Friends of the Poor Walk set for Sept. 23

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Some of the more vulnerable members of the community are once again getting a helping hand thanks to some active legs.

The annual St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk is set for 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Carrie Blake Community Park. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m.

Funds raised by the event go the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Sequim and will be used to help those in need who are in the Sequim School District.

“With the funds raised from the walk, we are able to help prevent homelessness,” event coordinator Mike McAleer said.

“With the rental housing shortage, rents are rising and making it more difficult for people to stay in their homes. We are also responding to more than the usual number of requests for assistance with PUD bills after the unusually cold winter and our funds have been depleted as a result,” he said.

This year, the walk begins at the park’s picnic shelter and proceeds east along the Olympic Discovery Trail. Participants have the option of walking as far as Whitefeather Way or in a short loop around Carrie Blake Park.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an all-volunteer organization. More than 95 percent of the funds raised go to direct support of those in need. Help is given to anyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender or religion.

For more information or to register before the day of the walk, call 360-460-8883.