More than 400 people took part in the Reston Town Center Help the Homeless walk this year. Photo by Reena Singh.
Just minutes before the third annual Help the Homeless walk, Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson kept tearing up as she looked at the crowd around her in Reston Town Center.
More than 400 people showed up during their lunch break to raise money for Cornerstones by walking from Reston Town Center to the nearest shelter on Oct. 2.
“What an opportunity to recognize the homelessness right here in our community,” she said. “When you have a shelter half a mile away, many realize just how much need is around us.”
The walk was $25 to join. Wilson said the money raised will mostly go towards the nonprofit’s rapid rehousing program.
“The economic recovery is slow in our community, and this is to bridge the gap and get those people back on their feet,” she said.
She noted that in the past three months, 25 families and 15 individuals moved into a home thanks to the Cornerstones’ rehousing program.
“I want to let each and every one of you know that you are changing a life today,” she said to the participants.
Three years ago, the idea of the walk came from May Bernhardt, owner of Mayflowers. Today, she still helps to organize the annual event.
“It’s my passion to help people who don’t have shelter,” she said. “People should help everyone and be a part of the community. Everyone deserves a home and food.”
Supervisor John Foust showed his support before the event. Additionally, Del. Ken Plum and Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins spoke to the crowd before the walkers took to the streets.
“We’re going to beat homelessness,” said Plum.
Wilson said L3 had the most participants from their company at the event with more than 250 registered employees. Leidos came in second place with 65 people participating. In third was Microsoft.
“It’s a good cause, and there was a lot of promotion within the company to be a part of the walk,” said Tim Wong, L3 employee.
Many of the registered participants received bright umbrellas with a giant flower printed on it, courtesy of May, to raise awareness about the walk to other people in Reston Town Center.
Kerry Oldfield, Fidelity Investments Branch Manager, said the branch has been supporting Cornerstones since they moved to Reston Town Center.
“I’m amazed by the number of people in poverty that others don’t realize are so close to the town center,” he said. “I think it is a bigger problem than people let on.”