the walk. Our goal for this year is $30,000. That will give us enough to fully fund our exercise program for the coming year while having enough to make a significant donation to Parkinson's research.

PHARMACEUTICAL SPONSORS AND DONORS
We have four pharmaceutical companies that will be sponsoring us at the GOLD $500 level. These are companies that make PD drugs. Please make a point to stop by and talk with them about the drugs they provide for PD treatment to show our interest in their products. We need to make their sponsorships worthwhile, and interested patients will certainly make them happy.

GRANT - Unrelated to the walk...
We are fortunate to have been awarded a grant from Thomaston Savings Bank again this year. We will receive the grant of $1000 in early October and are most grateful to our friend at TSB for their generosity. Please, if you are a customer of Thomaston Savings Bank, let them know the next time you go into the bank how much we appreciate their kindness.

TOYS AND GAMES
Just because you're not 8 years old anymore doesn't mean you can't play with toys. Feel free to use the toy equipment available and to encourage the kids all around to play, too.

ICE/TRUCKERS
Mary and Darrel Hoag will transport tents to and from City Hall. Scott and Kevin Dixon will move tables to and from Josephine's house and will be our go-to guys for needed pickups during the day. Brother John will bring tables and chairs. Rocky Hill Vault is providing the two big tents as a favor to my newlywed nephew-in-law who will supervise their construction. Niece Molly and Nick are giving the day to be with us wherever needed. Steve DeWitte will make conversation with the drug reps. Brian Mattiello will entertain. Chase Jesperson will bring the fire truck from Litchfield. Becky Burcroff will serve as First Aider. We are indeed fortunate to have so any concerned helpers.

VOLUNTEERS (YOU AND ME)
We all fall into this category. Whether you have an assigned job or are freely roaming the area, please keep your eyes peeled for anything that needs doing. Then, either do it, or make someone else aware of the need. We are all responsible for the success of this day. Sometimes, it will be as simple as talking to someone who looks lonely. Make the day memorable for everyone, and they'll want to come back next year.

THANK YOU
It's nice to be recognized for the work we do. Likewise, others appreciate being appreciated. Please let our volunteers know how grateful we are for their time and efforts on our behalf.
I appreciate you and all you will do to make our day a great success. See you Sunday.