Imagine a snowy winter day with no warm home to go to but living on the street in the blustery cold with little or no food or money.  How would you stay warm?  How would you secure employment?  How would you obtain the services you need? These are the challenges that face many homeless members of our community on a daily basis. This is why Steppingstone, Inc. has organized a 5K Walk for the Homeless for the past four years to provide these homeless people with not only food and shelter but an opportunity to turn their lives around and become self-sufficient. This year's event took place on August 19th, drew over 100 participants and raised over $30,000. Sponsor included Mallard Pops Printing, Collins Construction, Regal Interiors, Feitelberg Insurance, Meyer, Regan & Wilner, Mr.& Mrs. Anthony Abraham, Willow Laboratories & Medical Center, Jenkins Electric, Attorney Robert J. Marchand, Fall River Herald News, GM Refrigeration, A & E Metals, Seth Hocket-Lotz Domino's Pizza, Walmart, Sysco Food Services, Quintal Real Estate, Citizens Union Savings Bank, 401 Motoring Inc., Highland Obstetrics & Gynecology, Alcoholism Council, Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr., JR Alarms, Fall River Prescription Center, Whites of Westport, SSTAR, Cape Verdean Association, Adcare Hospital, Spa Noor, Distinctive Homes, JP Serpa Dairy, Lightolier, Axion Business Technologies, and the Family Service Association. For further information or to make a donation anytime, contact Kathy Clark at 508-674-2788, Ext. 110. To see what others are doing in Fall River to prevent homelessness, click here.
 

(Top row, left) Steppingstone Executive Director Kathleen Schedler-Clark kicks off the event. (Top row, center) Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr. welcomes the crowd and thanks them for their efforts on behalf of the homeless of Fall River. (Top row, right) Walkers keep up a brisk pace on Durfee Street on the first leg of the 3.2 mile course. (Middle row, left) Walkers go by the International Culinary Arts Institute on Rock Street. (Middle row, right) Walkers pint to the sign at the Stone Residence at 177 North Main Street where many homeless men and women obtain a low-income apartment. (Bottom row, left) Paulette Dixon cheers the walkers as they pass the finish line at the Steppingstone headquarters. (Bottom row, center) Pauline Copeland holds one end of the tape while Delia Abate hold the other end of the tape as John Oliveira and Billy Diniz cross the finish line first.(Bottom row, right) Ashley Dusoe helps herself to some fresh fruit at the end of the heart-healthy event.