Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk Blog

Use a Widget to Collect Contributions for Charity

I discovered a new method you can use for raising funds on your websites, blogs and emails.

Go to http://www.ChipIn.com and create a "widget." When you include this widget in your emails or on the  Web, it will:

• Inform readers what charity the contributions are going to
• Makes it very easy for the person to make a donation (credit card or PayPal)
• Indicates the progress made toward your goal

The widget can be created in a variety of sizes and colors. You may want to use a smaller size to include with your email signatures. The larger sizes can be used on websites and blogs.

I have included a widget in this post that I will be using to collect funds for the 2007 Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk.

Thanks to Everyone Who Participated in the 2006 Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk

A new year is about to start and it has given me reason to reflect over the past year. Thinking about 2006 has gotten me excited!

What happened in 2006?

• Approximately 200 terrific people gathered at Mary Washington Hospital in May and participated in the 2006 Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk
• We raised (with your help) approximately $28,000 for the Arthritis Foundation to prevent, control and cure arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability
• Our Junior Hero, Sam Lincoln, and his family have been featured in Arthritis Today and are featured in an Arthritis Foundation video that is currently being used to raise awareness of arthritis across the US
• Our Arthritis Advocate, Erica Gerber, has been featured in the Washington Post, Arthritis Today and was honored by Richmond Style Weekly as one of their Top Forty Under 40
• Other Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk participants are being featured in an upcoming issue of Arthritis Today
• Fredericksburg was the location of this year's JA Weekend for families with children living with Juvenile Arthritis
• Fredericksburg area locations offering Arthritis Foundation Life Improvement Series classes has increased to 4 (Rappahannock Area YMCA - Massad Branch, Regency Park Sports, Rehab & Wellness Center of Virginia, and Spotsylvania Family YMCA)

I want to express my personal thanks to everyone who was willing to make a difference by participating in the Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk. My family is impacted by the effects of arthritis daily. So are many others.

Happy New Year,
Roger Carr
Chair, Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk
http://www.FredericksburgArthritisWalk.com

p.s. Planning has already started for the 2007 event. We would love to have your help. Please send me an email at roger@EverydayGiving.com or call me at 540-429-2239 if you are interested or want to learn more.

p.p.s. Teams are already forming and signing up online. Go to http://arthritiswalkfredericksburg.kintera.org to get your team signed up and started. It is going to be an even bigger and better event.

Regional Arthritis Walk Training Scheduled for January 2007

The Arthritis Foundation, Virginia Chapter has scheduled a special training event for Arthritis Walk volunteers. This training is scheduled for January 13, 2007 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Reserve the date on your calendar and plan to attend. It will be a great way to learn more about the Arthritis Walk, discover tips to make your tasks better and easier, and meet volunteers from other Arthritis Walk events in Virginia.

Click here for more details. RSVP by Decenber 22, 2006.

Erica Gerber is Selected for Richmond Style Weekly's Top Forty Under 40

Do you remember the person taking pictures at the last Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk? Do you remember meeting the lady at the Arthritis Advocacy booth that was being pulled around by a dog wearing a Just 10 Arthritis Advocacy shirt? That couple was John and Erica Gerber and I am very thankful for their friendship and support to the Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk.

John Gerber is a professional photographer and you can view his work at http://www.johngerber.com. Also, be sure to see the photos he took at our 2006 event at http://www.FredericksburgArthritisWalk.com.

Erica Gerber is a board member, volunteer and advocate with the Arthritis Foundation, Virginia Chapter. Erica is doing some phenomenal things in her fight against arthritis. Others are now recognizing her for her efforts and impact.

Recently, Style Weekly named Erica one of their Top Forty Under 40. This is a list of Richmond, Virginia's most remarkable young men and women who are making a significant difference. You can read the article at http://www.styleweekly.com/article.asp?idarticle=13060.

We are privileged to have John and Erica Gerber as friends and supporters of the Fredericksburg Arthritis Walk.

Go to http://www.arthritis.org/advocacy to learn more about the Arthritis Advocacy program and how you can participate.