About Charity Walks
Charity walks are a great way for people of all ages, sizes and fitness levels to get moving for what they believe in. The reasons for walks are as numerous as the causes that they support. All major cities across the country--and many countries around the globe--now host charity walks several times a year.
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Function
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By signing up, walkers commit to raising a certain amount of money for an organization by asking friends, family and co-workers to sponsor them on the walk, usually asking for a dollar per every mile walked. The money is given up front to the walker or the charity itself, and the walker then walks each mile that has been sponsored on the day of the walk. Charity walks are usually not seen as big races, and most walkers are encouraged to walk at their own pace.
Types
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Some charity walks span just a mile, while some go on for days or even weeks. The 3-Day Walk is a charity walk that spans 60 miles in 3 days. It's recommended, however, that you start by taking on an easier race as you begin your charity walk journey. A successfully completely small walk is much better than a long one that wasn't completed.
A charity walk is typically done for a non-profit organization, but sometimes charity walks can done for individuals who experienced a severe crisis, like a child from a poor family who is injured. Walks sometimes come up by concerned citizens who want to help someone out in extremely dire circumstances. Other walks benefit churches and other organizations. -
Significance
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A very important, groundbreaking charity walk occurred in Spring 2008. Olivia Newton-John and many others walked the Great Wall of China to raise money for a cancer hospital and wellness center that will bear her name in Australia. Joan Rivers, Sir Cliff Richard, Amy Sky, John Lazarou, Adam Sutton and many other celebrities all joined Olivia Newton-John. That walk raised over $2 million (see Resources below).
Benefits
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A charity walk has the obvious benefit of raising much-needed funds for a non-profit organization. However, the benefits expand far beyond that. The press and publicity that a walk gets often helps put a non-profit organization on the map. Those who had never heard of a certain animal rights organization may suddenly want to help or volunteer for the cause. The walkers themselves receive the benefits that come with increased physical fitness and the feeling of doing something good. A charity walk often inspires someone to be a regular volunteer after the walking has been completed.
Warning
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It's important that participants in charity walks keep the purpose of the walk in mind. Sometimes a walker will train and get excited about the glory of the physical achievement of a long walk or marathon, yet neglect raising any money for the cause. The entire purpose of a charity walk is to help the charity in need.
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