The ALS Association of Georgia has enjoyed a great first quarter that included an enormous outpouring of community support for three separate events.  We want to thank the folks in the Augusta area for their support in the 2012 Augusta Walk to Defeat ALS that was held on March 24.  This great event – held at the Riverwalk in downtown Augusta – was well attended and received support from ALS patients, families and friends in addition to support from the corporate community and special press coverage from the Augusta Chronicle.  The Augusta Walk Teams raised over $31,000 in support of ALS patients in Georgia.

The 2012 Macon Walk to Defeat ALS was held on April 21 at Central City Park with local Macon D.J. Laura Starling emceeing the event.  The Macon Telegraph donated public service announcement space for the walk.  The weather was beautiful and the turnout was great as ALS patients and families joined friends, staff, volunteers and supporters who gathered for the 5k walk.  ALS bracelets and stuffed animal sales contributed to raising both awareness and nearly $10,000 to support the fight against ALS.

The 2012 Kroger Golf Challenge was held at Country Club of the South on May 8 with over 36 teams and 19 corporate sponsors combining to raise over $150,000 for Georgia ALS patients.  Included among the sponsors were: Kroger (Title Sponsor); MillerCoors (Platinum Sponsor); Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (Gold Sponsor); Bimbo Bakeries USA, Georgia Power, Golden Flake, Snyders of Hanover, and Lance (Silver Sponsors); Banfi Wines, Biltmore Wines, Coca-Cola, Flowers, Frito Lay, Keenan Farms, Pepsi Beverages Company, Quality Wine and Spirits, Retail Planning Corporation, The Shelby Report, and Tyson Foods (Bronze Sponsors).  In addition to their sponsorships, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta contributed the paper and printing for the programs, and MillerCoors and Pepsi Beverages contributed drinks for the event.  Other businesses such as Private Bank of Buckhead were represented with volunteers who joined together to make this 15th anniversary event a great success.

The ALS Association of Georgia would also like to recognize all of those who have taken the initiative to organize outside events to benefit our Georgia patients.  Among these have been the Cart-Wheel-a-Thon, The Volley to Defeat ALS, and the Outside the Box™ ALS Charity Golf Classic.  In combination with the annual Westminster Aquathon event that was held in January, these events have served to spread awareness about ALS to other areas of the community while combining to generate over $10,000 in contributions.

Again – on behalf of the patients and families we serve – please accept our sincere appreciation for all of the contributions of time and money given in order to ensure our mission to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through research and by empowering, comforting and assisting Georgians dealing with ALS in order to give them fuller lives through compassionate care and support.