2021 Virtual Walk for Apraxia Overview

The 2021 Walk for Apraxia was the 14th annual gathering for supporters to spread awareness about childhood apraxia of speech and raise funds for Apraxia Kids.  While continuing to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, Apraxia Kids proceeded to use this time to recognize the hard work of our Apraxia Stars through ceremony and celebration with both in-person and virtual events.

Altogether, Walks were held in 89 U.S.and Canadian locations across our community!  Again, all ceremonies maintained tradition by spreading awareness about CAS, telling the story of Apraxia Kids, notifying participants of the sponsors, and most importantly honoring the Apraxia Stars. To view photos of the many amazing people who walked, search #WalkforApraxia on all social media platforms or visit this photo album on Facebook!

The outpouring of generosity from participants, donors, and sponsors allows Apraxia Kids to proudly serve our community as the leader for those who navigate the apraxia of speech journey.  

The New Registration Model

Registration was FREE in 2021 and will continue to be for our future Walk for Apraxia events.  This way, all participants will have the opportunity to start celebrating without any upfront costs. Those who wish to raise funds or make a self-donation are able to do so while working toward earning incentive prizes at various fundraising levels.

Now that it’s free, why register?  Registration is mandatory and helps us efficiently prepare for our Walk Day ceremony and to honor our Apraxia Stars.  It is a participant’s“ticket” into the event. Inviting others to register on your team is also a great (and free) way for them to show support of your Apraxia Star!

Once registered, every participant is emailed a link to their personal Walk fundraising page.  They may choose to update this page with a personal story and share it with their network as an effort to raise awareness about childhood apraxia of speech.  Those who wish to fundraise or make a self-donation will use this page to keep track of their progress. 

Stay tuned – the 2022 Walk shirt and incentive gifts will be announced over the next few months!

2021 Walk for Apraxia Volunteers

Volunteers are the driving force behind the Walk for Apraxia. Our events are directed by a Volunteer Walk Coordinator who is supported by a Planning Team. These individuals courageously step into this role with a heart and passion for helping us expand our reach and further our mission. Without their dedication to the Walk for Apraxia, we could not accomplish all that we do. 

We are honored to mention these individuals who went above and beyond to make the Walk Day happen.  They spent many months preparing, executing, and wrapping up our events so their local communities can gather in celebration to raise awareness!

Walk Coordinator(s)

Allison Dudley, Heather Gordon
Janaye Russ, Wendy Lyon
Lesley Berger
Liz Breen
Jenny Kuhta
Julie Knafelz, Matthew Knafelz
Jena Lohrens-Becker, Maureen Grady
Nakeeshia Rosser
Chyenne Shane
Kortney Mason, Jennifer Thompson
Natosha Frandsen
Elizabeth Lowell
Laura Bruno
Roxana Wackenhut
Sofia Carranza, Luis Diaz
Aubrie Hagopian, Megan Jones, Morgan Barker
Addline Bova, Tabetha Unser
Heather Hamilton
Cheryl Abrahamson, Aimee Lukas
Michelle Adach
Jessica Santo, Meredith Short
Hallie Bowers, Beth Rementer
Tiffany Indiero, Nicole Domingues
Stephanie Pope, Sharon Diwby
Sarah Wiljanen
Jennie Nichols
Liesal Hoffman, Krista Meyer
Ashley Winter
Rosie Emrich
Kelli Surra, Kali Grumley
Breanna Waldrup
Lynn Whitaker
Paloma Ortega-Hart
Becky Morey
Chloe Gaffney
Ruthie Lichtenwaldt
Heather Waite
Kimberly Bettencourt
Holly Walchuk, Bailie Knowles
Jessica Doyle
Tammy Sturtevant, Adriana Falcon
Bridget Tippett
Karen Mobley, Zander Mobley
Cindi Bramlage, Jamie Atwood, Lynnsey Trump
Angie Hoffman Gibbs
Kristen Polidoro

What are the Walk for Apraxia Volunteer roles?

• Walk Coordinator – lead volunteer for the planning and execution of the Walk for Apraxia.
• Walk Co-coordinator – supports and enhances the Coordinator’s role.
• Planning Team Members – Individuals who fill various roles helping with sponsorship, outreach, and team engagement.
• Day of Event Volunteers – individuals who volunteer on Walk day to complete tasks such as set-up, clean-up, administrative duties, activities, and more!

Walk for Apraxia Sponsors

Organizations, businesses, and individuals who sponsor the Walk for Apraxia contribute in a unique way to make Walk day special, thus supporting the overall programs, resources, and research offered by Apraxia Kids.  Their contributions truly help make a difference in the lives of so many. 

In 2021, our Walk for Apraxia cash sponsors contributed a total of $70,484.  Plus, our Media and In-Kind sponsors who provided services or goods to enhance the Walk day experience were valued at $35,960.  Thank you for your generosity!

