Volunteers Lace Up To ‘Walk For Home’ - Saturday Event Benefits Homeless Prevention Council

CHATHAM – As they’ve done for the past six years, housing advocates and their supporters will be lacing up for the 2.2-mile Walk for Home Saturday, raising funds and drawing attention to the need to prevent homelessness. The trek benefits the Homeless Prevention Council and begins and ends at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church on Main Street.

 “This event brings our community together to help support our mission to help the people in our community remain stably housed, financially secure,” an event announcement reads. “Every step you take helps prevent homelessness and supports our personalized case management prevention services that transform lives.”

 St. Christopher's has hosted a version of the walk for the last five years. Parishioner donations are matched by a donation from St. Christopher's Outreach Fund, which is made possible by the earnings of the church's well-known thrift shop. This year's walk includes teams from St. Christopher's and the entire Lower and Outer Cape community, and more than 100 walkers are expected in Chatham alone. Chatham Walk chairs Joan Morgan and Christine Jones have raised awareness and garnered support from local merchants with special giveaways for registered walkers. As walkers gather, Hadley Luddy, CEO of HPC, members of the HPC staff and board of directors and the Rev. Jennifer Zogg, new rector at St. Christopher's, will be on hand to greet them.

 Participants will meet in front of the church to register for the walk, which begins at 9 a.m. Walkers receive a free T-shirt and then embark on the course, which runs down Main Street to the lighthouse, up Silverleaf Avenue to Water Street and School Street before returning to the church via Main Street. The church is hosting a post-walk celebration with breakfast pizza and a prize giveaway drawing. Participants collect pledges and walk as a team or individually, and those who are unable to attend in person can sign up as a “virtual walker” for a $30 donation.

 Funds benefit the Orleans-based Homeless Prevention Council, which works one-on-one with clients to help them develop a personalized housing plan, providing rental assistance and linking clients with community partners. HPC also administers a housing stabilization fund to help Lower and Outer Cape residents who are at risk of losing housing. Learn more at www.HPCCapeCod.org. 

 Organizers say there are many good reasons to “Walk for Home” Saturday, either in Chatham or at a companion event in Provincetown. In addition to working to prevent homelessness, walkers have a chance to make new friends, get prizes and make a real difference.

 “At a time when many are feeling helpless, events like this bring people together, empowering each of us to help build a stronger, more connected community while directly supporting those in need,” organizers wrote.