Walk for Walker Planned for Sept. 12

In celebration of its 50th anniversary of serving children and families, Walker School will hold the "Change Shoes, Change Lives" Walk for Walker on Sunday, September 12.

The start and finish will be at DeFazio Park with registration starting at 11 a.m. Walkers are welcome to start between 11 a.m. and noon. This family-friendly event will include a 3-mile walk through downtown Needham, a shorter one-mile route for those who prefer a shorter walk, and a fun-filled celebration at the finish line.

Walker's 50th birthday will be celebrated with cake and ice cream, as well as fun activities, games, and a raffle at DeFazio Park. The finale celebration ends at 2 p.m. All are welcome and pre-registration is not required.

Walker was founded in the fall of 1960 in Needham to address the needs of young children with severe emotional and behavioral problems. For five decades, Walker has remained a national leader in special education, residential treatment for children, and community-based support services for struggling families.

Support for the Walk For Walker from local business and organizations has been strong, with Intex Solutions, Inc., McKay Architects, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, ProActive Community, Scribe Technologies, Pete and De Simone, The Thorndike Family, and United Benefit Services all providing lead sponsorships. Also sponsoring the event are The Barrett Family, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Needham, Middlesex Savings Bank, Olin College, Parent Talk Needham and Rogers, Suleski & Associates.

Along with co-chairs Sue McKay and Marsha Shorthose, the Walk committee includes the following Needham and local residents: Betty Cantor, Heather Hagen, Deb Jacob, Gloria Joyce, Cathy McKay, Jamie McKay, Tracilee Messina, Maureen Neelon, Lisa Niden, Katie Rutter, Jennie Shaw, Andrea Shorthose, and Laurie Zallen.

For more information about the Walk For Walker, visit www.walkerschool.org or call Amy Perna at 781-292-2110.