Presenting – $5,000

Code Administrators, Inc. – Hershey Walk for Apraxia
River Park Medical Clinic – North Texas Walk for Apraxia
Seagate Development Group – Southwest Gulf Coast Walk for Apraxia

Media

98.3 K-Love – Pittsburgh Walk for Apraxia
Froggy98 & B107.3 – Nebraska Walk for Apraxia

Elite – $2,000

Ace Sports Tennis and Pickleball
AOH Foundation of OK
Holocene Drilling, Inc.
Jane Johnson Speech Therapy, Inc.
Lee County Reprographics Inc.
Kaufman Children’s Center for Speech, Language, Sensory – Motor & Autism Treatment
Reach for Speech
Rouch County Response
Samantha Rickman
Sign Gypsies Northern Franklin County

Platinum – $1,000

AAA Pallet Co
Apraxia Dallas, PLLC
BrightStart Therapies
Cardinal Window Systems, Inc.
Carruth Center
Celebrate Kids
Dynamic Lynks
Enerplus Resources Inc.
Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP
Inspiring Communications thru Adaptation & Nurturing, PLLC
Kidsource Therapy

Midwestern University
Oyu’baat Clan / 501st Legion / Dark Empire
Pacific Service Credit Union
Penn State Health
Protocon Ready Mix
Redmond Speech and Language
RightWay Construction
Scott Family Amazeum
Skill Builders
South Shore Therapies
Sunny SPOT Therapy
T.E.A.M. 4 Kids Pediatric Therapy
The Albertson’s Companies Foundation

Gold – $500

ACT Therapy Services
Aspire Speech & Learning Center
Building Bridges Therapy
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
CI Pediatric Therapy Centers
Clearly Building Corp.
Daisy Mae Photos
DJ Jimbo
Fotably Photo Booth
Fun Services
HLC Therapy Group
Horizon Technology Inc
Kids Can Do
Land by Kelly – Meadows Property Group
Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital

Let’s Talk Speech & Language Therapy Services
MeBe San Diego
Monkey Mouths, LLC
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Neighborhood Organics
North Florida Therapy
Northeast Speech Pathology
Northern Pennsylvania Regional College
Notion LLC
Pappas Landcare and Construction
Pediaprogress
Pediatric Communication Center, LLC
Puntillo & Crane Orthodontics
Rinehart Family Eye Care, PC
Rockin’ Jump

Rooney Tunes Entertainment
Speakology, LLC
Speech Pathway
Speech Therapy Saskatoon
Stewart’s Shops
Subway
Suffolk Center for Speech
Texas Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants
The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh
The Greene Law Firm, PLLC
The Talk Team
Tippett Lawn Care
Washington Speech
Women’s Counseling of Nashua

Silver – $250

Active Learning Centers
Captured Moments Photography
Catalina Marketing Charitable Foundation
Center 4 Speech
Childhood Apraxia & Speech Therapy Centre
Connect Pediatric Therapy
Cross Insurance
DeLand Crafts
Dr. Mary Sturm
FedEx Express
Francine Ambrogio Gurtler, SLP
Hollaender Mfg Co.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

Jim Williams Photography
Legacy Planning
Lincoln Calling
Marcos The DJ Guy
Mineral Point Lions Club
Muth’s Candies Inc.
Myo Speech and Feeding Center
Neverland Balloons and Face Painting
NH Eye Associates
Nicole Thorp Devens, M.S. CCC/SLP
Party On My Yard
Professional Graphic Communications
Ruthie Lumbardo – Realty ONE Group

Scranton Motors
Servpro – Marshfield/Rockland
Speech & Language Center at Stone Oak
Speech Wings Therapy
Strive to Thrive Therapy
The Amphibious Group
The Imagination Project
The Magic of Plaz
Twin Spring Farm
Urban Village Veterinary Care
West Virginia Central Federal Credit Union
Yosemite Farm Credit

Bronze – $100

Associates in Pediatric Therapy LLC
Bookminders
Bossert Insurance LLC
Core 4 Therapy Group
Doodie Calls, LLC
Farmers Savings Bank

First Presbyterian Church of La Grange
Good Shepherd Pediatrics
Irvington BPA
Life Enhancement Psychotherapy
Navigant Credit Union
Nellie Smith Photography

Newhook Contracting
Skidmore Speech & Language Services
Till’s Garage
Transmaq Co.
Treehouse Therapies
Way to Grow Pediatric & Dyslexia Center

We look forward to sustaining our current Walk for Apraxia partnerships along with building new relationships in 2022.  If you are interested in more information about our sponsorship packages or exploring a Regional or National sponsorship, please email sponsorship@apraxia-kids.org.

