Walkers raise funds for poor
By Anna Krejci, Dells Events
The St. Vincent de Paul Society Friends of the Poor Walk Sept. 26 was a success in its first year in Wisconsin Dells, according to organizer Chris Fearing.
Twenty-eight walkers, 40 businesses and a handful of citizens who made donations helped raise $6,600, which Fearing said was “fabulous for our first year.”
“I was tickled pink with it...It was a small group of walkers, but we walked downtown and we carried a banner and let people know who we were...” Fearing said.
The walk was organized to raise money for the homeless families with children attending school in the Wisconsin Dells School District. Fearing said she estimates that about six families will benefit from the money raised.
The money will be used as rental assistance and to help families find a more suitable place to live.
She said some churches also took a special offering collection for their cause, but she doesn’t know yet how much money it generated.
Fearing said St. Vincent de Paul sent more than 300 letters to businesses asking for support.
“I’m hoping next year we’ll see that increase, and next year we’ll be ahead of the game and know a little more what we’re doing,” she said.
Next year she hopes three times as many walkers will participate. The walk is a national event held by St. Vincent de Paul Society and is slated for the last Saturday of September.
Fearing emphasized that the walk was organized with no expenses thanks to donated services and goods so all the money is going to assist homeless families or families with inadequate living arrangements.