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StepALIVE! Virtual Walkathon Raises Nearly $70K

ALIVE! exceeded its fundraising goal for its first-ever virtual walkathon earlier this month, and came within striking distance of what the nonprofit usually raises for what has traditionally been an in-person event.

The StepALIVE! Walkathon exceeded its $60,000 goal by raising $69,690. Individuals or teams walked five miles at the leisure anytime between September 11-13, and for the first time the 39th annual event was held virtually. The event usually raises $80,000.

“We were very pleased and we were a little bit surprised because we had no idea what to expect,” ALIVE! Executive Director Jennifer Ayers told ALXnow. “I think people really wanted a way to participate in something in a different kind of way.”

Proceeds from the event will go toward support ALIVE!’s family assistance program, which helps families pay for rent and other bills.

Ayers said that the nonprofit is currently looking at how to engage the public with more virtual events.

“Thanks again to the Alexandria community,” Ayers said. “We’ve seen our support growing, which means a lot because our need is growing. We are just continuing to see our numbers of people in need rise, and all of the support that we received helps us do what we do every day, including provide rent for people in need.”

https://www.facebook.com/alive4alexandria/photos/a.398854326802149/3546446985376185/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/alive4alexandria/posts/3553008451386705?__xts__[0]=68.ARC3_NYUfemfQ1BxeKJjUk3uZgeFVbrkV9kiE_BOzYLkZwtouB67AtL8nYNWk3FiIeVNbKC2g_i_HLd39HPuAXS0bR3SWWJSpBhg8OtIz6IYPZyiIFoQXVrtpexifxsEuu5WtFSOd_hiVwoyajX0CWk3ZsraLY0OzaQKiLLJaSE7MWdGs9I8uwcJimICWGN2I5pX2vmy1r1lTR7h3UYHx89Brw5p4yyn2brhXbePcaLIvONf0mL_oRF2JmJ-9Sla6mQXms3aPJEk4kKXVwhktnDr2lnwPxNBv-EAlDoQiWt2qcgWCJwKUPbbOKubO1X2fF-O6H0TSS1oxSASsipoNg&__tn__=-R

Image via ALIVE!/Facebook

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.