A2A3 has already had a number of community events and individual activities to help support our efforts for the ALS community. Watch our calendar and Facebook page for events!  We hope to see you out there!

November, 2011: SHOPPING to fight ALS!

20% of purchases during a multi-day period in November were donated to A2A3 – and straight to research toward a cure to end Lou Gehrig’s Disease!
 
 

Thank you, Learning Express!

 
 

Art for a Cure!

In 2010, prior to the main Ann Arbor Art Fair, we had the chance to support two of our A2A3 kids (and Coach Bob’s players) who created and sold art to support ALS research. Zoé and Leah sold their art work at the Kid’s Art Fair this past July and donated their proceeds to A2A3. The Kid’s Art Fair is part of the Townie Street Party just prior to the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

A2A3 partnered during the 2010 holiday shopping season with Borders for a Benefit Weekend! We shopped for gifts – and for A2A3 – on December 4th and 5th – raising money painlessly for ALS research.

Be sure to print out the coupon if you plan to shop at one of the three Ann Arbor Borders locations – or use the A2A3 code to shop online from anywhere! Up to 25% of most purchases made with our specific promotional code (AAAA1204C) on Saturday, December 4th and Sunday, December 5th will be given to A2A3.

With a special coupon shared with A2A3 friends, we had both online and in-store options.

Couples Night for ALS!

A2A3 joined BollyFit for an exciting evening with carefree Bollywood style dancing and scrumptious food and drink! This event energized us from within, eliciting smiles and laughter.

BollyFit creator, Anuja Rajendra, an accomplished dancer, and innovative “choreographer for the masses”, lead couples and friends through an evening of fun and carefree Bollywood-style dancing. No prior dance experience was necessary for this event. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Ann Arbor Active Against ALS. We look forward to doing it again!

When was it?: Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 7:00 – 10:00 pm
Where: Mind Body & Spirit Academe, Dakota Building, 1785 West Stadium Blvd (South of Pauline), Ann Arbor, 48103
Want to learn more about BollyFit? Please visit www.bollyfit.com or call 734-657-6680

Inspired Buckeyes Join A2A3 in ALS Fight!

On Sunday, May 2, 2010, the brothers of Kappa Sigma Fraternity of Ohio State University held an inaugural ALS Silent Benefit Auction. Those who attended heard informational and inspirational messages from Jim Heacock Defensive Coordinator for the OSU football team and from our own Bob Schoeni, who is an Ohio native and UM Economics Professor.

Kappa Sigma was excited about the “opportunity for OSU and the UM to set aside their differences on the athletic fields and partner in raising funds to fight ALS”.  A wonderful afternoon of bidding, enjoying food and drink and socializing was had by all. Through fundraising, donations and auction proceeds, over $2,500 was received by A2A3 and an equal amount was donated to ALSA!  We want to thank Kappa Sigma for raising awareness about ALS, the need for research funding and for choosing A2A3 as a beneficiary.

We also want to suggest that we do it all again – and maybe even “that school up north” could host it sometime!  Thank you, KAPPA SIGMA!

 

WHOLE FOODS DAY for A2A3!

 

We shopped WHOLE FOODS on Washtenaw on January 14th, 2010 to help A2A3 raise money for ALS Research! On Thursday, Jan. 14, Whole Foods (located HERE on Washtenaw Ave.) donated 5% of that day’s net sales to A2A3 to help raise funds for a cure for ALS.

Be sure to thank Whole Foods for A2A3!

The following local businesses also donated to A2A3 in the fall of 2009 – thanks to all!

• November 1-7: Nicola’s Books (Westgate Shopping Center) 5% of sales to A2A3 — mention A2A3 at the register!
• November 12 and 17: Wenk’s Prescription Shop (2355 E. Stadium) 5% of sales to A2A3 — mention A2A3 at the register!
• November 16-19: Learning Express (Westgate Shopping Center) 20% of sales to A2A3 — coupon required – watch your email) – or email us!
• November 16-22: Morgan and York (1928 Packard) 5% of sales to A2A3 — mention A2A3 at the register!
• November 19, ALL DAY: Better Health Store (Lamp Post Plaza – 2420 E. Stadium) 5% of sales to A2A3 — mention A2A3 at the register!
• TBD, ALL DAY: Running Fit (123 E. Liberty – at 4th) 5% of sales to A2A3 — mention A2A3 at the register!

