Most of the large Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and other campus groups are pledging to be at the event and support kids with TS.
MAHWAH – With the NJ Walks for TS at Ramapo College less than a month away, various student organizations on campus are ramping up their preparations – imploring their members to attend in an attempt to be the group that brings the most participants to the event, which will take place rain or shine on Sunday, April 14. Right now, several groups from the college’s vibrant Greek Life are taking the lead.
“There has been support from all the different campus organizations, including Greek Life,” said communications student AnnaKatharine Miehe, who is planning the walk as her senior project. “I look forward to people coming together at NJ Walks for TS at Ramapo College in hopes of making a positive difference for those with TS.”
A large portion of Ramapo College’s Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority already has signed up, and the organizations is expecting upward of 70 of its members to attend.
“I think it’s great that this walk is being held on Ramapo’s campus and incorporated into Greek Week,” said Kelsey Gore, President of Sigma Sigma Sigma. “We’ve never had a community service aspect during this week before, and it will be great for all Greeks to unite for this great cause.”
Miehe and Gore expect more than just Ramapo students show up to support this event, however. Miehe has high hopes that a significant percentage of the North Jersey Tourette Syndrome community will make its presence known – a number made more significant by the fact that 1 in 100 children and adults are affected by the misunderstood, misdiagnosed neurological disorder.
Registration for the event will begin at 1 p.m. on April 14, with the walk commencing at 2 p.m. The cost is $10 for current Ramapo College students only (must show college ID and/or have a valid Ramapo e-mail address; not applicable for Ramapo faculty or former students) and $22.50 for the general public. A pilot program for high school and middle school students wishing to participate as a team at a reduced cost as part of a fundraising initiative also is available through the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS), the beneficiary of this event.
As part of the festivities, NJCTS will present River Dell High School senior Emily Fleischman with the inaugural Youth Advocate of the Year Award. Miehe’s brother, Will, is part of a band that will feature reggae-and-blues music throughout the afternoon, and the Ramapo College A Cappella group will sing the National Anthem.
To join Miehe, Gore and the rest of the Ramapo College community at the walk, please visit the NJ Walks For TS at Ramapo College registration page. To inquire about the pilot program, please do not register online. Instead, please call NJCTS at 908-575-7350.
To help Miehe, NJCTS and members of New Jersey’s TS community fund-raise for this event, the proceeds from which will benefit the statewide education outreach and peer advocacy programs of NJCTS, please visit the NJ Walks For TS at Ramapo College donations page.
To volunteer your time and talents on the day of the event, please call NJCTS Volunteer Coordinator Marty Butterfield at 908-575-7350 or send an e-mail with “Ramapo Walk Volunteer” in the subject line to info@njcts.org. For more information about NJCTS’ programs and services or the origins of the NJ Walks For TS initiative, please visit www.njcts.org.