2023 Walk for Apraxia Overview

Apraxia Kids once again rallied around the Walk for Apraxia traditions that were set 16 years ago while embracing the evolution of today’s culture. In 2023, these events were held in 64 locations across North America. Those who could not attend an in-person experience had the opportunity to join us as part of the Virtual Walk for Apraxia. No matter how participants gathered, the Walk for Apraxia continued to implement its foundational pillars:

• Celebration & Recognition – Each Apraxia Star receives a medal in recognition of the hard work that goes into finding their voices. Walk Day is THEIR day. Individuals with apraxia can see a community of support that is there to cheer them on, encourage them, and share in their journey.
• Raising Awareness – As participants ask people in their lives to join their team, donate toward their fundraising effort, or create their own team, more people begin to hear the word “apraxia” and more people begin to understand what it is. 
• Building Community – The Walk for Apraxia brings together those touched by apraxia, uniting families and professionals to build a community of support. For many, this event is the first time they discover that they are not alone; meeting others who have walked the path,sharing how they overcame obstacles, and learning there are others who “get” it without an explanation.
• Fundraising – The Walk for Apraxia is the signature fundraising event for Apraxia Kids and accounts for about 60% of our budget. The funds raised sustain all our programs and initiatives such as funding research, subsidizing educational programming, developing and supporting our online community, working to develop localized outreach and supports, and providing accurate information on diagnosis and treatment. Without the Walks, we would not have the ability to accomplish all that we do.

To view photos of the many amazing participants who walked in 2023, search #WalkforApraxia on all social media platforms or view the photo albums on Facebook!

 Apraxia Kids Annual Report

Your participation in the Walk for Apraxia is crucial to helping the mission of Apraxia Kids succeed as the leading non-profit supporting children with apraxia of speech.  Take a moment and review our 2023 Annual Report to learn how your efforts contributed to the apraxia  community at large

2023 Walk for Apraxia Volunteers

Volunteers are the driving force behind the Walk for Apraxia. Each event is directed by a Volunteer Walk Coordinator (WC) who is supported by a Planning Team. Walk Coordinators are individuals who 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.

Thank you to the 2023 Walk for Apraxia Volunteer Walk Coordinators!

Walk Location and Walk Coordinator(s)

