243 people registered to participate in Good Shepherd Alliance's 5th annual 1.2 mile Walk for Shelter through historic Leesburg.
Photo Marinda P. Wong
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GSA Walk for Homeless has Record Turnout
"We love because He first loved us.” [1 John 4:19]
Common Ground Church becomes GSA’s New Partner in Ministry.
Call GSA Office at 703-724-1555
GSA web site is @ loudounhomeless.org
Praise God for a glorious day for the Good Shepherd Alliance (GSA) Walkathon. The 5th Annual Homeless Walk for Shelter through historic Leesburg, Virginia took place on Saturday, September 19th. The event was hosted by GSA to raise funds to shelter homeless people. The walk started at 10:00 AM at the Douglass School Pavilion on the corner of Sycolin Road and East Market Street. The 1.2 mile walk continued west on East Market to Loudoun Street, then on to King Street, through historic Leesburg, back to East Market, with a stop for a photo opportunity in front of the Loudoun Times Mirror, the oldest continuously running paper in the state (established 1798). Then it continued over to Harrison Street past the Government Building and back to the Douglass School.
243 people walked to include many children and teens. $7,500.00 was raised for homeless programs and services and to foster volunteerism in service to homeless people. Previous walks drew 61, 35, 120 and 138 registered walkers in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. State Delegate Dave Poisson, his legislative aide Sandy Martinez and Bob Ohneiser, GSA Board Member and Broad Run School Board Representative participated in the walk.
Walk for Shelter Begins Photo - David-Madison.com
A special thanks to Terri Lightle, Director of Administration and Community Relations for her relentless efforts in getting the registration process together and organizing the volunteers and staff who were of tremendous help.
GSA Executive Director, Vickie Koth provided the crowd with a pre-walk opening statement. Koth said, "Praise the Lord for such a beautiful day and thank everyone for attending and thank our sponsors INOVA, ROCK Creek Properties, TD Bank and Common Ground Church." She gave an overview of the GSA programs, emergency and transitional housing, community outreach and the need for monetary and material donations to support the indigent and homeless population. Koth recognized the great community support and willingness to step forward to volunteer and contribute food and supplies every week. However the GSA has a great need for financial sponsors, even as little as $5 per month does make a difference when many can participate.
Dave Norman, GSA Board Member and Senior Pastor Crossroads United Methodist Church in Ashburn provided the prayer and blessing. Pastor prayed for all our small steps taken would lead to larger steps toward helping the homeless tomorrow. He believed that each walker might be a voice for those whose voices are rarely heard.
The event had several special features as INOVA provided a medical health tent with INOVA representatives on site at the Douglass School pavilion. INOVA offered homeless walkers free screenings for blood pressure and body mass index and many walkers took advantage of the service. Common Ground Church transported and installed the moon bounces, sound system and donated and served a wonderful lunch for a ton of people. The congregation was an indescribable asset and GSA's new partner in ministry.
Huge Crowd at Douglass School - photo David-Madison.com
The temperature was a cool 63 degrees during pre registration and check-in. But the morning warmed up fast and the 1.2 mile walk experienced twice the crowd size from last year as the large contingent snaked its way through the long avenues and then into the beautiful historic district on King Street. Three volunteer photographers, David Madison, Fernando Hernandez and Marinda P. Wong were on hand to capture these precious moments in time. Many grandparents, parents and children walked with GSA board members and staff. Parents said that the walk provided an educational experience that raised awareness about homelessness. The youth especially gained appreciation for the many blessings provided by their own families.
GSA recently celebrated the Dedication of Peace House in July. Peace House in North Leesburg is the GSA's fourth shelter and second transitional home. The home has been designated exclusively for single women transitioning from homeless shelters to living on their own.
GSA is proud of its cooperative relationship with the Leesburg Town Government. GSA is grateful to the Leesburg Town Council, Leesburg Police and Parks and Recreation for their cooperation and coordination of this event.
Babies Galore at GSA Walk for Shelter - photo Marinda P. Wong
GSA needs the continuous support from our dynamic business community to supply much needed materials, services and funding to maintain and upgrade our facilities. GSA strongly believes that assisting those less fortunate with their most basic needs fosters hope and goodwill among our diverse and fast growing community.
The Good Shepherd Alliance maintains offices on Ashburn Road in Ashburn Village, family shelters in Arcola and North Leesburg, a house for homeless pregnant women in Purcellville and three thrift stores.
To whom much is given, of him much is expected. [Luke 12:48]
We are a community of plenty and much is expected of us. Please come and walk with us next year on September 18, 2010 for our 6th Annual Walkathon. Please visit our Website for the upcoming "Heart of Gold" benefit concert scheduled for November 14th, 2009.
The following churches and organizations walked with GSA on September 19th.Common Ground Church
Community Lutheran Church
Christ Community Church
Cross Current Ministries
Daybreak Community Church
Delta Mime Team
Dranesville Church of the Brethren – Great Falls
Greek Orthodox Parish of Loudoun County
INOVA Hospital
LINK Food Bank
Mclean Bible Church
Nova Youth Flag Football League
Purcellville Baptist Church
St. Matthews Church
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