"Gratitude" is the theme of the 29th annual COTS Walk, presented by National Life Group, set to kick off at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 6 from Battery Park in Burlington.
The COTS Walk is an engaging family-friendly community event that educates people about homelessness and helps get our community closer to the time and place where no one is homeless. The Walk – COTS' largest single-day fundraiser – is a critical part of the organization's overall fundraising for the year. This year's fundraising event goal is $200,000.
COTS annually serves about 2,400 people (including 855 children) and is the largest provider for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Vermont. The Walk is the one day of the year that the nationally recognized Vermont nonprofit opens its programs to the community so people can see how their donations make a difference.
The Walk is also a great opportunity for students to raise 10 hours of community service. High school students who raise at least $150 and join us for the Walk can earn 10 hours of community service.
There is no minimum fundraising required for participation. However, to earn a COTS Walk T-shirt, designed by local cartoonist Rachel Lindsay, walkers need to raise at least $150 (or $75 for age 12 and younger). For Walkers who elect to go the extra mile by taking the "COTS Walk Challenge" and pledging to raise $1,000, a generous challenge grant will match these donations. Challenge Walkers will receive a COTS Walk T-shirt, water bottle, and special recognition at the COTS annual meeting. (COTS Walkers can take the Challenge as a Team with a goal of raising $2,500 for the match.)
About 2,000 walkers of all ages – from schools, social and religious organizations, businesses and neighborhoods – participate. About 200 volunteers help make it happen, too. The Walk also includes children's activities, face painting, music, and free Ben & Jerry's ice cream for walkers. (A shorter route is available, particularly designed for families with young children.)
For the past few years, COTS has selected a Walk theme that centers around the organization's core values and programs. Last year, the COTS Walk theme was "transformation," as symbolized by the butterfly (in honor COTS' guests' new beginnings and the opening of COTS' newly renovated housing and program space at 95 North Avenue, Burlington).
This year, the COTS Walk focuses on "gratitude" – as in grateful to the community for its kindness and support. COTS marked its 35th anniversary of service to the community on Dec. 24, 2017. This year's COTS Walk is part of COTS' 35th Anniversary celebration.
"Gratitude" is symbolized throughout the COTS Walk by the stone, as in "gratitude stones" for participants to carry and use for reflection, as well as in Cairns along the Walk route to function as "guideposts"). (To help engage children in the COTS Walk, visit www.cotsonline.org or COTS' Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/cotsvt/ to find ideas for books centered around gratitude to read with children, stone-theme arts activities, and much more. Additional books and recommendations on homelessness are available at the COTS Web site: www.cotsonline.org.)
Register online today at www.cotsonline.org or call (802) 864-7402 for more information.
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