40th Benefit Walk sets record

Posted May 4, 2009
The 40th Opportunity Village Benefit Walk on May 3 reached a new record, raising approximately $91,000.  This brings the grand total of all money raised for North Iowans with disabilities to over $1,110,000 in the 40 years of the Walk.

View photos from the 2009 Benefit Walk.

This year's goal was $100,000.  Proceeds will go to help purchase a $250,000 diesel generator for the Village's Activity Center in Clear Lake.  The generator would provide power for all uses at the center in the event of an emergency, for those served at the Village as well as the community.

The number of walkers also was up, with more than 400 walkers participating on either a 10-mile or 3-mile route or the Village fitness trail.  Back at the Village, walkers enjoyed music from the 1960s and 1970s played by the local band "Working Class."  Licensed massage therapist Linda Sabin offered free neck and shoulder massages for the tired walkers arriving back at the Village. 

The first "Youth March for Handicap Village" was held in 1970, before the Village was even built.

Village CEO John Severtson turned in sponsorships totaling $5,700 on Walk day, the highest single amount for a walker.  Former CEO Gary Mrosko came in second, with $5,125.  Paul Hassman, 95, of New Hampton, who has been the top walker for 15 years since 1989, brought in $4,389.

Michael Mahaffey and Virgil Anderson

This year's Benefit Walk Hall of Fame honoree was Virgil Anderson of Clear Lake.  Virgil's first Walk was in 1996, and he has brought in a total of $7,385 over the years.  He always walks the 10-mile route, rain or shine, even in those years when the official Walk had to be cancelled due to snow or lightning.  "I've been blessed by the Village more than the Village has been blessed by me," he said.

The Hall of Fame honors those people who have made a tremendous commitment to the Benefit Walk and Opportunity Village. Past recipients of the Hall of Fame award are Paul Hassman, New Hampton; Ken Wattier, Jane Iverson, Murley Severtson, Jim Ransom, and Dan and Diane Djuren, all of Clear Lake; Mary Mathews, Thompson; Marian Sanders Smith, Alden; Hazel and Ed Chuck, Mason City; Gary Mrosko, Faribault, MN; Tammy Rodningen, Clear Lake; and Dan Peterson, Ventura.

"The Proclaimers" raised the most money among the Village staff teams, coming in with $25,721 by Sunday.  Other staff teams included the Fine Nine, Volkswalkers, Heart n Sole, and We Care. 

Opportunity Village serves more than 530 individuals in North Iowa, providing training and support to help them live as independently as possible.  The Walk is held every year on the first Sunday in May.  Join us next year!