| "Come, Walk With Us! |
ST. GERARD WALKATHON
"Helping Pregnant Girls & Women In Need"
When Kathleen Laplante realized she had a yearning
to help pregnant girls and women in need, she tried
different volunteer activities in her area. None,
however, truly tapped the passion she felt inside.
As she continued to search and wonder about what
she could do, perhaps more independently, a series
of thoughts came to her during her daily walks. “I
should be able to do something with all this walking
of mine, something that goes beyond the gain only I
get for my physical and mental well-being…. Maybe
people would sponsor me to walk across the state, and I could raise money for
pregnant girls and women in need that way.” The thoughts eventually culminated
with the idea of a walkathon, not just for herself, but for the general public as well.
With less than three months to prepare and publicize, Kathleen held the first St.
Gerard Walkathon on June 13, 2004. The walkers trekked five miles and raised
$1049 for Birthright of Hudson-Marlborough, MA and Spring House of Berlin,MA. The
non-profit organizations were grateful to receive the funds. The extra money was
used for their ongoing work to provide informal counseling, maternity clothes,
pregnancy tests, baby clothes, rides to doctor appointments, housing, support in
establishing longer-term financial plans, and much more for expectant mothers in
need. The first walkathon was a success.
The second walkathon was also a success. On June 12, 2005, fifty participants
quadrupled the proceeds and raised $4400 for non-profit organizations helping
pregnant girls and women in need. With support from family, friends, local
businesses, and many community bulletin boards in the Hudson, MA area,
Kathleen is now making the event an annual fundraiser. The name, derived from
the patron saint watching over expectant mothers, will continue to be used.
NOTE: The St. Gerard Walkathon is independent and interdenominational. It is
not affiliated with any political or religious group or movement, or any public agency.
to help pregnant girls and women in need, she tried
different volunteer activities in her area. None,
however, truly tapped the passion she felt inside.
As she continued to search and wonder about what
she could do, perhaps more independently, a series
of thoughts came to her during her daily walks. “I
should be able to do something with all this walking
of mine, something that goes beyond the gain only I
get for my physical and mental well-being…. Maybe
people would sponsor me to walk across the state, and I could raise money for
pregnant girls and women in need that way.” The thoughts eventually culminated
with the idea of a walkathon, not just for herself, but for the general public as well.
With less than three months to prepare and publicize, Kathleen held the first St.
Gerard Walkathon on June 13, 2004. The walkers trekked five miles and raised
$1049 for Birthright of Hudson-Marlborough, MA and Spring House of Berlin,MA. The
non-profit organizations were grateful to receive the funds. The extra money was
used for their ongoing work to provide informal counseling, maternity clothes,
pregnancy tests, baby clothes, rides to doctor appointments, housing, support in
establishing longer-term financial plans, and much more for expectant mothers in
need. The first walkathon was a success.
The second walkathon was also a success. On June 12, 2005, fifty participants
quadrupled the proceeds and raised $4400 for non-profit organizations helping
pregnant girls and women in need. With support from family, friends, local
businesses, and many community bulletin boards in the Hudson, MA area,
Kathleen is now making the event an annual fundraiser. The name, derived from
the patron saint watching over expectant mothers, will continue to be used.
NOTE: The St. Gerard Walkathon is independent and interdenominational. It is
not affiliated with any political or religious group or movement, or any public agency.
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| Copyright © 2006-2008 St. Gerard Walkathon. All Rights Reserved. |
| The St. Gerard Walkathon was founded on the belief that life begins at the moment of conception. It was named after the patron saint of expectant mothers. |
| Click Here For Christmas Time Reflections |
| Kathleen With Her Two Sons |
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| Click Here For Kathleen's Interview w/ National Catholic Register |
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| Click Here For National Catholic Register Newspaper Article |
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