A Walk to Remember!

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May 1st marked the 8th annual Children’s Friend Walk Sponsored by Panera Bread- and what an amazing day it was! Children’s Friend supporters, clients, staff, families, and friends- over 1,000 people in total- gathered to support the agency and its important work with Rhode Island’s most vulnerable children. It also happened to be an incredibly fun day!

Patrice Wood, from NBC 10 WJAR was the emcee for the event, and Providence Councilman John Igliozzi was on hand to announce the newly approved lease the city provided to Children’s Friend for a Head Start site in the Silver Lake section of the city.

Panera Bread, sponsor of the Walk, presented the agency with a check for over $49,000 in addition to providing breakfast and lunch for all attendees. In total, the event raised over $100,000! Panera Bread’s donation, contributions from walkers and sponsors, and the over 1,000 participants were all new records for the event.

Again, it was an amazing day!

Children enjoyed the kids’ race around the carousel and the winner was presented a trophy by a special guest, Alan Shawn Feinstein.  A face painting, and paint-your-own t-shirt area were offered by Children’s Friend staff and volunteers. Event sponsor Panera Bread provided a decorate-your-own cookie station for the kids. It was a huge hit! Under the tents from Cat Country 98.1 WCTK, the children painted their own visors, received temporary tattoos, and challenged each other to make the largest bubble!
 
The RI Ninjitsu Center demonstrated their skill to music provided by DJs Ramos and Vargas. Music One RI, a group of students from the Met School in Providence entertained the crowd with a variety of diverse musical numbers. Mat the Magician wowed children and adults alike with his tricks and skill.

Children climbed on the YMCA’s “Y on the Move” inflatable obstacle course, visited the smoke trailer from Providence Fire Prevention, enjoyed visits with Snoopy (courtesy of MetLife Auto & Home), Jake the Cat from Cat Country, Sparky the Fire Dog, and Paws from the PawSox.

Event sponsor Panera Bread provided for all participants both a delicious breakfast of bagel sticks, cream cheese, and coffee, as well as an amazing lunch of sandwiches, salads, chips, cookies, and beverages.  There were also delicious pizza from our friends at Pizza Pie-er and tasty snacks from Whole Foods Market.  Beverages were donated by Target, Pepsi Bottling Group, and Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

All the funds raised go directly to the programs that support young children at risk and their families.