Walk to benefit House of Mercy
Saturday,
April 10, 2010

 

We invite you to support House of Mercy's mission by participating in our 17th Annual Walk for AIDS.  House of Mercy has provided compassionate care for low-income men and women living with advanced AIDS since its founding in 1991.  This year, our 3-mile walk will begin at 10 am on Saturday, April 10 on the Sisters of Mercy campus in Belmont, NC.  Register at 9:30 am.  Join the camaraderie while raising AIDS awareness and funds to benefit residents at House of Mercy.  A picnic reception follows the walk on the House of Mercy grounds.  Music will be provided by DJ Buddy Love.  Join us!

 

WHY WALK?

 

House of Mercy fulfills a critical need in our region: providing a home and compassionate care for low-income persons living with advanced AIDS who can no longer care for themselves and face homelessness.  By raising funds in support of your walk, you will help dramatically change the lives of those we serve.

 

Our goal this year is to raise $32,000.  We depend on fundraising events, foundations and individuals like you for 80% of our operating expenses.  The Sisters of Mercy provide sufficient funds to cover our administrative expenses so your donations support direct services for our residents including food, medications and 24-hour compassionate care.  Will you help us?

 

HOW CAN I HELP?

 

Walk as an individual or with a team in our Walk for AIDS.  Collect donations for House of Mercy in support of your 3-mile walk.  See the ideas below to make your fundraising easy.  It's as simple as asking your friends and family to give!  Think about a reasonable goal and then challenge yourself!  A Walk for AIDS T-shirt will be given to the first 250 participants raising $50 or more.

 

HOW DO I START?

 

Organize a Team -

      *Take a leadership role and create a team of walkers!  Businesses, schools, clubs, churches and friends can participate as a team and carry their own banner.  Click here for Team Captain's Information.
 

      *Challenge other individuals and teams to sign up!  A little competition can bring out the "can-do" spirit in people.  For example, high schools have formed teams of students vs. faculty for a friendly fundraising competition.

 

Walk as an Individual -

      *Collect donations in support of your walk before April 10th.  Click here for a Walk Donations Form to record your contributors' donations.  Turn in your donations at the beginning of the Walk on April 10.  Donations are tax deductible and House of Mercy will mail thank you letters to all contributors with addresses listed.

      *Email your request for donations to your family and friends.  Click here for a sample email letter to get your started.  Promote your team on your Facebook or My Space page.

      *Put a jar with a red ribbon for donations on your desk or at your place of business.  Checks should be payable to House of Mercy.  Let us know if you'd like House of Mercy brochures.

      *Ask your church, employer or a business to sponsor your walk with a donation.  Many businesses will also match funds raised for nonprofit organizations such as House of Mercy.  Contact your employer's Human Resources department about the possibility of matching funds and ask for the required paperwork before the Walk.

 

Make A Donation -

Can't join us on April 10th?  You can still help us meet our fundraising goal!  Checks payable to House of Mercy can be mailed to House of Mercy, P. O. Box 808, Belmont, NC 28012.  Note Walk for AIDS in the memo line.  Donations by credit card can be made via this website by clicking on the Donate Now button. 

Note:  On the billing information page, indicate that your donation is for the Walk for AIDS.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to:

       *Top Individual Fundraiser

       *Top Team Fundraiser

 

Directions to the Walk for AIDS
 

The Walk begins and ends on the Sisters of Mercy campus in Belmont, NC, just west of Charlotte.  From Interstate 85, take exit 27.  From Charlotte, turn left off the exit ramp onto Route 273, then turn right on Wilkinson.  From Gastonia, turn right off the exit ramp onto Route 273, then turn right onto Wilkinson.  Enter the campus on your left at the Sisters of Mercy sign and statue.  Follow the walk signs to parking and the stone shelter.  Click here for a map to the campus.

 

Walk Schedule: Saturday, April 10th
 

9:30 am                Registration is at the stone shelter on the Sisters of Mercy campus in Belmont.
                            Follow the red balloons at the campus entrances.
 

10 am                  Welcome; Walk Begins!
 

Noon or so          Picnic; Music and Awards Reception will be on the House of Mercy grounds on

                           the Sisters of Mercy campus.  If bad weather interferes, you will be credited for

                           walking the full route.  Please turn in your donations at the covered stone shelter

                           on the Sisters of Mercy campus in Belmont between 9:30 and 10 am on April 10,

                           rain or shine.  The outdoor reception will be canceled in the event of bad weather.

 

RSVP!
 

Please let us know if you are coming so we can plan for T-shirts and the picnic following.  Email marjoriestorch@aol.com or call 704-825-4711 x 3 for more information.

 

TEAMS	GOAL	PROGRESS
First United Methodist Church - Mt. Holly New Beginnings Sunday School Class		$100
Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School - Charlotte		$60
St. John's Lutheran Church - Cherryville Team Captain: Megan Homesley	$500	$0
Teams & Individuals	$27,000	$210
Corporate Sponsors	$5,000	$4,250
TOTAL	$32,000	$4,460

Figures above updated 3/2/10.

 

Team Captains: Email your team name, goal and fundraising progress to hse4mercy@aol.com.  Team info will be updated weekly.

 

Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors and Friends
 

We invite your business to support our mission with a $500 or $250 sponsorship.  Click here for a sponsor form.