[Archived] City of Alexandria Hosts the 10th Annual “A Walk in the Park...Strides for Success” Walkathon

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	April 14, 2006 PIO# 089-06/rdo	Steven J. Mason, Public Information Officer, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

City of Alexandria Hosts the 10th Annual
“A Walk in the Park...Strides for Success” Walkathon

The City of Alexandria will host the 10th annual “A Walk in the Park...Strides for Success” walkathon on Saturday, April 22, at the Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Proceeds from the walkathon will benefit the Project Discovery-Alexandria Program –a college access program for low-income and first-generation students who are college eligible. Registration begins at 8 am and the walk starts at 9 am. The course covers approximately two miles.

Audrey Barnes, a reporter for WUSA’s Channel 9, will be the event’s honorary chair. John Porter, T.C. Williams High School’s principal, will serve as the master of ceremonies, and personal trainer and fitness instructor Steve Alabi of George Mason University will lead walkers through warm-up exercises.

Suggested donations are $15 for adult walkers, $50 for teams of adult walkers, $5 for students, and $20 for teams of student walkers. All participants will receive free goodie bags and T-shirts, and have the opportunity to win prizes. Prizes for adult walkers include gift certificates to the Dandy Restaurant Cruises, local restaurants, such as RT’s, Zig’s, The Warehouse Bar and Grill, and The Wharf, and accommodations at the Sheraton Suites Hotel in Old Town Alexandria. Student walkers can win gift certificates from retail stores, such as Circuit City and Best Buy.

The Project Discovery-Alexandria Program motivates and prepares students for opportunities in higher education. The program, which annually assists 150 students at T. C. Williams High School and the Minnie Howard School, provides participants with information on college admissions and financial aid, and support and encouragement. Ninety-five percent of students from last year’s program continued their education at two or four year colleges or technical schools.

For further information on the walkathon, call Lesa Gilbert at 703.838.0915 or e-mail lesa.gilbert@alexandriava.gov, or visit the City’s Web site at alexandriava.gov.

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