WDBJ-7 Meteorologist Brent Watts will serve as the Grand Marshall for HopeTree Family Services 25th Annual Walk for Hope on Saturday, May 12. The fundraising event generates support for HopeTree’s (formerly Virginia Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services) mission to provide residential, educational, and support services to at-risk children and youth as well as to adults with intellectual disabilities.
The goal of this year’s Walk for Hope is $40,000.
Supporters can join the walk online by visiting www.HopeTreeFS.org\Walk. Day-of registration for the walk begins at 8:00 am and the event gets under way at 9:00 am. HopeTree supporters will then have the option to Walk for Hope along one of two courses leading off ‘the Hill’ down through the streets of Salem and back up to the HopeTree Campus.
One course will cover roughly one mile; the other will be a three mile trek for the more adventurous participants. For those who prefer rocking chairs to walking shoes, a Rock for Hope will occur simultaneously with the Walk for Hope. There will also be the opportunity to take a more leisurely stroll around HopeTree’s beautiful campus.
A variety of other activities and games including Touch-a-Truck, races, cornhole, a bouncy house, a three-legged race will also take place during the Event. All Walkers raising at least $50 will receive a Walk for Hope t-shirt. A free appreciation gift will be distributed to all Walkers who complete one of the courses. There will also be drawings for prizes, as well as prizes for the Walker who raises the most money, comes from farthest away, and brings the most walkers as part of their team, just to name a few.
All proceeds go to support HopeTree Family Services ministries to at-risk children and youth as well as adults with intellectual disabilities. HopeTree has operated continuously since its founding in 1890. The agency provides a wide range of residential, educational, and foster care services for children and youth. HopeTree Family Services also operates 20 group homes across Virginia for adults with intellectual disabilities.
For more information on the Walk for Hope or HopeTree Family Services in general, please visit HopeTreeFS.org or call (540) 389-2112.
