HWN Celebrates Third Annual 5k Walk Organized in Atlanta

The third annual 5K walk organized by the Hindu Women’s Network (HWN) was held on October 20th this year. As in previous years, the venue was Webb Bridge Park in Alpharetta Georgia. This is part of the activities that The Atlanta Chapter organizes to celebrate Hindu Heritage Month. The walk this year was to raise funds for the Drake House a women and children’s shelter in Georgia.

The brisk fall day with beautiful blue skies and a chill in the air provided the perfect backdrop for walkers and runners of all ages. Teenagers, and adults participated in the event with some early birds choosing to start their morning running through the trail. The trail though unpaved is an easy one that is laid in a 1.1 mile loop around some small bodies of water and woods. Deer have been known to make their presence felt especially early in the day.

The first runners started off the event at 8 AM and the whole event wrapped up by 11:30 AM. Volunteers had marked the track very clearly and were on hand guiding those who were not familiar with the trail. It was great fun as participants banded into groups and motivated each other to complete the 5K with three loops around the trail.

Volunteers had prepared a hot breakfast and chai for all, with cereal bar, fruits and water for those who chose to grab them to go. Each registered participant got a T-Shirt which was designed specifically for this year. 

The local chapter will donate half the money raised to Drake House and use the rest to defray the expenses. This outreach helps those who are vested in donating to causes that benefit the local community to participate and become part of the local chapter. 

Park visitors who were curious stopped by to talk to volunteers about the activities we undertake and to learn more about the organization. A number of them expressed interest in joining future events and provided their contact information.

The walk achieved its purpose of fundraising but more than that it brought visibility to newer people in the area who had not heard about HWN and generated interest which will translate into more outreach and participation from the local community.

We would like to recognize the local chapter volunteers for their dedicated support and tireless efforts to make this event happen year over year as we gain momentum. We have come a long way, but we also have a long way to go to make this event a larger and more popular one.