Northumberland County residents and their pets recently put their feet and paws to the pavement in Cobourg to take a stand against family violence.
Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre has announced that its 17th annual “Walk a Mile” fundraiser in downtown Cobourg on October 5 generated more than $55,000 for the Northumberland not-for-profit organization.
“We are beyond thrilled to have seen our community come together once again at Walk a Mile to support women and children impacted by gender-based violence and we are grateful for this year’s results,” said Cornerstone’s executive director Nancy Johnston.
Walk a Mile, a yearly family-friendly event, brings residents together to raise awareness and money in a quest to achieve a future free of gender-based violence.
“We hope that our community feels hope, inspiration, and motivation as we continue our work together to support families in our community and create a place free from gender-based violence,” Cornerstone said.
Many walk participants wear high-heeled red shoes to symbolize walking a mile in the shoes of women affected by gender-based violence.
The money raised from Walk a Mile is channelled into supporting the programming and services Cornerstone provides to women, children, and youth in Northumberland County. Cornerstone provides shelter, counselling, housing, prevention programming, and more to its clients.
Established in 1983, Cornerstone is an accredited violence against women agency striving to end gender-based violence by providing accessible, compassionate programs and services modelled by best practices and aimed at inspiring hope, creating safety, and fostering resilience.
“Cornerstone has helped so many great people in our area,” Preston Parkinson, a Brighton resident, recently told kawarthaNOW.
Parkinson has participated in the walk six times, which includes taking part in this year’s instalment.
“I got involved to help raise awareness and funds to help support Cornerstone and the great people they help every day,” Parkinson said.
Cornerstone provided service to almost 2,000 women, children and youth in 2023.
“We look forward to this event every year, it is a great way to see the community come together to support families,” said Johnston.
She thanked the event’s lead sponsor, Balder Corporation, and other sponsors including Canadian Tire Cobourg, Post Consumer Brands, Spoolon Manufacturing, Cobourg Police Service, Shoppers Cobourg, Wharram Tree Service, Part Time CFO Services, Stadtke Plumbing and Heating, Port Hope Colour Concepts, Cameco, Cobourg Nissan, and Ganaraska Financial.
“Many thanks to the Lions Club of Cobourg for providing breakfast, and to Starbucks Cobourg for providing coffee and baked goods,” Johnston added. “This event wouldn’t run without our group of dedicated volunteers, many thanks to Cobourg Fire, Cobourg Police Service, Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums, and our great volunteer team.”
