Opening and Closing Ceremonies!

I'm excited! And a little nervous at the same time! The "Spectator Information" for the San Francisco event have been posted up! The addresses for the opening and closing ceremonies have been posted up! And that's exciting! I'm a little nervous because, well, I need to get to the event between 5am-6am. Lets say 5:30am! Because I'm sure there'll be the need to sign in and things like that! YIKES! I'm sure time will fly, and soon, I'll be saying it's less than 8 1/2 days! Woohoo!

And below is my usual cut+paste way of keeping you posted! LOL

Before the Event
Getting ready for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure^® is a big job. Here are some ways to support your participant before the big day arrives.

• Write a letter expressing your love and support to your walker, which we’ll deliver to her/him on the event.
  Send letters to:
  3-Day for the Cure 
  ATTN: DIPA V (5905919)
  P.O.Box 78294
  San Francisco, CA 94107
  
  Envelopes only, please. No boxes or large packages. Mail must be postmarked no later than August 30th in order to ensure delivery at the 3-Day Camp Post Office. Please note: This address is not the actual location of camp, but a PO Box for mail delivery only. Any mail that is not received by the 3-Day by the date above or retrieved by the participant by September 25th will be destroyed.
• Organize a group to host your very own private cheering station. (Contact coaches@the3day.org for more information.)
• Organize a group of Camp Angels to assist participants with setting up and striking tents and unloading gear. (Contact coaches@the3day.org for more information.)
• Help raise money. Ask your participant how you can get involved in her/his fundraising plan.
• Join your participant on a training walk.

Opening Ceremony
The 3-Day for the Cure begins early Friday morning with the Opening Ceremony. When you arrive, take a moment to write the names of the people in your life who have lost their lives to breast cancer on the white ribbons we will provide. Those ribbons will be used to create a special memorial flag that will be raised during the ceremony.

This celebration is not just for participants. Friends and family are highly encouraged to attend, though please note that seating will not be available, so if you are unable to stand for 30-60 minutes, you may want to bring a folding chair. Please allow extra travel time due to expected traffic congestion at the site.

After the Opening Ceremony is over, participants will begin walking the 60-mile route and start a journey of a lifetime. It will be even more special if you are there to help send them off with smiles and encouragement.

Friday, September 9
Cow Palace
2600 Geneva Avenue
Daly City, CA 94014

Schedule for the Day:
4:00 a.m. - Crew members should arrive.
5:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. - Walkers should arrive.
6:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremony begins with community stretching.

Spectator Parking
Follow the signs and volunteer direction for spectator parking after dropping off your participant.

Public TransportationTake the San Francisco/Milbrae BART line to Balboa Park station. From Balboa Park station take the S.F. Muni Bus #9ax/9x Bayshore Express to the Cow Palace bus stop at the corner of Geneva Avenue and Santos Street. Other routes to the Cow Palace are available from the Transit Destinations website.

Cheering Stations
Cheering stations will be posted approximately 2 weeks prior for the event.

On some portions of the route you may find areas that are deemed “quiet zones” which will be indicated by signage on the route. Please assist us in respecting our neighborhoods and communities during this time.

Camp
Our campsite is meant to be a special place for your participants to relax, reflect and bond with the 3-Day community. To help us maintain a safe, secure and organized campsite for your loved ones, we ask that you respect our “no visitors” policy. Also, if you wish to call your walker or crew member on their cell phone, please do not call after 9:00 p.m. “lights out,” when camp is a quiet zone.

While at Home
Capture the 3-Day in the news: While walkers are taking steps to end breast cancer, save any media coverage of the 3-Day. Aside from being a nice addition to your participant's 3-Day memorabilia, it will show her/his impact on the community.

Engage the kids in the cause: Since holding down the fort may include taking care of the kids, you can make this time meaningful by connecting them with the breast cancer cause.

• Have them create signs or decorations if they are able to go to a cheering station.
• Have them create a welcome home banner.
• Give them journals so they can write or draw what they’ve been doing for three days.
• Have them plan a welcome home meal or put together a care package with goodies, movies, comfy slippers, etc.
• Use this as an opportunity to talk to your kids about community, helping others and making a difference in the world.

Closing Ceremony
After three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final and incredibly emotional victory walk into the Closing Ceremony. Friends, family and supporters should arrive at the Closing Ceremony site at least one hour early to get the best view of the program. We encourage you to carpool or take public transportation. Not only is it better for the planet, but it will help lessen traffic congestion for everyone.

All walkers and crew members should remain in the Participant Holding Area where they will receive a victory shirt, cheer on fellow walkers and crew members and celebrate one last time together before their dramatic victory walk. The Participant Holding Area is CLOSED to spectators. If you wish to meet with a participant before the Ceremony begins, please have them meet you at the Closing Ceremony site. All participants must return to the Holding Area no later than 4:30 p.m. in order to join the victory walk.

Don't forget to continue the spirit of kindness we'll be building on the 3-Day throughout and beyond the Closing Ceremony!

Sunday, September 11
5:00 p.m.

Marina Green
Marina Boulevard & Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

Parking
Parking is limited. Please car pool or take public transportation. Public parking is available at lots east of Marina Green near Fort Mason and on surrounding streets.

Public Transportation
Muni Lines Near Marina Green: 10 Townsend, 22 Fillmore, 28 - 19th Avenue, 30 Stockton, 47 Van Ness, 49 Van Ness/Mission. Call MUNI for details (see below).

Bay Area-Wide Transit Information: http://www.transit.511.org/ or dial 511 (or 817-1717) from any area code in the Bay Area counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma.

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) - http://www.bart.gov/ or 510-465-2278

Golden Gate Transit - http://www.goldengate.org/ or 415-455-2000

SamTrans/CalTrain - http://www.caltrain.com/ or 800-660-4287

Municipal Railway (MUNI) - http://www.sfmuni.com/ or 415-673-6864


After the Event
Your participant has participated in two emotional celebrations, a challenging 60-mile journey and a life-changing experience in just three days. Now, it’s time to go back home. Here are some tips on how to help your walker make a smooth transition back to their daily routine.

• Have a welcome home meal prepared and make it an evening of rest and relaxation.
• Encourage your participant to share the 3-Day experience.
• If you can’t attend the Closing Ceremony, be sure to ask how much money was raised!
• Unpack, clean and put away gear.
• Share the newspaper articles or news footage that you’ve collected over the weekend.
• The following day, give your participant a massage or schedule a day of pampering at a spa.
• In the days to come, help your participant write thank you notes.
• Print pictures and assemble a scrapbook.
• Help your participant plan a reunion party to keep in touch with other walkers.
• Get ready to do it all over again! Maybe you’ll be joining the 3-Day in 2012!