Steppingstone, Inc. held its eleventh annual 5K Walk for the Homeless on August 17, 2013, to raise funds for the First Step Inn at 177 North Main Street to enable it to continue to provide emergency shelter for the area's homeless population. This year's event drew dozens of participants and raised over $56,800. "There are forty-eight sponsors that have come to the table this year," noted Steppingstone Executive Director Kathleen Clark. "We have some new sponsors. We have Chris Herren of The Herren Project...and Bristol County Savings Bank who is with us today.." The annual event raises funds to provide counseling, proper nutrition, bedding and other services to help the homeless stay clean, sober and safely sheltered. Click here for a fifteen-minute video of the event. Click here for pictures of the last year's event and here for pictures of the 2011 event. Click here photos from the recent Homeless Connect event at Bristol Community College. .For further information or to make a donation anytime, contact Kathy Clark at 508-674-2788, Ext. 110.  

(Top row) Steppingstone Executive Director Kathy Schedler-Clark welcomes walkers, including Rosa and Frank Medeiros, right. (Row two) Walkers start out from the Steppinstone parking lot and head down North Main Street with Sunny of the BMC HealthNet Plan and Mike Bryant in the lead. (Row three) Walkers head up Durfee Street before stopping to get water from Samara Williams and Cindy Hammond in front of the the Veterans Memorial before heading up Bank Street. (Row four) Walkers pass the Old Durfee High School as runners Scott Costa and Corey Belchair take the lead. (Row five) Jose and Tracey Ramos pass the First Step Inn where the funds raised will be used next winter. (Bottom row) Sally and Mike Bryant listen along with Barry Postock as Kathy announces the total funds raised and celebrate with Steppingstone Finance Director Debra Decosta, Ellen Shea and Kathy's mom, Shirley Schedler, at the end of the event.