It was a beautiful fall day for the 22nd annual Paces for Faces Walk and Family Picnic! More than 400 participants attended, most completing the 3.5 mile walk around Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield. Over $63,000 was raised by the event, primarily by the walkers who performed the hard work of soliciting donations. The balance came from those who participated in the raffle and purchased FFC merchandise on the day of the walk. These funds will be used to further FFC’s educational outreach through free publications, videos, informational programs, the Foundation’s website and the annual student scholarship awards.
At check-in, FFC families greeted friends from past years, mingled and enjoyed coffee, cocoa
and donuts provided by Erik Lania and Dunkin Donuts. Children were entertained with face painting, temporary tattoos, and balloon creations. Our red-carpet “photo booth” for team photos was a hit again this year. As walkers finished the route, they were greeted at the tent by some lively strolling entertainment including juggling, hula hooping, stilt-walking and more balloon creations. A delicious lunch was provided in part by Roche Bros, and a beautiful cake by D’Amici’s Bakery. For the seventh year, FFC recognized “Smile Striders,” those individuals who raised $750 online by September 14.
They were set apart in bright yellow t-shirts to feature their successful fund-raising work. Our deep gratitude goes to each of this year’s Smile Striders: Peter Barden, Bridget Burke, Lacey Clericuzio, Norah Costigan, Jackie Dolan, Eliana Dormitzer, Maya Gray, Kate Greiner, Niko Joakim, Nicole Kowalsick, Emma Malayandy, Abby McGillivray, Corinne Miller, Milton Rogers, Dr. Stephen Shusterman, Gabriel Therrien, Dhruv Trivedi, Paul Ward and Michael Yorba.
To our dedicated walk committee, and to those of you who worked on tent set up, registration, food, raffle, merchandise, and children’s activities, we extend our deepest thanks! This year’s hard-working walk committee was lead by chairperson Olivia Oppel, and included FFC Vice-President Ann-Marie Rogers, Monir Sakha, Liz O’Keefe, Jennifer Dodwell, Kara Jackman, Claire Barden, Ursula Costigan, Tara Greiner and Helen Ng – with generous support from many others!
Thank you to the FFC Board of Directors and the 27 additional volunteers who donated their time to ensure the walk’s success. Many thanks to the individuals, families and businesses who donated prizes for this year’s raffle, which raised over $1,600. And finally, a special thank you to Roche Brothers, Dunkin’ Donuts and D’Amici’s Bakery for their donations again this year.
If you are interested in serving on next year’s walk committee or volunteering to help the day of the walk, let us know. You can email us at walk@facesofchildren.org or call us at 617-355-8299. We’re looking forward to seeing you all next year!
Photos from the 2018 Paces for Faces Walk are posted in our NEW Photo Gallery! See if you can find photos of your family or friends that you know!! It’s under “News + Events” on the main menu bar.