STEPPING OUT AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
On a cool Saturday morning, April 21st, over 400 walkers and volunteers  gathered in Uptown Whittier's Central Park to step out for the 11 th Annual "Stepping Out Against Domestic Violence" 5K Fitness Walk. The Walk, which drew participants from Whittier and surrounding communities, raised over $46,000 in support of the Women's and Children's Crisis Shelter (WCCS), making this our most financially successful Walk to date. In its 30th year, WCCS has provided emergency shelter and support services for battered women and their children throughout Southeast Los Angeles County. All money contributed by walkers and their sponsors went to support the women and children at WCCS, who seek lives free from violence and full of dignity, self-empowerment, and hope. |
For the second year the Walk featured a special display - The Clothesline Project. Four dozen shirts, designed by women and children in the WCCS program, hung from clotheslines in the park. The shirts, illustrated with words and pictures, powerfully raised awareness about the impact of family violence. The Project provides a safe forum for survivors to courageously break the silence of violence and to celebrate their strength to survive.
Volunteers from Whittier Disaster Communications Services, Whittier High School Football team, National Charity League, Whittier Junior Woman's Club, Whittier Area First Day Coalition, Girl Scout Troop 769, Miss Whittier Scholarship Pageant, Shelter's Right Hand, WCCS, and other kind friends provided many helping hands to ensure that all went smoothly. Special thanks go to our sound system expert Rich Cheatham and to our official photographer Bill Church. T-Shirts and goody bags were distributed to all walkers, along with bottles of water generously donated by Linda and Tim Domis / The Domis Team, Prudential California Realty. |
Prior to the Walk kick-off, long-time supporter Marilyn Grant of Dancerobics led walkers in warm-up exercises. On hand to welcome walkers and volunteers was Whittier Mayor Owen Newcomer, who shared a message from Honorary Walk Co-Chair former Mayor Cathy Warner, who could not attend. Veteran CBS2 News Reporter Dave Lopez, also an Honorary Co-chair, warmly greeted those gathered and shared his enthusiasm for their support of the Shelter. Presenting Sponsor Wells Fargo Bank was recognized for its continued generous support of the 5K Walk. Special recognition was given to Major Sponsor First Team Real Estate and its First in Our Hearts Foundation.
The official Walk began with a fanfare performed by students from Whittier  High School. Teams of walkers from Wells Fargo and Dancerobics led walkers through the historic streets of Uptown Whittier. Along with individual walkers, families, and friends, participants from 40 organizations and businesses walked, ran, strolled and rolled their way along the 3-mile route. Every walker crossing the finish line received a "You are a Winner" medal, generously donated by First Team Real Estate. |
At the Walk event, Bright Medical Associates provided health screenings for body fat analysis and blood pressure. Business sponsors Wells Fargo, First Team Real Estate, Mission Court Salon & Day Spa, Dancerobics, and South Western Federal Credit Union had tables providing information and give-always.
Returning to Central Park, walkers and volunteers queued up for tasty refreshments donated by Whittier Farms, Einstein Noah Bagels, Costco, Trader Joe's, and Arrowhead Water. Starbucks Coffee served delicious coffee and pastries for everyone.
Be sure to save the date for next year's 5K Fitness Walk, Saturday, April 19, 2008. If you know of any businesses or organizations that would like to participate as sponsors, or if you would like to lend a helping hand, give us a call at (562) 696-6382. Also, please let us know if you have a big prize we can offer for next year's walk.' See you in April 1, 2008! |
