Will it all fit into my suitcase? I’m busy getting ready to leave to Las Vegas, NV to attend the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) Walk for Food Allergy event this Saturday, October 6th, 2012. I am calling it an event instead of a fundraiser since it does so, so much more than raise funds and awareness! What started out a few years ago as a walk has blossomed and grown into a full fledged community event. The Food Allergy Parent Education Group (FAPE) in Las Vegas kicked off the initial walk and then the Gordin Family (Duane and Dana) took it and sprinted. I will host my first Gratefulfoodie booth at this walk!
So, come look for me! My booth will be right next to one of my most favorite companies on the planet: Whole Soy Company (read about them tomorrow)! They will be giving away samples and I will be giving away fun coasters with a new (soy yogurt smoothie) recipe on it, plus silly bands and tattoos! Okay, now back to the Las Vegas Walk for Food Allergy event. This walk features…
[unordered_list style=”star”]
- an amazing raffle for gift baskets worth hundreds of dollars
- Face painting
- air brush tattoos (I have no idea what those are but I will know by Saturday afternoon)
- open play mobile video theater by Game Truck of Las Vegas (yet again something else I am clueless as to what it is)
- Carnival of Children Activities! Picture prop, ticket booth, Giggles the Clown, games, prizes, and crafts
- Miss Nevada and the UNLV cheerleaders on hand selling tickets and helping out
- McGruff the Dog and the Henderson Police Department (okay, not the whole dept)
- A live DJ
- over 50 vendor booths
- performances from a karate dojo and a sports Demo (okay, the last item that I don’t have a clue what that will look like)
Now, the good work doesn’t end with the Walk. The greatness continued in the Las Vegas food allergy community as a result of last year’s walk success. FAAN has remained involved in Las Vegas for two initiatives:
2) A unique collaboration between FAAN and the Center For Disease Control (Cooperative Agreement), whose goal is to educate the staff in Clarke County School District on best practices, create written food allergy management guidelines, assist in policy changes, revise medical forms (such as FAAN’s Food Allergy Action Plan to fit Clarke County School District’s needs), etc. Everything should be completed by FAAN/CCSD by May 31, 2013.
If you live in Las Vegas, NV, come attend! I have a virtual walk team, so please join my Gratefulfoodie Virtual team (even though this team walks in spirit, I will actually walk since I will be in Las Vegas!), make a donation, create your own team or simply cheer us on to making a difference!
See you in Las Vegas!
[fbshare type=”button”] [pinterest count=”horizontal”]
I would also appreciate your daily (if possible) vote….. just click on the circle..I’ve been nominated for the Circle of Moms Top 25 Food Allergy Mom Blogs
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Another great event!! The blogs, Facebook, news stations, etc are on fire regarding GMO foods & seeds. I wonder how agencies (like FAAN & AAPE) will fit this into their 5-year plans… Food policy advocates might see this as a way to address some of the food intolerances & allergies.
Judie, you will be missed at this event–even if it is Vegas! I’m excited for the event and the movement on GMO foods too—I’m not a fan.
My girls and I will be there walking with our Brownie troop! One of our parents is very active with FAPE and helped to bring the FAAN walk to Vegas, so it is a cause close to our hearts. I’ll look for you there and be sure to stop by your booth!
Kathleen,
Absolutely make sure you come by! Will the girls be in uniform? I’ll look for you too!
The plan is to start out in Girl Scout shirts, but I’m thinking most will change into their walk shirts once we get there. I’ll be rockin’ a scout shirt (green, of course!), as will the other adults in our troop.