Done – 39 miles – $30,000+  Good on ya Gals!

What an amazing pink perfect welcome we received in the heart of the garment industry of New York City.  We enjoyed a great lunch in the offices of NYCD, a creative design center which produces art and prints for swim and activewear.

Thank you so much to Kathy Simses (Laurie’s work associate) for organizing this surprise party celebrating our Avon Walk.  She was helped by Sue and Shari from her office and they outdid themselves with fantastic decorations, cool pink and white hats and visors for all team members and a delicious lunch, including really tasty tiny cupcakes.

After filling up on lunch, we filled up our UBERXL – a Suburban – with all our luggage – (and we are talking a LOT of luggage) and made our way to the house in Harlem.  Thanks Issac- we can’t believe you fit it all in!

True, we brought a bit of color into the city, but without a doubt, there is color to be found in this metropolis.

Our team has been training for well over a year, walking throughout all corners of Southern California, along the coast, over trails, on long stretches of pavement, up and down hills weaving through neighborhoods, business centers and marinas. Every walk was coordinated by a single team member who organized a place for lunch and also created a custom charm.  Now that we’ve reached our final destination, NYC, our charm bracelet is complete and will serve as a reminder for all we’ve accomplished over the past months.

Leanne, one of our team members, had a milestone birthday (we won’t mention which one) that we celebrated by having her choose a bracelet for all of her charms.  When she went out to find the perfect match, she ended up at an independent jewelry store on 5th Avenue – Maurice Balder Jewelers.  As it happened so often, we learned a great story of generosity as explained by Jeffrey Balder, current owner of the store.

Years ago, his mother decided to begin a program that supported the American Cancer Society.  Anyone who came in to have their jewelry assessed, was given information to determine the average cost of the assessment. Then they were invited to bring their jewelry to Maurice Balder Jewelers for an assessment at no cost, but asked to donate an appropriate amount to the American Cancer Society.  Over the years, thousands have been raised for the cause.  Great idea right?

Leanne ended up with this bracelet (as well as a complimentary one in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month) to hold her charms and keep the memory of our time in New York.

BTW – Jeff also told us a story of when the Queen of England came into the store on a visit to the States.  She liked the complimentary mints that he had so much, that her assistant asked Jeff where he got them.  He was too embarrassed to tell her they were from a local discount candy distributor and sold for around $6 a bucket, so he ordered her six buckets and had them delivered to her hotel. Only in New York.

Once of the most satisfying aspects of completing the Avon Walk is talking with other participants about why they walk.  Every single person has a story, or multiple tales, as to why they would train so hard and ask for monetary support from friends and family time and time again.  When you are walking in close proximity to one another, it is natural to strike up conversations and find out the reasons and inspirations that bring these women and men out for the challenge.

Debbie was touched by this young man who was walking with this mother.  She is a survivor and they took this opportunity to share a special accomplishment with one another. What a memory to cherish.  We walked behind five young women on day two.  The back of their shirts read, “I’m walking for Dad and her Mom.” with an arrow that pointed outward. Then another said “I’m walking for my Mom and her Dad” with a similar arrow. Turns out they were three sisters and a friend from Palo Alto, CA.  The sisters’ father had died from breast cancer, which is not uncommon.  The other girl, who was probably in her early 20s, lost her Mom to breast cancer.  They were all tall, thin and beautiful California girls, one was the club volleyball coach at Stanford, the friend who joined the sisters, was a player who the woman coached.  This was their third walk, and first in New York.  Pictures, poems, quotes and long lists of names decorated the backs and fronts of shirts and hats and inspired everyone to put one foot forward to making a difference in this fight.

Holly Go Lightly may have been happy with eggs and toast on a blue plate, but our gals needed jewels!  A few trips to Tiffany’s brought home a bit of bounty.  Lisa and Lori made quick friends with sales staff who were determined to give the girls a true Tiffany’s purchasing experience.  Irving, who helped Lisa select her bracelet, was a bit taken aback when she asked “Does Tiffany’s carry anything with more of a Southwestern or Native American flair?”  Would we have loved to be there to see the expression on Irving’s face.

The funny thing here is not that we caught Wendy on the commode, but more the fact that it was on the sidewalk on 77th between Park and Fifth Avenue, one of the more exclusive areas of New York City.

Lisa wanted to make sure that we headed to the Apollo Theater while in Harlem so she arranged to get us tickets.  We wanted to go to amateur night, but it didn’t work with our schedule so we got tickets for the Bessie awards.  we didn’t have a clue what they were, but heck we would get to go to the Apollo.  We did find out that it was an award show for dance.

Turns out the Bessie’s were really cool, although we really didn’t know what was going on or who was being awarded what.  Carol was thrilled when Jessye Norman came on stage as the presenter of the 2014 Bessie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance to Arthur Mitchell, founder of the Harlem School of Dance.   Carol has heard Jessye Norman’s singing voice but we all could have listened to her speak a bit longer…it was mesmerizing.  A female James Earl Jones.  Another highlight was Dr. Chuck Davis, who received the award for Service in the Field of Dance. Dr. Davis brought his dance and African drummers on stage from his Dance Africa! team.  He got everyone up and dancing.  It was inspiring.  We enjoyed four performances two especially intriguing…one by the Urban Bush Women and the other a very unique tap number which was performed by three dancers all in a lighted area of the stage that could not have measured more than 10 x 5.  Very cool.  Here are some quotes we liked from the event.

Dr. Chuck Davis – “Peace, love, respect – everyone.”

Dr. Chuck Davis – “If you are dancing, there is no time for hate.”

Camille A Brown – I am the last one who anyone would call courageous or fearless and look at me now.  (After she won her award).

Camille A Brown – Don’t let anyone tell you what to do or more importantly, what not to do.”

Well said!

We promised some “fun” pictures of every team member…well here’s one of first time Avon Walker Leanne taking advantage of some of the goodies given out at the rest stops.  Bye, bye birdie.

Without a doubt, being part of the Pink Bragade helped make the walk not only possible, but enjoyable.  Here are some “family” portraits from Day One.

Fini…ahhhhhh!