2023 Akron Walk for Apraxia – Allison Dudley, Gina Nylund
2023 Arkansas Walk for Apraxia – Scott Moran, Hanna Keeney
2023 Atlanta Walk for Apraxia – Jocelyn Stargell-Zachery
2023 Baltimore Walk for Apraxia – Lauren Hoffman, Kate Crosen
2023 Boise Walk for Apraxia – Kayla Heap
2023 Boston Walk for Apraxia – Lesley Berger
2023 Cedar Rapid Walk for Apraxia – Liz Breen
2023 Central Texas Walk for Apraxia – Jennifer Soyars
2023 Charlotte Walk for Apraxia – Gina Maggio
2023 Chicago Walk for Apraxia – Apraxia Kids
2023 Cincinnati Walk for Apraxia – Nakeeshia Rosser
2023 Cleveland Walk for Apraxia – Abigail Dillion, Monica Karpovitch, Chelsea Boytim
2023 Columbus Walk for Apraxia – Apraxia Kids
2023 Connecticut Walk for Apraxia – Jaime LaVecchia
2023 DC Walk for Apraxia – Alita-Geri Carter
2023 Denver Walk for Apraxia – Arielle Whitacre
2023 Deschutes County Walk for Apraxia – Natosha Frandsen
2023 Detroit Walk for Apraxia – Paige Perez, Stacie Griffith
2023 Edmonton Walk for Apraxia – Roxana Wackenhut
2023 El Paso Walk for Apraxia – Irma Villar, Ximena Valenzuela
2023 Fargo Walk for Apraxia – Stacy Kemmerling
2023 Fresno Walk for Apraxia – Aubrie Hagopian
2023 Greater Albany Walk for Apraxia – Katelynn Carroll, Grace Paster
2023 Greater Allentown Walk for Apraxia – Heather Hamilton
2023 Guelph Walk for Apraxia – Michelle Murchison
2023 Hampton Roads Walk for Apraxia – Jessica Santo, Meredith Short
2023 Hershey Walk for Apraxia – Nicole Auker
2023 Houston Walk for Apraxia – Christine Cooper
2023 Jacksonville Walk for Apraxia – Katherine Kanupp
2023 Long Island Walk for Apraxia – Sharon Diwby
2023 Louisville Walk for Apraxia – Sarah Wiljanen
2023 Nashville Walk for Apraxia – Brittney Eckenrode
2023 Nebraska Walk for Apraxia – Krista Meyer, Liesal Hoffman
2023 Nevada Walk for Apraxia – Jocelyn Wells
2023 New Hampshire Walk for Apraxia – Rosie Emrich
2023 North Central Pennsylvania Walk for Apraxia – Kali Grumley, Kelli Surra
2023 North Texas Walk for Apraxia – Breanna Waldrup
2023 Northern New Jersey Walk for Apraxia – Jill McCarthy
2023 Oklahoma City Walk for Apraxia – Stephanie Warman, Amy Hightower
2023 Oklahoma State Walk for Apraxia – Lauren Jackson, Jordyn Bales
2023 Orange County Walk for Apraxia – Tameka Baccus
2023 Orlando Walk for Apraxia – Carla Hall, Elizabeth Farr
2023 Ottawa Walk for Apraxia – Shauna Haight, Krista Simon
2023 Philadelphia Walk for Apraxia – Trish Mayro
2023 Phoenix Walk for Apraxia – Ruthie Lichtenwaldo, Kelly Schneider
2023 Pittsburgh Walk for Apraxia – Apraxia Kids
2023 Rhode Island Walk for Apraxia – Kaitlin Brady
2023 San Diego Walk for Apraxia – Victoria Leventhal
2023 San Francisco Walk for Apraxia – Cierra Crowe
2023 Sarasota Walk for Apraxia – Lauren Bercaw
2023 Seattle Walk for Apraxia – Allison Jones
2023 South Florida Walk for Apraxia – Samantha Novick, Tania Glantzis
2023 Southwest Gulf Coast Walk for Apraxia – Tammy Sturtevant
2023 St. Louis Walk for Apraxia – Angie Frauenhoffer
2023 Staten Island Walk for Apraxia – Judith LaBarbera
2023 Topeka Walk for Apraxia – Jamie Atwood
2023 Triad Walk for Apraxia – Ashley Pinyan
2023 Tucson Walk for Apraxia – Samantha Molitor
2023 Twin Cities Walk for Apraxia – Angie Gibbs
2023 Vermont Walk for Apraxia – Sara DePonte, Corinna Brunning
2023 Virtual Walk for Apraxia – Apraxia Kids
2023 West Virginia Walk for Apraxia – Heidi Sanders, Kristy Stowers
2023 Westchester Walk for Apraxia – Gillian Lyons
2023 Western New York Walk for Apraxia – Mykalene Perl

Thank you to the 180+ Planning Team Members who assisted the Walk Coordinators and Co-Cordinators by generously volunteering their time and talents to help plan their local Walk for Apraxia event. 

Thank you to the hundreds of Day Of Event Volunteers who arrived ready and willing to work at the event.  

Your willingness to give your time and service is greatly appreciated. Your support of Apraxia Kids allows us to continue to fulfill our mission and serve the thousands of people in our community each year.

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 help make a difference in the lives of children with CAS.

In 2023, our Walk for Apraxia cash sponsors contributed a total of $84,356.69.  Our Media and In-Kind sponsors, who provided services or goods to enhance the Walk day experience, were valued at $62,212.00. Thanks to all of our generous sponsors!

National Sponsor

Star – $5,000

Favored Conferences & Event – Triad Walk for Apraxia
Kelli Mae Photography – Nebraska Walk for Apraxi
River Park Medical Clinic – North Texas Walk for Apraxia

Media

98.3 K-Love – Pittsburgh Walk for Apraxia
B107.3 & Froggy98 – Nebraska Walk for Apraxia
WFSB / Wendell Edwards – Connecticut Walk for Apraxia

Elite – $2,000

Boomershine Consulting Group, LLC
Hebron Lions Club
Kaufman Children’s Center for Speech, Language, Sensory-Motor & Autism Treatment
Lithia Subaru of Fresno
Marathon Petroleum
Micah Brown Media
Northern Ohio Equipment Services
Painted Parrot Facepainting
SOS Construction Services, LLC
The Carruth Center
We Rock the Spectrum Triad
Wyatt Refrigeration Co.

