The Walk of Love cross country 5k run and fun walk took place at Elizabethtown College on Saturday, Oct. 25. Participants came together to raise money to benefit orphaned children around the world.
Sophomore Juliana Mowen lives in the Hope House Student Directed Learning Community (SDLC) and works with the charity Brittany’s Hope to help promote the group and spread the word on what they do. “The Walk of Love is relevant to Etown students because we are part of the young population of Etown, and we like to stay active,” Mowen said. “By participating, you get some sort of exercise, and it’s an overall fun event. Etown students participate by running or by volunteering for the day of the event or by helping set up the night before.”
Every year, the Walk of Love is held at the Ironstone ranch which is right down the road from Brittany’s Hope.
“The goal of the 5k is definitely to bring in money so that they can fund the orphans,” Mowen said. “However, the more fun the walk and run, the more people come out! So that’s another goal — make it fun, make the money,” Mowen said.
The Walk of Love not only had the 5k run and fun walk but also children’s games such as mini-golf, pony rides and face painting as well as having vendors that were set up around the start/finish line. Raffles were held and free T-shirts were also given to all participants after the race.
Top place finishers in the 5k race received a medal and other prizes depending on their position. “I feel this need because I love to volunteer and because it hits home for me,” Mowen said.
According to the organization’s website, “$40,000 can provide 4,000 kids with a year of medical care, 1,428 kids with food and clean water for a month or 340 safe, comfortable and stimulating cribs for infants who would otherwise be forced to sleep on a hard floor.”
Additionally, Brittany’s Hope donates 100 percent of donations it receives to orphaned children. “All non-program expenses, such as fundraising and overhead, are paid for by a corporate benefactor,” the organization’s website said.
This year, the Walk fell on the same date as Etown’s community service program, Into the Streets, but Mowen encourages everyone to try to participate next year. “Registration was packed and it was a great turnout,” Mowen said. “I know that I would still love to have more people out there next year.” To donate to Brittany’s Hope or to get more information about running or walking in next year’s race, visit www.walkoflove.org.