JEWELRY SALE! – “Originals by Donna Jeanne”

Jewelry for all ages, all styles, priced for all budgets.
20% of all proceeds were donated: 10% to Community Outreach and 10% to Ann Arbor Active Against ALS

• The Holiday Boutique and Craft Show
• FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
  640 South Lafayette (aka PONTIAC TRAIL bet. 9 MILE AND 10 MILE RDS.]
  South Lyon, MI

Shannon’s Gallery – Buy Art to Support A2A3!

As you consider gifts this season, you may wish to consider some small art pieces by a colleague of Gretchen Spreitzer, Kathleen Reardon. Kathleen has been afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, has learned to paint, and is donating proceeds from some of her paintings to A2A3! Check them out here at her online gallery created by her daughter, Shannon (click the “charity” links at the top): Shannon’s Gallery

Step up to the plate 4 ALS – Old Time Baseball Game with Old Time Rules!

Join us for special vintage baseball games to raise awareness and support for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) research! Played by the rules and customs of the 19th Century, players wear replica uniforms while recreating the game based on 1862 rules. The events are FREE but all donations benefit the ALS Therapy Development Institute.  For event details, call the Canton Sports Center at 483-5600 or visit the website for the Canton Sports Center!

Thanks to Major League Baseball for making July 4th National ALS Awareness Day beginning in 2010, the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech at Yankee Stadium. Next July 4th, consider hosting a fundraising barbecue! Head to the park! Read more about the initiative here.

A2A3 attended a Toledo Mud Hens game together on July 4th, 2010 since the Detroit Tigers were away that day. Contact us if you would like to attend with us! More information can be found at the Mud Hens website.

An A2A3 funded researcher, Stacy Sakowski, Ph. D, discussed:

“Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection in ALS.”

Time: Friday, June 5th, 2010 3:30-4:30pm
Location: 5515 BSRB (Biomedical Science Research Building) on the Ann Arbor University of Michigan Campus (Directions from Google Maps (Click Here for Street View)

ALS Film at the Michigan Theater:

One mission of A2A3 is to raise awareness and understanding of ALS. In June, 2009, A2A3 brought the award-winning documentary, “Indestructible” to Ann Arbor. Created by filmmaker Ben Byer after his own diagnosis with ALS, the film chronicles the physical and emotional journeys of patients living with ALS.

To learn more about the film and its makers, please visit the film website: Indestructible – A Story of Survival

1st Annual City Meets Country Square Dance

Ann Arbor Active Against ALS (A2A3) and the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau (WCFB) partnered for a very successful, fun, family-friendly community event: “City Meets Country Square Dance”, to raise funds for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) research.

(called by Luke Schaible)

Ann Arbor Active Against ALS (A2A3) and the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau (WCFB) partnered for a family-friendly community event: “City Meets Country Square Dance”, to raise funds for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) research. Each ticket included 1 slice of pizza, and a trip through the ice cream Sundae bar compliments of WCFB.   Pizza donated by Pizza House in Ann Arbor!  Thank you Pizza House! 

• All proceeds from this event were donated to ALS research centers that are aggressively seeking a cure or effective treatment for ALS. Research organization partners currently involved include ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and the University of Michigan’s Program for Neurology Research and Discovery.
• The 2009 focus for the WCFB is “Healthy Farms = Healthy Eating = Healthy Living”. The Square Dance combines both organizations’ goals while having a great time.
• In addition to square dancing there was a coloring contest for kids, and games and prizes for adults, too.

More information is available through the office of the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau: (734) 944-1469 or Kathy Siler, WCFB Communication Chair: (734) 645-9892.