About Community Walk

Community Walk to Stop Diabetes is a new initiative of the American Diabetes Association's movement to Stop Diabetes. This local grass roots walk event will be organized, coordinated and implemented by local Volunteer Walk Coordinators (VWC) in communities that are 75 miles or more from the closest Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event, the Association's signature walk campaign.

"We are very excited to launch the new Community Walk initiative," said David McShea, National Director, Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes. "We are looking to Community Walk as a great way to engage new volunteers and donors in the Stop Diabetes movement in smaller communities around the country. With a number of smaller Step Out events cancelled since 2009, Community Walk will be able to partially replace the desire to have a walk event in smaller communities, while raising funds and awareness of diabetes."

How Does the Process Work?

Volunteer Walk Coordinators (VWC) will register online and express their interest in starting a Community Walk. VWCs will then be contacted to get more information about what it takes to be a VWC, as well as asked to make the first gift of $26 (in honor of the nearly 26 million Americans living with diabetes). All the supporting materials needed for a successful Community Walk will be mailed to the VWC. VWCs will then recruit friends and families, co-workers, clubs and organizations, social groups and school groups to build their team, with an emphasis on fundraising.

Could YOU be a Volunteer Walk Coordinator?

Almost anyone could be a great VWC—Someone with the drive and passion to get the word out about diabetes, a commitment to fundraising and a network of family and friends, is a great place to start!

Each Community Walk is unique and has its own local flavor, but some common themes can be found across all events:

• A $2600 fundraising goal is expected for all Community Walks, on behalf of the 26 million Americans living with diabetes.
• Volunteer Walk Coordinators will be responsible for planning the event from start to finish, including date, time and location, and recruiting walkers with an emphasis on fundraising.
• The American Diabetes Association will provide online tools, personal staff support from our Home Office and a kit a step-by-step guide and materials for a successful walk.
• Champions: Participants who raise $1,000 or more become "Champions to Stop Diabetes." They are committed to doing everything they can to Stop Diabetes and are truly the backbone of our fundraising efforts.
• Walkers: Walkers come in from everywhere and are at the heart of the Community Walk! There are all types of walkers: friends, families, co-workers, community members, clubs & organizations, school groups and more.