Platinum – $1,000

Alpha-Lit Mid-Hudson Valley
Apraxia 101
Chick-Fil-A (Denver)
Crosen Homes
Curbside Confections
Dairy Queen of Westbrook, CT
Dobbins Photography
Dynamic Lynks
Enerplus Resources Inc.
Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP
Hanna Brothers
Infinity Music Services
Little Hands
Macconnell Photo

MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy
Midwestern University Speech-Language Program
Music Blast DJs
Nordson Corporation
Osprey Corporation
Pacific Service Credit
Palm Printing
Pigtails & Crewcuts
Powerhouse Chiropractic
Pursuit Home Group at Preferred Shore Real Estate
Sound Propeller Systems, LLC
South Shore Therapies
Speech Language & Literacy Centre

Gold – $500

Abed Orthodontics
Apraxia Dallas, PLLC
ASC Therapies
Associates in Pediatric Therapy
Ben & Mittra Lockhart
Boise Speech and Hearing Clinic
Bridge Therapy
Campfire ESports
Childhood Apraxia & Speech Therapy Centre
Circus Moves
Collaborative Approach Therapy Services
Communications Foundations
Community Options
Communiverse, LLC
Cross Insurance – Manchester
Davies Institute for Speech & Hearing
Dentistry for Children
DJ Jimbo Entertainment
DJ TEA Rock
Dow Smith Contracting Company
Dynamo Freight, LLC
Express Medals
Face to Face Speech Therapy
Funky Monkey Magic
GCProductions LTD
Harpole Family
HMS & Associates
Hollingshead Barrett Eye Center
Ice Cream Lady
Inspiring Communication thru Adaptation & Nurturing
Jamar Precision Grinding
JC Drafting & Design Inc.
JML Property Group LLC
Jonathan Balucanag
Kids Need to Read
Kidsource Therapy

LaPensee Plumbing . Pools . Air
Leap Speech Therapy
Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital
Lenny J Media
Let’s Talk Speech & Language Therapy Services
Lively Speech and Language Therapy
Lloyd Sadd Consulting
Long Island Speech
M1 Imports
Magician Brady Lee
Mercy
Middle Tennessee Princess Parties
Mike Maxwell
Miller Law Group
MOO & BREW
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
New Milford High School
North Florida Therapy Associates
North Star Speech and Language
Northeast Speech Pathology, PLLC
Notion LLC
Office of the Mayor – New Milford, NJ
On Spot Therapy & Orofacial Myology
P&S Entertainment
Pediatric Advanced Therapy
Pediatric Communication Center
Pediatric Speech and Language
Propel Pediatric Therapy
Providence College
Puntillo & Crane Orthodontics
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers (Nebraska)
Redmond Speech & Language
Reliable Medical
Royal Princess Parties LLC

RUSH Kids Pediatric Therapy
SafeSplash Swim School
SensationALL Kids
Shaver Lake Marina
Smile Design Dentistry
Speakology, LLC
Speech Point
SRM Concrete
Stout’s Enterprises
Strive to Thrive Therapy, LLC
Strong Law, PLLC
Sun City Firefighters Charities
Sunny Spot Therapy
Sunshine Speech Therapy
Super Hero Rental of Arizona
Talk of The Town Speech and Language Therapy, PLLC
Texas AirSystems
ThaisFlowers.com
The Balloon Babe
The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh
The Greene Law Firm, PLLC
The Imagination Project
The Imagination Group, PC
The Madison Center
The Phoenix Company
The Talk Team
The Zones of Regulation, Inc.
Tiger Kim’s World Class Taekwondo
United Steelworkers Local 7940
Uptown Balloons
Urban Speech Therapy
Washtopia Car Wash
Western Washington Medical Group
Yesway Inc. (Nashville)

