A Guide to 2007 Charity Walks and Races

Over the last few years I've looked forward to participating in local charity walks. They are a great way for friends and families to bond. It's also a great opportunity for churches and groups to come together for a good cause. Training for one of these events can be just as fun as participating in one, and they can really be a boost/kick-off to a healthy lifestyle. If you are considering joining one of these walks, here are some organizations that are hosting walks/races this year.

3-Day Breast Cancer Walk - 3 days and 60 miles of walking to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation (funds breast cancer research and community education), and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. The walk will take place in many cities including - Boston, West Michigan, Chicago, Cleveland, the Twin Cities, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Arizona and San Diego. Each participant must commit to raising at least $2,200 for the cause. To help you be successful in the walk and in your fundraising, there will be focus groups, an orientation and each walker will be assigned a personal coach.

Crop/Hunger Walks - This walk sponsored by the Church World Service Agency raises money to help benefit agencies that provide food for the hungry (i.e. food banks/pantries and community gardens). About 2,000 communities sponsor these walks. You can call the Church World Service/CROP office at 1-888-297-2767 to find out if there is a walk in your area. If there isn't one, you might be motivated to start one. They are lots of fun and not a lot of pressure when it comes to fundraising.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - This walk will be held in 8 communities beginning in May and ending in October. The cities where the walk will take place are Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Charlotte, NC. This is a 2- day walk covering about 39 miles. If you can't participate both days, you can sign up for just one day. Participants commit to raising $1,800 for breast cancer along with a commitment to walk at least 13 miles each day. Each registrant will be assigned a coach/mentor to help them prepare for the walk as well as raise the necessary funds. Funds will go to the Avon Foundation, founded in 1955, this organization aims to fight breast cancer and aid in other issues related to females including economic advancement and domestic violence.

Relay for Life - This event that benefits the American Cancer Society, is probably one of the most well known of the charity walks. It takes place in over 4,800 communities and lasts overnight. At this event, participants can celebrate survivors, and/or remember those who have lost their lives to the disease. As far as I know, there is no fundraising requirement for this event. You can visit their website to find a walk near you.

National Kidney Foundation - Walks are held in communities in many states including GA, TX, MI, LA, TN, NY, WV, and MD. This a 5k walk to benefit your local office/branch of the National Kidney Foundation. The walks begin in April and continue through December (the Pittsburgh walk is in December at the zoo). For most offices you can register on-line and even collect funds on line, making it easy to raise funds. There are also prizes/incentive gifts for reaching fundraising goals.

Walk America - This 5 mile walk benefits the March of Dimes. The slogan for Walk America is "walk to save babies". The money from Walk America will be used for research to try and stop premature births. These walks are held all over America and I'm sure there is one in your area. For example, there are 31 walks in Michigan alone. Be sure to visit their website if you're interested.