NSSLHA Chapter Challenge

Thank you to the college students and their supporters who participated in the 2021 Walk for Apraxia NSSLHA Chapter Challenge!  Once again, Apraxia Kids was blown away by the awareness and fundraising efforts of these teams. Some NSSLHA chapters volunteered on Walk day or joined the Walk as participants, while others participated virtually and hosted their own awareness day on campus.

Apraxia Kids is proud to announce the top three fundraising NSSLHA teams.  They earned an in-depth Zoom interactive educational session with an SLP specializing in CAS and a parent of a child with apraxia. 

 Congratulations!
CalU NSSLHA – Pittsburgh Walk for Apraxia
Midwestern SLP’s 2021 – Chicago Walk for Apraxia
SEMO Chapter NSSLA – St. Louis Walk for Apraxia

The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is the only national student organization for pre-professionals studying communication sciences and disorders recognized by ASHA.

Walk for Apraxia Champions Club and Grand Champions Club members

Apraxia kids is thrilled to give a special recognition to those whose Walk for Apraxia fundraising efforts go above and beyond. Teams who raise $1000 become a part of our Champions Club and those who raise $5000 join the Grand Champions Club! These teams and team captains receive a variety of benefits as a token of our appreciation. 

Thank you to the 2021 Walk for Apraxia teams in both our Champions and Grand Champions Clubs!  Visit our 2021 Champions Club album on Facebook to view photos of our club members!

Summer Team Challenge

During the summer, Apraxia Kids challenged our Walk for Apraxia teams to achieve two goals by July 31 – to register five team members and raise $500.  Teams who met these goals by deadline earned an official Walk for Apraxia sign featuring their team name.  

Thank you to all of those teams who participated and congratulations to these Walk for Apraxia teams who earned their sign!

#TeamAustin
Aiden’s Voices
Apraxia Kids Staff
Benjamin’s Battling Believers
Chase’s Crusaders
Chasing Maverick’s Words
Clarion NSSLHA
Clark’s Warriors
Eli’s Buddies
Emma’s All Stars
Everest Says
FindingOurVoices
Gavin’s G-Force
Girl Talk: Team Addison & Kerri
Graysen’s Buddies
Hank’s Tanks
Jacob’s Super Heroes
Jameson’s Rangers
Josie’s Crew
Kayla’s Crew
Lucas’ Dino-mite
Marlowes Army
Mia and Bianca’s Marvels
Midwestern SLP’s 2021
Noah guy with Apraxia?
Oliver & Company
Paisley’s Voice
Racin’ for Greyson
Sage’s Voice

Scarlett’s Super Squad
Strides for Ella
Super Rementer Bros.
Team Bubbaroo
Team Jack
Team Jayden
Team Magic Mike
Team Parker
Team Ty
The Angelo Alliance
The Legend Of Zelah
The Power of Ronin
Vera’s Voice
Walking for McKenzie
Westyn’s Warriors
Colton the Conqueror
Mason Bernhardt Apraxia Star
Team LeMieux
Team Nora
Walkin’ for some Talkin’
Anthony the Hydro Warrior
Hayden’s Voice
Lace Up for Lucas
Team Aiden
Team AWEsome
Team Chance
Team Tommy
Adam’s Word Warriors
Aiden and Zachary’s Squad

Cooper’s All-Stars
Dylan and the Minecrafters
Finding Logan’s Loud
Kalynn’s Krew
Ky’s Guys
Kyle’s Krusaders
Shawn’s All Stars
Team Corrina!
Team K
Team Scotty
Team Tessasaurus
Cairea’s Walkie Talkies
Charles’s Crew
Ethan’s Apraxiasauruses
G-Crew
Jadalyn’s Gems
Keystone Pediatric Therapy
Liam’s Moto Crew
Logan Brady’s Bunch
Owen’s Dinos
Speech Pathway
Team Annabelle
Team Lumbo
Temple CASTLE Camp / SLAB Lab
The Mighty Meyer Boys
Twisted Wristers

Ways to prepare for the 2022 Walk for Apraxia

We are thrilled to begin looking toward the 2022 Walk for Apraxia events.  We encourage you to keep your eyes open for registration details and updates to our incentive gifts as this information will be available sometime over the next few weeks!  In the meantime, here are some ways you can begin preparing now.

1. Follow the Walk for Apraxia public page and join the Apraxia Kids Walk Team Captains private group on Facebook to stay up-to-date on current Walk for Apraxia details and to engage with other team captains.
2.  Engage your team members early – send emails, make a private team group on social media, plan a kick-off party, or meet on video chat.  Share your 2022 Walk for Apraxia plan, discuss your goals, talk about your experience with childhood apraxia of speech, and remind team members you will inform them when registration is available.  If you support an Apraxia Star, let team members know about your star’s progress!
3. Prepare a fundraising timeline to reach your 2022 goal.  Make a plan on how you will raise funds by utilizing different techniques or smaller fundraisers.  Read the Fundraising 101 Guide for tips.