Silver – $250

ACCESS Group
Achieve Therapy Centre
ARcare
Arlington Speech & Reading
Aurora Speech Clinic
Baker Tilly REO LLP
Behavior Therapy International
Bloom Speech and Language Therapy
Beyond the Spectrum, Inc.
Cafe Delux
Capitol School of Austin
Chick-Fil-A (Smyrna, TN)
Columbia Motor Speech Therapy LLC
Comprehensive Speech and Therapy Center, Inc.
Dixon Speech Solutions
Edmond Speech Therapy
Elaine Dolgin-Lieberman, Speech Language Pathologist
ES Development & Management Corp
Fia Entertainment

Goodwill Industries of NCPA, Inc.
Graceful Speech-Language Therapy
Guelph Speech Solutions
GypsyRose Facepaints
Healing Reins Equine Assisted Services
Home Depot (Bend, OR)
Idaho Counseling & Neurofeedback
Jim Williams Photography
Juiced Up Bar Inc.
Kid Talk
Lebanon Valley College
Lovely Reigns Creations
M.T. Laney Company Inc.
MD Chesapeake NAPNAP Chapter
Michele Vozzella Speech Therapy, PLLC
Milestone Pediatric Dentistry
Neighborhood Organics
Nicole Thorp Devens, M.S. CCC/SLP
Northern Pennsylvania Regional College
One Stop Corner
Pediatric Plus

PNC Bank
PROSE Nails Allentown
Pruitt Agency
Pediatric Speech and Language Services
Reach for Speech
Rebel Solutions
Rinehart Family Eye Care, PC
Ruthie Lumbardo – Realty ONE Group
Service 1st Restoration/Advanced DRI
SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland
Shameless Eatery
Small Steps Therapy LLC
Solid Rock Sound Machine
Speech Pathway
SpeechEase PLLC
Stone Design Concepts
The Speech Dynamic
The Speech Tree
Third Space Medical
Today’s Therapy Solutions
Wegmans – Woodmore Towne Center
Westside Church
Your Speech Path LLC

Bronze – $100

3DPT (3 Dimensional Physical Therapy)
A Speech Storey
Abbott Furnace
Amy’s Princess Parties
Ashley Sullivan Sign Gypsies Middle Tennessee
Banyan Pediatric Care Centers
Beyond Boundaries Therapy
Big G Towing & Transport LLC
Budget Blinds
Central Hose Social Club S.G.C.
City National Bank
CloudSpeech: Online Therapy
Communication Works

Dave’s Cast of Characters
Entertainment on Wheels
EssentiallybyTiffany, LLC
Francine Ambrogio Gurtler & Associates
H & H Woodworking Inc.
HLC Therapy Group, LLC
JNH Cleaning Service LLC
KidsPark Murfreesboro
Kiefer Counseling LLC
King & Edge Real Estate
Law Offices of Nicole A. Casciola, Esq., LL
Lynnwood Speech and Associates
Meagan’s Morsels

Meredith Johnsen Real Estate
Navigant Credit Union
Oozapalooza Slime Craft Studio
Robert Levy MD
S&S Production and Entertainment
Soothing Ways
Southern Belle Princess Parties
The Little Gym of Rockwell
The Stilly Diner
Transforming Architecture
Treehouse Therapies
Vita Bella Salon and Spa
West Virginia Central Federal Credit Union
Yester Co.

We look forward to sustaining our current Walk for Apraxia partnerships along with building new relationships this coming year. THANK YOU to the following businesses that have already made a commitment by submitting their sponsorship agreement form to support the 2024 Walk for Apraxia.

If you are interested in more information about our sponsorship packages, are ready to submit an agreement form now, or looking to explore a Regional or National opportunity, please email sponsorship@apraxia-kids.org.

NSSLHA Chapter Challenge

Thank you to the college students and their supporters who participated in the 2023 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 their local 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 educational, interactive Zoom session with an SLP specializing in CAS and a parent of a child with apraxia. 

 Congratulations!
Lewis University SLPs – Chicago Walk for Apraxia
Concordia University Wisconsin – Virtual Walk for Apraxia
Thomas Jefferson University NSSLHA – Philadelphia 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.

