Q: How did the Cheerios get the idea to
build this site?
Well, we never shut up about the walk and the
great things this experience has taught us. Our families thought this
would be an outlet that might save their ears some wear & tear.
No, seriously, we all just have so much to share about
our feelings and what happened to us. We wanted to compile this
information in a way that would be useful for the walkers. We're
certainly not trying to replace the Avon website or the official
"package" of stuff they send us. This site is more about the
day-to-day details of life during training, life during the walk, and
the attempt to return to normal life after the walk.
Q: How did the Cheerios get their
name?
Our fearless Canadian rebel, Susie-Q, always uses
"Cheerio, eh" as her universal greeting: hello, good-bye, love
you, whatever. She was always calling out to passers-by, as we were
walking: "Cheerio, eh!" And it just stuck. When it came time to
create an official team name for the SF'00 walk, that was it. Fortunately
for us, someone else had already invested in a lot of marketing and brand
recognition (not to mention collateral),
so that helped us quickly develop an identity. Over the last 2 years, we
have acquired or created Cheerio t-shirts, watches, hats, luggage tags,
scarves, "cool neck things" (AKA "snakes"), stickers,
a beautiful vinyl banner ("Cheerio -- SF 3-Day Walkers Salute
You"), toys, bubble guns, and several Cheerio CDs (hand-crafted by
Marcia & Bev, as well as Jane's sons Chris, Nick & Greg).
NO, we don't work for Cheerios (the cereal). NO, they
don't sponsor any of us. NO, they are not aware of our presence, and we'd
like to keep it that way. Their corporate lawyers might slap a "cease
& desist" order on us, and force us to take their logo off of our
site. Shhhhhhhhhhhh..................it's our little secret.
Q: How did the Cheerios get together?
Through a variety of ways, many of which are described
on our bio page. One of us met another at a
walk, or knew another from previous adventures, and somehow we all came
together. In the group of 12, we have one mother-daughter pair, one
domestic partner couple, one set of sisters, several former co-workers,
and some amazing coincidences. One teachers at another's alma mater high
school. One knew of another through a now-defunct pro sports team.
Q: What made the Cheerios successful as
a group, both in training and becoming a "family?"
Being flexible, and willing to walk when
and where others wanted to. Being interested in each other, and being
very aware of how we all were feeling. This group included survivors,
women who lost their mother/grandmother/aunt to breast cancer, women
with family members in treatment, and some who were very emotionally
wrapped up in the whole concept. Being considerate of each other, our
schedules, other walkers/drivers on the road. Being committed to making
this "the experience of a lifetime." Being helpful to each
other and strangers. Maintaining an incredible sense of humor.
Remembering why and how we all get together for this cause. Opening our
hearts and souls (soles?) to each other during those loooooooooooooong training
hours.
Q: What are the technical details
behind this site?
