LoveLight, Inc. and Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in partnership with Kent State’s Department of Pan-African Studies, will sponsor the first Walk for the Children on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. The 7K walk, will begin at the Student Green, circle through downtown Kent and end at the Student Green.
All funds raised from the walk will go to LoveLight, Inc. to expand on the programs that it offers to the community. Betsy Justice, Ph.D., executive director at LoveLight, and adjunct professor at Kent State, says, “The donations received will allow us to continue important programs that benefit not only the Kent community, but Kent State students as well.”
LoveLight offers many community programs in the Kent area including an annual Summer Lunch Program, Professional Learning Academy and Tutoring Plus program. This past summer, LoveLight handed out more than 4,000 lunches to needy people in the Kent community.
LoveLight is looking for volunteers to help out with the walk. Other than participating in the walk, some ways to volunteer include recruiting walkers, helping with publicity and assisting on the day of the walk, as well as helping out with other LoveLight programs. LoveLight is a volunteer-based organization, and in the past, Kent State students have assisted in the success of its programs.
Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will offer a friendly challenge to see which participating group can raise the most money at the walk with the winner receiving a trophy. Participation in the walk is free, and registration is not required.
Participants can pick up pledge sheets from Cinnamon Small, outreach coordinator for Kent State’s Department of Pan-African Studies, or Huzziel Soto, president of Kent State’s chapter of Phi Iota Theta. After filling out a waiver, participants ask people to sponsor them, which is how money is being raised.
LoveLight has set a goal of $10,000 and is encouraging walkers to set a personal goal of raising $100.
For more information about the Walk for the Children or about LoveLight, Inc., contact Justice at 330-673-5839 or lkjusti1@kent.edu.