Walking to benefit others

More than 250 walkers, many accompanied by their four-legged friends, took the three-mile walking challenge Saturday morning to benefit the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation and kick off the non-profit’s yearly campaign fund.

Hosted by Silver Springs retirement community, participants gathered for photos in the facility’s inner courtyard before the event.

After a color guard presentation by the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteer Color Guard and a send-off message from Sahuarita Mayor Lynne Skelton, the walkers set off traveling 1.5 miles north to the Anza Trailhead, with many returning 1.5 miles back to Silver Springs traveling south.

“This is simply neighbors helping neighbors,” Skelton said. “Last year, this walk raised $14,000 and we know we’ll exceed this figure today.”

Single participants and organized groups made up the crowd of walkers, all of whom donned T-shirts sporting rainbow logos depicting this year’s Walk-a-Thon theme, “Rainbow Promise,” with its pot of gold at the end.

“We wanted to invite everyone to be a part of our rainbow,” says Michelle Phillips, Community Foundation executive director. “The walk provides a chance to support the many agencies who receive GGVCF grants and to say ‘thank you’ to all our donors.”

La Posada’s group, known as the La Posada’s Walkers, headed by twins Harriet Ward and Jean Sames, numbered an impressive 68 participants. According to Jean, among the group were two 90-year-olds, Marcella Krahn and Kirk Lawton.

“Many of La Posada’s group are between ages 85 to 90,” she added.

Last year, La Posada Walkers won a prize for having the largest number of walkers, the twins said.

Walkers from many of the groups that benefit directly from GGVCF donations were represented, including members of the Arivaca Volunteer Fire Department.

Cene Backus, a resident from County Club North, helped organize eight walkers from her neighborhood, the first time the group participated.

“We’ve raised about $285, so we are pretty happy about that,” Backus said.

Cliff Scott, 85, said he was looking forward to the walk as he waited with the other participants to begin the event.

“This is my second walk with this group and I really enjoy it — giving back, that is,” he said.

Casa de Esperanza furnished a van collecting the folks who were not able to complete the three miles.

The mission of the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation is to raise, collect, manage and distribute charitable funds to meet human needs in the Greater Green Valley area.

Local agencies receiving grants include Green Valley Assistance Services, Green Valley Community Food Bank, Amado Community Food Bank, Arivaca Human Resources, Animal League of Green Valley, Carivaca Estate, Casa de Esperanza, L.I.N.K., Arivaca Community Gardens, Arivaca Area Health Services, PAWS Patrol, and United Community Health Center. All participated in this year’s walk.

The Walk-A-Thon was sponsored by various businesses, clubs and private donors, including Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold; Jim Click Automotive Team; the Green Valley News and Sun; and Wal-Mart Supercenter in Sahuarita.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740