A 'Walk For Homes' To Help Flood Victims Get Back In Their Homes

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — The Fuller Center of Greater New York will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its annual "Walk for Homes" fundraising event on Sunday, but never in the last few decades have the organization's particular needs been quite so urgent.

As cold weather begins so settle on the Sound Shore, the New Rochelle-based chapter of the group dedicated to helping lift families out of poverty with affordable housing, is feeling the pressure to get families displaced by recent flooding from Post-Tropical Cyclone Ida back in homes of their own. Sunday's walk will help to support those efforts.

"The Fuller Center continues to work on so many homes and in our 'Home for the holidays' campaign," Fuller Center CEO Jim Killoran told Patch. "We are trying to get as many families back in for the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and we are working seven days a week doing it."

Killoran said while the focus of this year's walk is on the emergency efforts in response to Ida, Fuller Center volunteers are continuing the work of building new affordable homes as well. He said making those homes flood-resistant is a priority. The organization has even won awards for building flood-fortified homes in the area that withstood the recent deluges intact.

This fall's Walk for Homes in being organized in conjunction with St. Augustine Church in Larchmont. The event, supported with sponsorship from Apple Bank and Clarke Auction, will take place Nov. 7, at 1 p.m at Presidential Park (111 Larchmont Ave. in Larchmont).

The two-mile walk is planned as more of a pleasant stroll starting at the gazebo and back again. The walkers will then retire to the church basement to swap war stories and compare pledge totals.

Those hoping to support the Fuller Center's work don't necessary need callused feet to help out — there are a number of other ways to contribute. Cyclists, young and old, will ride the route prior to the walk and it's easy to sponsor those who are completing the circuit, by simply texting "WEBUILD" to 44-321.

Hats, t-shirts and other fun swag will be available for those who donate, volunteer or walk, but the satisfaction of helping rebuild a community is truly a one-size-fits-all prospect.

SEE ALSO: Fuller Center Races To Help Ida Families Before Cold Weather

To join the fun for a good cause just send a text to 914-406-3357 or email jim@fullercenterny.org.