Donations and Fundraising

Thank you for your interest in supporting families affected by Autism.  Participants primarily support the cause by participating in the 5K (registration details here), but there is also the possibility to donate or help us fundraise.

Here are ways to make an additional donation or help us raise funds for the 5K’s charitable organizations:

1) Make a donation directly to the Autism 5K charities on our event donation site:
http://www.active.com/donate/autism5k
(Choose an amount in the “Make a Contribution” box)

- Great option for those who would like to be at the event but can’t make it, yet still want to contribute.

2) Become a fundraiser and help us raise donations.
(Click the “Create a Fundraiser Page” Button)
- fundraisers who raise $100 or more will be eligible to win prizes too

3) Volunteer or Come to Cheer
If you can’t participate or contribute at this time, your presence at the event will be great for supporting the runners and walkers while helping us build awareness of autism’s reach.  Contact briana@autism5k.org for more information on volunteering.

4) When you register, there is also an option to make an additional donation.

Thank you so much!

The Best Race Shirts in Minnesota

For some it’s about the course or the cause, but for a large percentage of event runners, it’s all about the shirt!

The following are the best  race shirts from running events in Minnesota:
(in no particular order)

1) The Twin Cities Marathon

Maybe the very best race shirt offering in Minnesota.  Why?

• Year over year they’ve had great artwork, whether from the third year (1984) or the most recent shirts.  A great body of work!
• They don’t just offer one top notch shirt (for the marathon) but also superb artwork for the 10 mile shirt.  The kid’s run shirts are great too.
• A true finisher’s shirt – there’s honor in getting and wearing it!
• Long sleeves for fall!

Am I the only one that thinks their logo kind of looks like “Where the Hell is Matt” dancing though?!

2) The Minneapolis Marathon

OK, they’re technically offering a finisher’s jacket, but… they’re offering a jacket!!  That’s pretty impressive and nice training t-shirts can be purchased separately too.

This was year one for the Minneapolis Marathon.  The great race jackets and shirts should help the cause!

3)  The Autism 5K

Yep, that’s us (2009 Race Shirt), but we’re pretty excited about what we’ve got to offer.  When we first discussed the race shirt we said, “let’s try to provide the best race shirt design ever!” and here’s why we’re close:

• Main Artwork provided by Mary GrandPre’, world famous illustrator of all seven Harry Potter novels among other terrific projects
• Graphic Design by Armato Design & Press, fabulous local letterpress shop.

The Autism 5K will be held Saturday, May 15th 2010 at Lake Calhoun.   Join us to get yours!

4)  Minneapolis Recycle Run

Their artwork is terrific and the cause is trendy too (albeit ever important)!  For some the brown shirt’s favor might hinge on personal tastes, but keep in mind it’s a fully organic shirt and you have the option to take in the run with or without it!  We love it!

5)  Any Race with a Technical Shirt!

While cotton is fine for every day use, serious runners appreciate any race that offers technical shirts.  These shirts hold up much better than cotton and typically offer moisture wicking capabilities.

I wouldn’t say it’s impossible to make a stylish technical tee, but it’s more challenging for the traditional race shirt designer.  The good designs tend to be sleek and use unique lines, going well beyond offering just a cool logo.  The capability to integrate art and design into technical shirts will probably only increase as the shirt technology continues to develop.

Honorable Mentions:
Grandma’s Marathon – For the achievement factor alone.
Stillwater Marathon – Their first year could be a nice collector.

What is your favorite race shirt?
Photos?… email info@autism5k.org

Autism 5K Families

We’re very thankful for the support of the families that have or are participating in the Autism 5K. The following families agreed to offer their stories.

Family Profiles:

(2009 Profiles:)

Courtney, Mike and Charlie

 .
 **** 

Jennifer, David and Caden

.
**** 

Kim, Bill and Isaac

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**** 

Roccio, Sean and Salvador

.
**** 

Thank you to all the families who have shared their story here.  If you’d also like to share your personal journey as someone affected by autism, please contact us at info@autism5k.org.  Thank you.

5K Teams

We encourage everyone to walk or run with a team for fun or competition, but it isn’t required by any means.  If you’d like to participate with friends, family and/or co-workers, then you should strongly consider creating a team.  Info for 2010 teams as well as 2009 Team Names listed below as examples.

Why walk or run as a team?

1) Teams are a great way to show your support for an individual or cause.  Groups will sometimes wear signature items, costumes or t-shirts centered around their team.

2) Participating as a team can offer recognition for your company or cause.

3) If you’re competitive, then your team’s top times will be averaged and available online after the race.  Compete against other teams or try for a team goal average.  The top overall team will win a prize.

How do I signup for a team?

There’s a “team name” option at registration… just ask your teammates to use the same team name when registering.

If you already registered and didn’t fill out a team name or would like to change your team name, just email the change to kirsten@autism5k.org and she can manually change it before race day.

Here are examples of teams that registered and ran together in 2009!:

• Team Adam
• Hayden/Coleman
• Gonzalez/Thrivent
• Regions
• St. Kate’s Occupational Therapy
• Team Triston
• Sleeplessmom’s hope
• That one team
• McCanna
• Salvador
• St. Croix
• Data Domainers
• Holland Center
• Team EMC
• SunnyDays
• VISI
• Vibrant
• Be Good
• Believe
• Orluck Organic
• All Aboard for the Autism Race
• Supercool
• Blackbox
• Eatchel
• Wanna Walk

Join us on Facebook, Twitter…

Follow us and spread the word on Facebook, Twitter or the social media outlet you use.  A 5K run/walk supported by IT should embrace social media after all!

Join us on Facebook!

Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=64144458711
Quick Link:  http://autism5k.org/facebook

1. Please RSVP that you will be attending on our event page.
2. Spread the word by inviting others.  Click on the “Share” button then the “Send a Message” tab and choose which friends you would like to send it to by typing in their names.
3. Post the Event to your Wall.  Click on the “Share” button then “post to profile” with comments or without.

Twitter!

Find us @it5k
Follow us and we’ll follow you back.  Be sure to link to autism5k.org from your Twitter account too! 

Full link: http://www.twitter.com/it5k

Email a Friend or Share with your network!
By clicking on the “tell a friend” button below, you’ll be able to email this page to a friend or post it to your Facebook page or your other networks.

Better yet, go to the homepage of the IT5K and click on that same “tell a friend” button at the bottom of the home page and share the main page instead.