October came and went very quickly for those involved in our annual Walking With Purpose initiative. As we wrap up this year’s Walking With Purpose, we want to share our heartfelt thanks to you for joining us. We could not have done it without you.
We set a goal to walk 12,000 miles, which is symbolic of the 12,000 students who may benefit from the work we do in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. Twenty-six team captains stepped up to the challenge by walking and raising funds for kids in Kalamazoo! These team captains brought with them over 200 walkers.
Working together, we exceeded our goal and walked a total of 12,358 miles!
Thank you to our team captains who made this all possible!
1000 Miles – Mariana Kondon
CSM Group – Katrina Reed
CWS Walkers – Savannah Stuart
DeltaSigmaThetaSorority – Erycka Hunter
Felicia’s Walking Friends – Felicia Lemons
Fifth Third Warriors – Laura Bliss
Gazelle Sports – Kristin Hamilton
Girls on the Run Kazoo – Karen Allen
I Am the One Fitness – Erycka Hunter
KZCF – Love Where You Live – Erycka Hunter
Northglade Walks! – Ashley Drenth
Promise Penguins – Cetera DiGiovanni
Rose Wellbeing – Mia Leibold
School of Walk – Kelly Leversee
Sparty Squad – Molly Kinnison
Strolling For Students – Kim Nemire
Team 3D-Drake – Tracie Drake
Team Delton – Cindy Glenn
Team Walk & Talk – Sara Ware
The Panthers – Kim Townsend
Tipsy Trekkers – Pam Dalitz
Too Inspired to be Tired – Jennafer Cooperrider
Walk With Heart – Kathleen Matyas and Melanie Bryce
Walking Tacos – Moira Gilligan-Ide
Welsh Walking Warriors – Alisha Kuch
Woodward Wolves – Heather Gatton
Not only is “community” in our name and mission but remains at the heart of our work. Here at Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS), we understand the importance of “community”. A community joined for a common cause—to support students—so that they are empowered to stay in school and achieve in life.
New this year, teams raised funds through a fun Cider and Scenery painting event and by donating items to a silent auction. Teams also raised funds by asking their network to support their miles, by getting matching gifts from their companies, and through special events.
Through these efforts, more than, $20,000 was raised to support our mission.
If you would like to support Walking With Purpose, the donation page will be open through the end of the year. We would be grateful for additional gifts to fund our important work. Here is the link.
Before even kicking off our Walking With Purpose initiative, we had a group of committee volunteers helping us plan this year. Thanks to our helpful group, during the month we hosted weekly “mission mile” walks, added the cider and scenery event, and revisited our end of event celebration by infusing more health and wellness components to help participants continue their journey of a healthy lifestyle. Committee members include Laura Bliss, Mia Leibold, Molly Kinnison, Kim Nemire, Tracie Drake, Sara Ware, Pam Dalitz, Jennafer Cooperrider, Heather Gatton, Forrest Buffenbarger, Kevin Kline, Laurin Mathis, and Felicia Lemons.
Please join us in thanking our presenting sponsor, Lake Michigan Credit Union.
Thank you to our supporting sponsors: Athletico Physical Therapy, Allkins Family Foundation, CWS Financial Advisors, Eaton, FEMA Corporation, Fifth Third Bank, and Old National Bank.
And, thank you to our in-kind sponsors: Gazelle Sports, Graphix 2 Go, Husted’s Farm Market, Imperial Beverage, the Kalamazoo Nature Center, and Rose Wellbeing.
Tags: Allkins, Athletico, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, CWS Financial, CWS Financial Advisors, Eaton, FEMA, FEMA Corporation of Michigan, Fifth Third Bank, Gazelle Sports, Graphix 2 Go, Husteds, Imperial Beverage, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LMCU, Old National Bank, Rose Wellbeing, walking, Walking With Purpose
