Madalena Warren, a teacher at Woodland, recently presented students with a community service opportunity to improve their awareness of the less fortunate through the St. Vincent De Paul Mission of Waterbury, Inc. On Sunday, October 16, the mission will host a “Walk in their Footsteps/Race for Awareness,” with proceeds made benefiting the mission and the services it offers.
The St. Vincent De Paul Mission provides services such as housing and basic needs to adults and families who are struggling with homelessness, poverty, hunger, and/or mental illness. The mission manages a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, thrift store, affordable housing program, mental health division, and more.
The 2.5 mile walk course will take walkers through the thrift store, homeless shelter, and soup kitchen and runners are welcome to visit the homeless shelter after the run if they want to. Check-in starts at 12:00 noon. The walk starts at 1:00p.m. and costs $10, but children under 9 are free. The run starts at 1:30p.m. and costs $25, but costs $30 after October 11. There will be t-shirts, entertainment, refreshments, and prizes.
Warren learned about the walk and run a few years ago through her church. Interested in showing her children how fortunate they are, Warren signed her family up for the walk. She began telling others about it and put together a team of walkers as advised to by the deacon at her church, a co-adviser of the committee that manages the walk and run. In the years since, Warren has continued to put together teams of people and this year is a part of the committee for the first time. Warren is looking forward to seeing whether changes made to the event by the committee will be beneficial and is hoping for good weather on the day of the event.
Students who participate in the walk or run can earn community service hours. Warren will be at the event to sign off on community service forms. If a student is interested in coming before the event to help set up, they can organize it ahead of time with Warren, which would allow them to earn additional community service hours. However, it is important to remember that participants under 18 must be registered and accompanied by a parent or responsible adult in order to participate in the walk or run.
If you are interested in seeing what life looks like for a less fortunate person, participating in this event will not only expose you to it but also help you to become more aware of the vital services the St. Vincent De Paul Mission provides to the community.
