The 2017 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, held in six locations across Pennsylvania and Delaware, helped 214 local non-profit organizations raise a record-breaking $1.46 million.
This marks the sixth consecutive year that the walks in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Johnstown, Erie and the Lehigh Valley, Pa. and Wilmington have generated more than $1 million and brings the 15-year fundraising total for the walks to more than $12 million.
“Since 2003, the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community has helped more than 400 local nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania and Delaware fulfill their missions and build stronger, healthier communities,” said Evan Frazier, senior vice president of community affairs, Highmark Health. “Many of these outstanding organizations have never had the opportunity, staff or other resources to hold a major fundraising event of their own, and we are so proud that we can help contribute to their development efforts.”
Highmark’s Walk for Healthy Community events, held during May and June, provide a yearly opportunity for the community to support participating local non-profits. The primary goal of the walks, which includes both a 5K (3.1-mile) route and a one-mile fun walk option, is to help charitable health and human service organizations raise money for their individual missions. Highmark underwrites all of the costs associated with the walks, so 100 percent of funds raised by community members are donated to the charity they select.
The Wilmington walk, held June 3, raised a record-breaking $158,900 for 23 nonprofits with the participation of 1,300 walkers. The top three fundraising non-profits are:
- Friendship House, Inc.: $42,400
- Read Aloud Delaware: $16,400
- Rodney Street Tennis & Tutoring Association: $14,400
Organizations and walkers interested in learning more about the Highmark walks should visit the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community’s website. Nonprofit organizations that want to be part of the 2018 walk in their region should apply online by July 31, 2017.