Champions Club & 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 $1,000 become a part of our Champions Club, and those who raise $5,000 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 2023 Walk for Apraxia teams in both our Champions and Grand Champions Clubs!  Visit the Walk for Apraxia photos page on Facebook to view photos from the 2023 Walk for Apraxia, including club members!

Summer Team Challenge

During the summer, Apraxia Kids challenged our Walk for Apraxia teams to achieve two goals by July 31 – register five team members and raise $500. Teams who met these goals by the 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!

Aiden’s Voices
AJ’s Team
Ava’s Avengers
Bash’s Bandwagon l
Benjamin the Brave’s Blue Buddies
Benjamin’s Battling Believers
Bentley’s Buddies
Blooming Violets
Camila’s Angels
Chase’s Crusaders
Connor’s Caped Crusaders
Cooper’s All-Stars
Dalton’s Defenders
Edward’s Walk to Talk
Eli’s Entourage
Emma’s All Stars
Ethan’s All Stars
Fearless Fossetts
Gabriel’s Groupies
GRACE’S PACE
Graysen’s Buddies
Hayden’s Voice
Imagine Ian
Jack Attack
Jacob’s Cheer Squad
Jacob’s Super Heroes
Jameson’s Rangers
Jaxson’s Warriors
Jensen Warriors
Joggin’ for Josh
Josie’s Crew

JV Team
Keegan B
Kinsley’s Blue Crew
Kyle’s Krusaders
Leaps for Lennon
Lewis University SLP’s
Liam’s Moto Crew
Little Hands
Love for Lilly
Luca Pratt
Marlowes Army
Maverick’s Wingmen
Mia and Bianca’s Marvels
Nakayla’s Neighborhood
NSSLHA Springfield College Chapter
Parker’s Pack
Patton Strong
Princess Maisyn’s Army
Rally for Renzo
Reese’s Unicorns and Rainbows
Rowan’s Monkey Troop
Ruger’s Warriors
Running for Ru
Sage’s Voice Village
Sebastian’s Squad
Selene’s a Star!
Sophie’s Supporters
SOS Construction
Struttin for Siena

Super Asher
Super Delaney!
Sweet Caroline
Sweet Lou
TEAM ACE BOOGIE
Team Addy
Team Alice
Team Ben
Team Bo-dozer
Team Cam-Can
Team Ella Mac
Team Hogi
Team Hudson
Team Jayden
Team NoRo
Team Oliver
Team Ollie
Team Parker
Team Robert
Team Ryan-Apraxia Warrior!
Team Ryder
Team Tampa
Team Theron
The Merry Krewe of Marleigh
The Mighty Meyer Boys
Thiago’s Apraxia Walk
Twisted Wristers
Walking for McKenzie
Walking With Sunshine
Zack’s Pack
Zoaring Zander

Preparing for the 2024 Walk for Apraxia

You might ask, “When should I start preparing for the 2024 Walk for Apraxia?”  The answer is NOW!  Apraxia Kids will begin launching the official Walk webpages by the end of February.  So  start checking our Walk Home Page for a location nearest to you!   

In the meantime, here are some ideas to kick off your 2024 Walk for Apraxia experience:

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 – plan a virtual kick-off party!  Share your 2024 Walk for Apraxia plans, discuss your goals, talk about your experience with childhood apraxia of speech, and remind team members you will inform them when registration is open. If you support an Apraxia Star, let team members know about your star’s progress!
3. Prepare a fundraising timeline to reach your 2024 goal.  Make a plan on how you will raise funds by utilizing different techniques or smaller fundraisers.  Break down your overall fundraising goal into smaller, easily attainable monthly or weekly goals.

Help us design the 2024 Walk for Apraxia T-shirt!  Have an Apraxia Star you love create a sketch or drawing to be placed on the front of the official Walk shirt, then click this link to submit their design idea to our 2024 Walk for Apraxia T-shirt Contest.  Their photo or drawing could inspire the final design on the front of the official 2024 Walk for Apraxia Shirt!  Submission deadline: January 31st!