Benefit Walk still growing

Posted May 3, 2010

The 41st Opportunity Village Benefit Walk on May 2, 2010, reached a new record, raising $102,000 as estimated on Walk day. (Latest total surpasses $104,600.)

This year's goal was $100,000. Proceeds will help support Village services to more than 600 individuals with disabilities in North Iowa.

The Village also met its goal of collecting Benefit Walk gifts from all 50 states.

Approximately 300 walkers participated, walking either 10 miles, 3 miles, or the Village trail.

Top walker was Paul Hassman, 96, of New Hampton, who brought in the most money in sponsorships for 15 of the years since he started walking in 1989. Hassman's total was $4,517.

Here's Paul and his family (at left) walking along the seawall in Clear Lake.

This year's Benefit Walk Hall of Fame honoree was Barb Ewer of Clear Lake. Ewer has brought in almost $11,000 since she started raising sponsorships in 2006. More importantly, she has rallied and organized fellow employees at the Village to raise record amounts in support of the mission they work for.

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; Dan Peterson, Ventura; and Virgil Anderson, Clear Lake.

"The Proclaimers" raised the most money among the Village staff teams, coming in with $22,890.

The Walk is held every year on the first Sunday in May. Thanks to all who walked, sponsored, and volunteered in support of the Village mission!

Check out photos taken at the Walk by George Van den Heuvel and John Severtson.
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