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• Thank you for participating in Walk-a-Thon 2009!
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• In Memoriam

Thank you for participating in Walk-a-Thon 2009!

Special thanks to all of the walkers who braved very rainy weather, their sponsors, our corporate sponsors, as well as our event volunteers for making Walk-a-Thon 2009 a success!

Our first place walker who received the most sponsors and raised the most money was Pastor John Trusdell of Living Waters Assembly of God. One way he really boosted his success was by promoting online walk-a-thon donations to family and friends who were off-island. This technique also worked very well for walker Jimmy Roustio. Online donations are possible 24-hours-per-day by clicking here. The second place winner was Amy Shiroma, followed by Margarget Torigoe with third place.

Corporate sponsors included HomeStreet Bank, Starbucks, KTA, Curves for Women, Cronies, Bierman Home Inspections, Living Waters Assembly of God and Panda Express. HomeStreet Bank's entire branch came to staff an aid station, as well as to present a corporate donation. Starbucks provided coffee for the event walkers and volunteers. KTA provided fruit for event refreshments. Thanks to our volunteers for providing water and Gatorade. Curves for Women and Cronies provided gift certificates. Sue Bierman, of Bierman Home Inspections, compiled fitness information to support walkers through motivational emails. Living Waters Assembly of God provided tables and chairs. In addition, Panda Express offered a 20% donation from every lunch and dinner purchased on Walk-a-Thon day to customers who presented a Panda Express/Hilo Habitat flier.

Funds are still coming in, including the Panda Express donation, as well as donations from walkers who collected funds but weren't able to be there. If you would like to still make a donation, you can by clicking here or bringing your check to our office at 140 Kinoole Street, one block south of the downtown Hilo post office. The total raised is expected to be about $4600.

Special thanks to our Events Committee: Adrienne Eisele, Chenoa-Tania Ojeda, Sandi Kipapa, and Emmalani Hoaglund for all of their organizing to make the event possible. In addition, thanks to on-site volunteers for registering walkers, handing out tshirts, staffing aid stations, bringing tables and chairs, posting markers, blowing up balloons, set up and teardown: Emily Bartlett-Henry, Rob Henry, Gabe Kipapa, Linda Bhajan, Terrance Kawahara, Susan O'Connol, Desiree, Kenton Aichele and Tharry Trusdell. We couldn't have done it without you!

Finally, mahalo to the Keaukaha Community Association for such a warm welcome! It's fun to be part of the annual ho`olaulea.

Thanks again, to everyone--hope to see you next year!