Last year approximately 300 participants walked to raise funds for House of Mercy's AIDS ministry.

Walk to benefit House of Mercy
Saturday, April 14, 2012 in Belmont, NC

 

We invite you to support House of Mercy's mission by participating in our 2012 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 14 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.  Help us spread the word!  Click here for a Walk for AIDS flier.

 

WHY WALK?

 

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Team raised $4,000 for House of Mercy last year.

House of Mercy fulfills a critical need in our region: providing a home and compassionate care for low-income persons living with 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 $33,000.  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?

 

Last year the MC3 Team led the Walk for AIDS down Main Street in Belmont, NC.

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 300 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 14th.  Click here for
            a Walk Donations Form to record your contributors' donations.  Turn in
            your donations at the beginning of the Walk on April 14.  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 you started.  Promote your team on your
            Facebook 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 14th?  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 below.

              
             On the billing information page, be sure to indicate that your donation is for
           the Walk for AIDS.          

 

Food Network Challenge Judge and Chef Felicia Pritchett and Susan Byers-Tedrow created and donated a fabulous 20th Anniversary Cake for the  2011 Walk reception.

PRIZES!
 

Prizes will be awarded to:
 

 *Top Individual Fundraisers

 *Top Team Fundraisers

 *Best Banner (bring your church, school, or organization banner or make one with an AIDS awareness message)

 

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 14TH

 

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.

 

10:00 am   Welcome; Walk Begins!

 

Noon        Picnic, Music and Awards Reception will be on the House of Mercy
or so         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 14, 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 the picnic following.  Email marjoriestorch@aol.com or call 704-825-4711 x 3 for more information.

 

                           

Team Captains: Email your team name, goal and fundraising progress to hse4mercy@aol.com.  Team info will be updated on the House of Mercy website 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.

 

Thank you to RK T-Shirts, LLC for donating T-shirts for our Walk this year!