Why Do You Walk?

Tell us why you walk and we'll post you video to our NAMIWalks NYC Blog. Check out Jennifer Siciliano's video here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D3k3s8K6PE&feature=player_embedded#at=85

Thanks Jennifer!

Her Name Was Nancy

Her name was Nancy. She called one morning last week in desperation. Her son, who has schizophrenia, was being released from the hospital the next day. She had been in denial about his diagnosis, and didn't have a plan in place for his discharge. She felt totally alone.

A trained Helpline volunteer spoke with Nancy for 20 minutes. The volunteer connected her with several resources, including an organization that offers treatment, education and vocational services. She gave Nancy the name of the facilitator of NAMI's support group for family members of people with schizophrenia, who is available to anyone who calls the Helpline in distress. She then assembled a hand-picked set of materials and resources for Nancy's particular needs, and mailed her a package that day.

Early fundraising for NAMIWalks NYC puts your donors' dollars to work immediately, supporting people like Nancy who seek our help every day.

Share this story with your donors. Use it to send 10 emails today. Urge them to contribute to your fundraising goal.

As a thank-you, we're offering the special raffle below.

To date we have raised $96,568.95 - 28% of $350,000 goal.

THIS WEEK:

Take a chance and email those you may not think will donate to you. You'll be surprised! Think past employers, college professors, or your child's teachers.

Receive one raffle entry for every $100 you raise.

How many entries will you receive?

The winner will have the opportunity to take another chance and fly high over New York City at NY Trapeze School!

WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER ON APRIL 7.

NAMIWalks NYC Night of Comedy

Join us for NAMIWalks NYC Night of Comedy. An evening filled with laughter, fun and friends as we celebrate the Walk Stars and Team Captains of NAMIWalks NYC.

Comic Strip Live

1568 2nd Ave between 81st and 82nd Streets

New York, NY 10028-2676

Click Here for Directions

Complimentary entry for Team Captains, Walk Stars plus a guest!

Surprise comics from film and TV!

Challenge:

Every Walk Star who reaches a $1000 by March 30 will be entered into a raffle to win an Apple iPad!

Receive an additional entry for every $100 over your goal and every team member you recruit!

RSVP to 212-684-3365 or walk@naminyc.org

Walker Spotlight: Meet Victoria Baran

This week, I’m happy to introduce Victoria Baran, a professional architect, devoted NAMIWalks NYC walker and all star fundraiser. She was kind enough to take time out of her day to answer questions that may help you reach well beyond your own fundraising goal. As a three-year NAMIWalks NYC veteran, Victoria knows the importance of switching up your fundraising techniques. Victoria explains…

You can’t be shy. Talking about your involvement in NAMIWalks NYC is almost a good ice breaker. I take fundraising on as a personal challenge.

Victoria has always been drawn to charitable causes, and when some of her family members were diagnosed with mental illness, she was grateful to find NAMI-NYC Metro.

I took Family-to-Family and it was amazing. The class was so informative. I have always been involved with charity work, but I found it’s so much more meaningful when you have a personal connection to the cause.

Victoria has proven to be an incredible fundraiser, so I was curious if she had any advice for those who are having trouble or don’t know where to begin. She suggested…

Set reasonable goals for yourself every week. Send out an email during each commercial while you watch TV. Swap favors: I’ll do X if you donate $10 to my charity. Think about your own skills and strengths. For example, if you are a good baker, say you’ll make an apple pie if you give me x number of dollars to my fundraising. I have a lot of friends that have their charities so I give to them and they give to me.

If people aren’t in a position to donate, I encourage them to walk. Cast the net wide. Last Saturday, I was rollerblading and the wind blew me over. A stranger helped me get the assistance I needed and I ended up with eight stitches. I spent the day writing emails because I wanted to pay it forward.

I wanted to know if Victoria was doing anything differently this year in regards to her fundraising strategies. She shared…

In addition to having a lot of business contacts, I also go through all my personal contacts. This year I am sending out personalized emails. I think it works better than a mass email. I say things like I’m at 50% of my goal. When people ask me for favors, I say yes – and would you give back to me?

Also this year I’m hosting a party. A spring wine party called “Team Spring Ahead.” I’m also trying to see if I can have bandannas made so I can give something to my teammates.

Victoria is well on her way to reaching her goal of $7,000. To date, she has already raised $2,850!

As always, she is looking forward to walking in NAMIWalks NYC:

As an architect, I really enjoy walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. It also feels good to be part of a group.

We thank Victoria for her amazing work!

Movie Snacks

Now that the Oscars are over many of us are flocking to the theaters to see the winning flicks. Before you order a jumbo popcorn with extra butter, consider a healthier option that won't weigh you down, kill your diet and your mood.




Thanks to FitPerez.com we got a list of healthier snack options and their nutritional facts. Enjoy the show! Movie Snack That Won't Kill Your Diet....Fit Perez

NAMIWalks NYC is Only 9 Weeks Away!

With only 9 weeks to go and the weather warming up now is the perfect time to begin your training for NAMIWalks NYC 5K.

Here is a great 5K training schedule care of Wendy Bumgardner of About.com to get you in tip top shape by May 7.

After you completed your training you can expect to be able to walk a 5K (3.1 miles) in one hour or less. Your walking posture will improve and you will finish the Walk feeling energized!

Click here for the complete training schedule

Happy National Nutrition Month!

In honor of national nutrition month I thought I'd share one of my favorite homemade granola recipes with all of you.

Pack some in a bag for a perfect on the go snack, sprinkle some on top of yogurt or add milk for a delicious cereal.

Store in an air tight container for maximum freshness.

Crunchy Granola

Yield: ~6 cups

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups rolled oats (regular not instant)
• 1 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup raw sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp ground flax
• 2 tbsp sweetened coconut flakes
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 2 tbsp peanut butter (or other nut butter)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp brown rice syrup (this help clump it up)
  
• 3 tbsp coconut oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick mat.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients . In another smaller bowl, stir together the oil, brown rice syrup, and peanut butter. Heat in microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir well and stir in vanilla.

3. Add wet to dry and stir very well until oats are coated. Spread everything out on a baking sheet and bake at 325F for 25 minutes, flipping once half way through. Allow to cool on baking sheet for about 30 minutes before transferring into a container. Makes 6 cups.