If you and some of your friends want to take part in the N.H. Association for the Blind’s upcoming 3K Walk for Sight, it would actually be rather fitting – because the event began 12 years ago as more of a pursuit of buddies than moneys.
“What we’ve said in the last couple of years is that it started off as a friendraiser, and it turned into a fundraiser,” said Mary Chase, event coordinator and development manager at the Association. “It’s our biggest event of the year.”
The walk raised more than $92,000 last year and has brought in more than $573,000 in the 11 years it’s been held, meaning the association should top the $600,000 mark by the time the first step is taken this year.
That first step will be June 6 at 11 a.m. The walk will begin at 25 Walker St., with check-in at 10 a.m. To register, visit sightcenter.org.
If you don’t register beforehand, don’t worry (we’re slackers sometimes, too) – walk-ups are welcome, though there is no guarantee of receiving a T-shirt.
There’s plenty of exciting things going on throughout the day, including the addition of an eye screening booth this year thanks to the Souhegan Lions Club that can quickly screen your eyes and provide a printout you can bring to your doctor or other eye care specialist.
“I think people should definitely take advantage of it,” Chase said. “It’s a new machine – it literally takes a minute and you’re done.”
There’s also an eye safety booth and other helpful information, as well as lunch provided by Tandy’s Top Shelf, live music and facepainting and other activities for children.
Between a couple hundred walkers, 110-120 volunteers and 25 staff members, as well as visitors throughout the day, Chase said she expects about 500 people to be involved at some point throughout the afternoon this year.
“Right now it’s like a well-oiled machine because we’ve had a lot of the same people doing it for so long,” Chase said. “Each year we’re able to spread the word to more and more people, and to a lot of people (the walk) is like a reunion. It’s a fun day, but people keep into perspective it’s also a day to raise funds for the organization. It’s quite gratifying to know all the work we’ve put into it really does pay off.”
