<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4ZiXeU_0wGB9nkf00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4ZiXeU_0wGB9nkf00" width="1024" height="768" ><figcaption>Left to right: Rolf Blank, Jenn Ayers, Jen Ferrara, and Gayle Reuter at StepALIVE! on Oct. 20, 2024. (Photo: ALIVE!)</figcaption></figure>ALEXANDRIA, VA-During the annual StepALIVE! walkathon yesterday (Oct. 20), ALIVE! raised over $88,000. Established in 1981, more than 450 people took part in this edition. Sixty-seven congregations, local organizations, and businesses – including Amazon, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and The Old Town Festival of Speed and Style – contributed donations to sponsor the event. ALIVE! Executive Director Jenn Ayers called the fundraiser the nonprofit’s “largest single fundraising day.” ALIVE! works to fight food and housing insecurity. “We continue to see an elevated level of need from people who seek access to food and other essentials,” she said, “and the only way that ALIVE! has been able to sustain our programs that serve roughly 20,000 people each month is through strong community partnerships and the ongoing support of people in Alexandria.”The 5k/5-mile walkathon’s route went past many of the churches that support ALIVE! all year. Fifty faith communities collaborate to provide volunteers and financial support. Each Congregation and Community Team received trophies during the event in recognition of their valuable assistance. The event, which began at First Christian Church, featured live music, remarks from Mayor Justin Wilson and Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker, and a 50/50 raffle. “It’s always inspiring to see hundreds of people gather in support of ALIVE!’s work to provide a safety net for our neighbors in need,” said Jennifer Ferrara, Event Planning Committee Chair. “We have such a caring community and events like this help to highlight the people who are working together to make a difference. As we enter this season of giving, I hope that people in our community consider donating food or giving financially so that ALIVE! can continue this important work.” </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Alexandria’s ALIVE! Raises $88K During Annual Walkathon

ALEXANDRIA, VA-During the annual StepALIVE! walkathon yesterday (Oct. 20), ALIVE! raised over $88,000. Established in 1981, more than 450 people took part in this edition. Sixty-seven congregations, local organizations, and businesses – including Amazon, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and The Old Town Festival of Speed and Style – contributed donations to sponsor the event.