Buffalo Students Raise $6,000 in Annual Walk-A-Thon for Charity

Students at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts have demonstrated their commitment to community service through an annual event known as the Walk-A-Thon, which celebrated its 15th year this week. The event not only raises funds but also instills in students the importance of giving back and making a difference in the lives of others.

Prior to the Walk-A-Thon, students actively engaged in fundraising efforts, collecting donations to support various causes. On the day of the event, they walked from their school on Masten Avenue to the Rose Garden at Delaware Park and back, reinforcing their connection to the local community.

Jody Covington, the school principal, emphasized the dual purpose of the Walk-A-Thon. “The purpose for our Walk-A-Thons every year is to raise money and awareness for the arts but also to establish in the hearts and minds of our students the importance of giving back to the community,” Covington stated. She highlighted the school’s commitment to developing both the academic and emotional growth of its students.

This year’s Walk-A-Thon successfully raised $6,000, with $3,000 allocated to Family Promise of WNY, an organization dedicated to assisting families facing homelessness. Covington pointed out the significance of this partnership, stating, “Homelessness is something that impacts folks from all walks of life, and it’s something that we’re learning just through our partnership with the Family Promise Center.”

According to Luanne Firestone, the executive director of Family Promise of WNY, the organization has been serving local families for around 30 years. She noted that over 200 families in Erie County require emergency housing on any given night. Firestone elaborated on the challenges posed by funding cuts from the federal government, which have led to a destabilization of community support systems, affecting essential services like childcare and housing assistance.

“Homelessness right now, I think people can see that it’s in the public more than ever,” Firestone remarked. She highlighted that approximately 75% of the individuals served by Family Promise are children, making the involvement of local students particularly impactful.

“We love it when children in the community step up to help kids in need,” Firestone added. “The kids that we serve are in every school district, every school system here, they’re in every school. So you might not know that your classmate sitting next to you might be experiencing homelessness or experiencing a housing insecurity program.”

The Walk-A-Thon not only raised vital funds but also fostered a sense of community and awareness among students about the importance of supporting their peers. “It’s really important that we all come together to say that kids deserve that — all of our attention and love and support,” Firestone concluded.

For those interested in supporting Family Promise of WNY, more information is available on their official website. The successful event illustrates how students can take initiative and impact their community positively, reinforcing the notion that even small actions can lead to significant change.