NAMIWALKS NW 2024: FAQ
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Time: 11 AM - 2 PM
Location: Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks Way
Portland, OR 97217
Distance: .5 miles for every loop around the park
Timeline:
11:00 AM: Registration opens / T-shirt distribution / Activities and Resource Fair Begins
11:15 AM - 12 PM: Warm-up Yoga Class with Firelight Yoga
12 PM: Don't Tell Mary Performs
12:45 PM: Opening Remarks with NAMI Oregon and Special Guests
1:00 PM Ready, Set, Walk!
2:00 PM Decompress/Closing
NAMIWalks will take place rain or shine!
Walk Day
Q: Where does the walk take place?
A: The walk and other festivities will be hosted at Peninsula Park in Portland. The walk route is about a .5 mile loop around the park.
Q: Is Peninsula Park accessible via public transit?
A: Yes! Trimet has two bus lines that service the park (#4 an #44) and the MAX Yellow Line/Rosa Parks MAX station is only a short walk from the park.
Q: Is there parking available at the walk site?
A: Yes, there is limited street parking available on N Kerby and N Albina and in the surrounding area. We strongly encourage people to carpool with others or take public transit, as the park is situated in a residential area so parking is limited.
Q: Do you still need volunteers?
A: Yes! We need lots of volunteers to make the walk happen! Children over 16 years old (12 if accompanied by an adult) are also welcome to volunteer. For more info and to sign up, complete our volunteer interest form here.
Q: Do people who want to volunteer the day of the walk have to register or join a team?
A: No, but if you are already planning to walk, we do have volunteer jobs that you can do before/after the walk to assist with set up and clean up.
Q: May I push my child in a stroller along the walk route?
A: Absolutely!
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Registered participants may bring leashed dogs. We will have therapy animals on site and want to ensure the safety of the animals and your animals.
Q: Is the walk wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes. The route is paved and we will have wheelchair-accessible restrooms available as well.
Q: What if I can’t physically do the walk?
A: No problem! Please join us for music, activities, and camaraderie.
Q: Is there food at the walk?
A: Yes, food will be available for purchase from HeightScream ice cream truck, Good News BBQ, and 1884 Wood Fire Pizza. Additionally, at the walk, there will be free packaged snacks as they last and free bottled water.
Q: Is smoking cigarettes allowed at the walk?
A: No. For the health of our volunteers and walkers, and per the terms of our permit for the event, smoking is not allowed in the immediate staging area of the walk.
Q: Where do team captains meet with their teams?
A: Because of the large number of people attending the walk, we recommend that team captains arrange a meeting place ahead of time. Many teams make signs with their team logo and name that help their teammates find them in the crowd.
Q: I live in Oregon, but I’m pretty far from Portland. Can I still participate in some way?
A: Of course! People further afield are welcome to participate virtually, or attend one of our satellite events closer to them. In addition to our flagship event in Portland, our chapters in Columbia County, Central Oregon, Lane County, Klamath County, and Southern Oregon host NAMIWalks events in May.
Q: Will it be fun?
A: You bet!!
Registration
Q: Is there a fee to register for the walk?
A: There is no cost to register, but donations are welcomed.
Q: Can people who want to walk register at the walk site?
A: Yes! To keep lines at the registration/check-in area short, we strongly encourage participants to register online before May 18 if possible.
Q: Do they have to register for a specific team?
A: No. Participants can register as team captains, team members, or individuals. Anyone is welcome to join the team “NAMI Oregon”!
Donations
Q: Are donations accepted the day of the walk?
A: Yes! You can make a donation by cash, check, or money order on event day. We will not be able to process credit card donations at the walk site on walk day, but namiwalks.org/northwest will remain open for online donations.
Q: What if I want to donate before the walk via check?
A: We welcome donations made via check and sent by mail. Make the check payable to NAMI Oregon and send it to our office at 147 SE 102nd Ave, Portland, OR 97216. If you would like your donation to benefit a specific team or local chapter, please indicate that in the memo line. If you have no preference as to where the donation goes, just put NAMIWalks Northwest in the memo line.
Q: How long will donations be accepted?
A: Donations will be accepted for the walk for up to 60 days after the event.