The first annual “Friends of the Poor® Walk” will get underway in Newnan in the form of a 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, Sept. 25, benefiting the St. Mary Magdalene Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The event is a major fundraiser for the local society which directly aids those in need in Coweta County.
“As Vincentians, we see the personal tragedy of poverty firsthand and do much to alleviate it,” said Liz Durand, chairperson of the event. Durand said they were seeking individuals to participate in the 5K as well as corporate sponsors and volunteers.
All funds realized will go to people in Coweta county, she added.
In the past year, the Society at St. Mary Magdalene provided food for 347 people, clothing for 153, furniture for 13 families and home visits to 257 families. The total number of people helped was over 877, according to Lois Bruning, president of the local conference which devoted almost 9,000 hours to helping Coweta residents in need.
“Our presence has been very real and we hope to obtain some additional funds from the walk which will help us reach yet more people. The requests mount daily,” she added.
The 5K Walk, a national program of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, will start at Carl Miller Park – 8 a.m. for walkers and 8:15 for runners. T-shirts will be awarded participants. The fee is $20 for individuals and $30 for a family. Walkers and runners may sign up via the group’s website at www.svdp.smm.org.
“We urgently need individuals, comuunity groups and corporations to commit their participation, celebrating the poor and honoring those caring individuals who work directly in the community to alleviate the pain of poverty and suffering,” Durand added.
For additional information, call Durand, 770-502-2394.
