Walkathons become popular way for students to raise money for charities

By PAULA KNUDSEN
Collegian Staff Writer

A mob of mirthful walkers in multi-colored T-shirts clogs the street on a warm afternoon in State College.

It is not another protest. The season of walkathon fund-raising has arrived again.

Angela Troutman, community director of the Keystone Division March of Dimes, said walkathons are usually held in the spring.

"People have been cooped up all winter and it's a good time for them to get out and enjoy the spring weather," Troutman said.

Service Vice President Beth Schubert of Gamma Sigma Sigma, 206 HUB, said she and other members of her service fraternity will walk for charity this spring.

"It's an easy thing for us to do to help raise money for different organizations," said Schubert (junior-chemical engineering).

Georgi Kaufman, director of the Centre-Juniata Valley Divison of the American Lung Association, said students should hike because it shows support for their community.

"Students are high spirited and would build morale," she said.

Finding a walkathon to get involved with does not always mean participating in a national event. The State College area has its fund-raising walkathons.

The walkathon for the Centre County Women's Resource Center is titled "Changing Tomorrow Step by Step." The 10-kilometer walk will raise money for general operations to cover losses in funding.

Emily Rank (junior-political science), the walkathon's co-chair, said she hopes that the money raised can be used for a 24-hour sexual assault hotline and to support the women's shelter.

Maren Larson (graduate-counselor education) volunteers at the center.

"(The center) is a great idea because it's a very valuable community resource. There are people who need help and if there isn't enough funding they won't get help," Larson said.

Walking to increase general funds might suit some people, but others are looking for a cause that shows immediate results.

Suzanne Nunemacher (junior-finance) will be walking in House Walk '95.

"I like the idea that they do something concrete in the community. It's not like sending $10 to save the rainforest," she said.

House Walk '95 is the fund raiser for Tri-County Habitat for Humanity. Walkers will attempt to raise $22,000 to build a home for an area family. The family has four children and is currently living in a two bedroom trailer.

Local versions of national events will also be available for interested walkers this spring.

The annual Multiple Sclerosis Walk, sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, will be held April 23 in eight different sites in central Pennsylvania. The closest walk will be in Williamsport.

Kerry L. Wevodau, walk coordinator, said she expects 3,900 walkers. She hopes that this year's "solemate" program will encourage more people to walk. The sole-mate program matches walkers with a citizen in the area who has multiple sclerosis. The walker receives information about that person and dedicates the walk to him or her.

"It's a way to bring clients and walkers together," Wevodau said.

The March of Dimes Keystone Division also sponsors a version of a national event, WalkAmerica. Like the MS Walk, walkers will collect pledges from sponsors. Centre County walkers are expected to collect $47,000 in the walk this year.

Walking, however, is not the only activity that will be used to collect pledges this spring. Hiking is also used to secure monetary pledges.

Hike for Health is the American Lung Association's contribution to spring fund-raising efforts. The five-mile hike takes place at Fisherman's Paradise in Bellefonte.

Proceeds from the hike will finance a variety of programs including educational programs for asthmatic adults and children, support groups, stop smoking clinics and camps for children with asthma.

Kaufman said she expects 200 participants -- one quarter of which should be students.

Paula Mekenney (senior-sociology) will be participating in a walkathon this spring.

"Everyone can use the exercise. It's fairly simple to get involved," she said.

Sue Smith, a consultant for Habitat for Humanity, said walkathon fund-raisers succeed because of smaller donations from people across the community.

"It's grassroots support," she said.