SIDE STREETS: Benefit walks, runs start blossoming in spring
Spring is a time when people emerge from their homes and go for a walk or jog in neighborhood parks. More and more often, they're wearing numbers on their backs and exercising with a purpose because spring is the start of the community walk-a-thon season.
Fundraising walks and races are a growing trend - the events generated $1.76 billion for charities last year, according to the New York-based Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council.
They range from nationally coordinated events that raise millions, like the Walk to Defeat ALS, to small, Springs-only fundraisers for area nonprofits.
Among the first of the season is a 5K Walk and Run scheduled for Saturday morning at America the Beautiful Park. Hundreds are expected to raise money for the Alpine Autism Center in Colorado Springs. It's part of Autism Awareness Month and, unlike national events, all the money stays here.
Many more events will come.
Why walk or jog for charity? Experts say the events reach a wider audience than typical donation appeals.
"This is all about donor motivation and marketing," said Enid Ablowitz, vice president for strategic philanthropy at the University of Colorado Foundation in Boulder. "When you have a walk-a-thon or run-a-thon, you have two ways to market. You market the cause and you market the activity.
"You reach people who love the organization's mission. Other people absolutely love races and walk-a-thons. They love the activity and, oh, by the way, it's for a good cause. They may even learn something about the organization by participating."
That's what organizers of Saturday's autism awareness walk are hoping.
"Our biggest fundraiser is a golf tournament every year in late August," said Julie Cook, a member of the board of the nonprofit Alpine Autism Center, which opened in 2005 to provide treatment for area individuals and families affected by autism. (Learn more about it at my Side Streets blog.)
Last year, the golf tournament and walk-a-thon raised $86,000, which was used to subsidize the center's operations and 15-member staff.
"The golf tournament is great, but we wanted to appeal to a broader base and do something that everyone can do and includes families," Cook said. "And we wanted to coordinate the event with Autism Awareness Month in April. So last year we decided to try a walk. We had about 300 people. It was great."
Like many events, the autism walk/run will feature booths where visitors can learn about autism, a neuro-biological disorder that affects social interaction. They will also learn about options for treatments - medical and behavioral.
So stretch those legs, select your favorite charity, put on a number and get walking. Like they say, it's for a good cause.
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