A Women’s Pregnancy Center will host its 19th annual Walk for Life at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum on Saturday.
According to Jamie Brown, executive director of AWPC, this walk raises one-third of the center’s annual budget.
“This money will help us to provide resources so that we can offer free services to our clients,” Brown said. “We offer things like free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, counseling on pregnancy options and material assistance to women who will parent their babies.”
The goal for this year’s walk is $150,000. As of Tuesday, the center has raised 30 percent of that goal.
The main outlet for donating funds to the walk is operated through a donation page created by Fundeasy.
“Fundeasy provides a platform for fundraising for events,” said Crystal Velte, a sales representative. “The organization creates an event and then their participants are able to donate. Each registrant can connect to social media and email the page around to garner funds.”
This year’s walk is set to be the largest in terms of funds raised and participants. Brown said that compared to last year’s 200 sponsored walkers, the center is hoping to see 400 sponsored walkers this year.
A new feature in this year’s walk is the various prizes for money raised. For $200, a patron will receive a T-shirt. For $400, a patron will receive a T-shirt and a ride in a tethered hot air balloon, as long as weather permits.
Other prizes for higher donations include a backpack/cooler, a Dell tablet and an invitation to Jamie’s Life Saver Supper Club.
Rachelle St. Jean, a fourth-year exercise science student at Florida State University from Miami, is excited about the event and its change of scenery.
“When I participated last year, I enjoyed the gardens, but it was overly crowded for my liking,” St. Jean said. “I’ve been to the museum before, and I think the space will be a lot better for the walk.”
On Saturday morning, walkers will participate in a two-mile walk. Those who opt not to walk can enjoy a variety of family activities on site and support those walking.Registration for the free walk will open at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will begin 9 a.m.