News Release
Alaskans give back at 10th annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk
Anchorage, Alaska – April 10, 2009 – On May 1, more than 1,500 people are expected to “graze to raise” throughout downtown Anchorage and in doing so, raise tens of thousands of dollars for local charities. The fundraiser, the Visitor Industry Charity Walk, is in its 10th year and provides an opportunity for locals to experience a taste of Alaska tourism.
This year the walk features a new start and finish at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center with a route of food tasting stations throughout downtown Anchorage. The grand finale “Wow event” complete with dessert, live entertainment, massage tables, a beer and wine garden, arts and crafts for kids, carnival games and prize drawings will be held inside the Dena’ina Center.
“I love this event because it allows the community to decide which charities to raise money for and provides an opportunity for the visitor industry to help them raise these funds,” said Scott Habberstad, event chair. “This year I am walking for the Alaska Airlines Employee Assistance Fund with the rest of the Alaska Airlines team. In today’s economy it is becoming more and more important to support these worthwhile causes.”
The visitor industry-hosted event has raised $971,000 statewide over the past nine years, with nearly 60 teams raising funds for their causes. Last year the visitor industry generated more than $52,000 for local charities and distributed more than $45,000 in prizes to event participants.
Everyone in the community is invited to take part as an individual or as a team. Some charities they will be supporting include Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, Inc. (AWAIC), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, Downtown Soup Kitchen, Anchorage School Business Partnerships, and many more. AWAIC, the state’s largest domestic violence service provider, has participated in the walk for the past several years, proceeds from which have provided critical dollars that help AWAIC operate.
“AWAIC is genuinely grateful for the charity walk because it allows us to raise money for our mission without any expense. We believe every safe bed we provide matters and in these tough times every dollar matters,” says Judy Cordell, executive director of AWAIC, Inc. “The charity walk isn’t just fun for the community, it’s good for the community.”
Participants may select any charity to raise funds for by forming or joining a team that collects $500 or more in donations.
Registration and bib pick-up will be on April 28 from 4-7 p.m. at the Alaska Railroad Depot, 411 W. 1st Avenue. Late registration is available on the day of the walk, May 1, beginning at 4.p.m. at the Dena’ina Center, 600 7th Avenue.
For more information and to register online, visit the event Web site at www.alaskacharitywalk.org. The minimum registration donation is $30 for adults and $15 for children between the ages of five and 18. A $10 late fee is applied to event day registrants.
The Visitor Industry Charity Walk was established in 2000 to raise awareness about the many ways in which the tourism industry gives back to the community. The goal was also to provide a fun way for charities to raise funds for their causes.
Media Contacts:
Jeanette Anderson Moores
Public Relations
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
jmoores@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net
# # #
