Every walker received an orange shirt. Most of the registration fee of $25 goes directly to a designated beneficiary organization to help the homeless.
Help the Homeless Walkathon - 2003
On November 22, 2003 I was privileged to join the 16th Annual Help the Homeless Walkathon to raise awareness and money to assist the homeless in the Washington metropolitan area. Several tens of thousands of enthusiastic and generous citizens turned out on a beautiful day on National Mall. The goal was to raise over $6 million in the largest event of its kind in the country. Here are some pictures of this colorful and meaningful event:
|
|
As I came up out of the
Metro Station, it was easy to know where to go to register.
Every walker received an orange shirt. Most of the registration fee of $25 goes directly to a designated beneficiary organization to help the homeless. |
|
|
The Capitol building loomed in the morning haze. Congress had worked through the night on legislation unrelated to helping the homeless. |
|
|
A sound stage provided early morning musical entertainment and a few speeches by important people in the community. |
|
|
As the start time approaches, banners of beneficiaries organizations hung on high in the midst of the monuments of the city. |
|
|
A color guard presented the flag and the National Anthem was sung by a local choral group. |
|
|
The crowd swells near the starting line (this is not a race). |
|
|
|
|
|
Lots of time to admire each others orange shirt. |
|
|
A little exercise to loosen up before the 5K (3 mile) walk begins. |
|
|
A local radio station (WTOP) announcer reads the banners as the march gets underway. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The huge orange line proceeds... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The long walk provides lots of opportunities to meet new people ...... |
|
|
or just be around people who care about other people. |
|
|
Passing the Jefferson Memorial |
|
|
Back on the Mall, it is time for more pictures |
|
|
Bishop John Chane of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington joins in the march |
|
|
Lots of interesting critters abound to draw attention to the plight of the homeless. |
|
|
|
|
|
After the march a time to relax and enjoy the sunshine and company of new friends |
|
|
And so ends a brief, but meaningful opportunity to help those less fortunate than many of us. |
Links to several examples of the many beneficiary
organizations:
Samaritan Ministry of Greater
Washington
For Love of Children
Shepherd's Table
Community Ministries of
Rockville
Help The Homeless