Walk For a Cause

Walk For a Cause

By Hannah Fried-Tanzer, Contributing Writer

As we approach the start of summer, the days become longer and more beautiful, and we begin spending more of our time outdoors. And what better way to enjoy the gorgeous sunshine than to go for a walk? This upcoming May, there are many ways to help the community while also enjoying the outdoors. This includes two incredible walks, the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer and Project Bread. These are great opportunities in which you can help those fighting breast cancer and feed the hungry.

AVON Walk for Breast Cancer (May 15)

In its ninth year in Boston, the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer is a two-day long event starting at UMass Boston and continuing throughout the city of Boston. Emily Ransom, crew and volunteer coordinator for the AVON Walk, explains that it begins Saturday, May 15^th, where 3000 walkers gather to walk 26.2 miles around the Boston area.

"They don't have to walk every step of that if they don't want to,” Ransom clarifies. There are plenty of volunteers and crew that are available to help walkers when they need to rest, and a truck will bring them to their evening destination when they are finished walking. By the end of the day, all of the walkers end together where tents, hot dinners, showers, and entertainment are provided for the night.

"It is a home away from home for the night,” explains Ransom. In the morning, the walkers pack up their tents and belongings onto the trucks and are on their way for their 13.1-mile walk back to UMass.

Before the walk, each walker commits to raising $1800, which helped them reach a total of approximately $5.6 million last year. But there are other ways in which you can help, if you do not feel like walking. Although volunteers and crew must be 18 or older, and walkers should be at least 16, there are many opportunities for younger teens. The Young Crew is made up of kids ages 10 to 16 who dedicate themselves to the walk by helping the walkers for the weekend. You can easily get involved in the Young Crew by filling out an application and answering questions online at AVONwalk.org. Other volunteers help with mailings, assist in training the walkers, and help with check-in. In addition, you can come with a parent to help out at a cheering station.

No matter how you help, the important idea is to remember how much this walk helps those suffering from breast cancer. Not only does the walk raise money but it raises awareness. With so many people walking together in pink shirts, it's hard not to notice.

Project Bread: Walk for Hunger (May 2)

Another walk in Boston is Project Bread, a branch of the Walk for Hunger. As a walk that has existed since 1969, its goal is to engage people to raise money for the hungry. The 20-mile walk on May 2^nd begins on the Boston Common and leads toward Kenmore Square, traveling through Newton, Watertown, Cambridge, and other surrounding towns. Ryan Lee, campaign coordinator for the walk, explains that there were 44,000 walkers last year, along with 2000 volunteers, with $3.8 million raised for the hungry.

So how can you get involved in such a wonderful deed? Lee says that about a quarter of the walkers fall between the ages of 13 and 19, and there are many volunteers who are always welcome. Visiting Project Bread's website at projectbread.org can help you register to walk, volunteer at one of its volunteer posts, set up your own walk center, get those to support your walk, and begin fundraising for the event.

"It's a fun event for a serious cause,” Lee says. "It's a fun way for all to come out and have a really fun experience while doing something really powerful.”

With that in mind, don't hesitate in volunteering for one of these walks. They are both excellent opportunities to give back to the community and help those in need, while having a good time and doing something that will make you feel good.

"This is a way that a lot of people first get involved in philanthropy and giving back to community,” Lee explains. And the truth is that it helps. The money is used for really good causes that aid those who are suffering.

"The most powerful moment is seeing how many survivors are joining us for the walk,” Ransom comments on the AVON walk. "It's a reminder of why we're here and doing this.” The increasing amount of survivors walking shows that the funds raised to fight breast cancer are working.

"Hopefully it won't need to exist one day,” Ransom says. With as many people as they can get, the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer has the chance to really fill its potential and raise enough money to support breast cancer patients.

Similarly, Project Bread is helping to decrease the amount of hungry people in Boston with the donations and fundraising it receives from its walkers and volunteers.

So as the end of school slowly approaches, think about helping the community by simply walking or volunteering with a few friends or family members. It will help those in need and fill you with positive energy before crossing the finish line into summer.

-Hannah Fried-Tanzer is a junior at Holliston High school who is interested in communications and enjoys theatre. She is president of Natick United Synagogue Youth, and is a member of National Honors Society.