In this our third year of walking from Springfield to Greenfield, to raise consciousness and funds in observation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we're proud to report that almost 60 people walked and we raised about $6,000 for domestic violence programs in the Pioneer Valley. Half of those funds will go to support our Moving Forward domestic violence program; the other half will be donated to the five women's programs dedicated to stopping violence against women: the YWCA in Springfield, Womanshelter/Compañeras inHolyoke, Safe Passage in Northampton,, the Everywoman's Center at UMass/Amherst, and NELCWIT in Greenfield.

The Walk started out at City Hall in Springfield under threatening skies on September 29. About 10 of us, including 8-month old Claire in her stroller, walked through commercial and residential areas to Baystate Medical Center, which held a rally in support of the Walk. The rain continued to hold off until we reached our lunch stop at Chicopee City Hall. As the rain picked up we proceeded undaunted, though wet, to our destination for the day, Holyoke City Hall.

The next day was bright in more ways than one: more than 30 people (and two dogs) gathered at Northampton Town Hall to hear music provided by Peterson Productions DJ and hear remarks from MRC executive director Rob Okun and Safe Passage director Marian Kent. We were especially pleased to have representatives walking with us from Northampton Domestic Violence Free Zone (including our board member Yoko Kato), the Amherst College Men's Project, and the Zonta Club of Northampton. Over 20 people completed the Walk in Amherst, where we held a vigil on the Town Common before ending at our offices at 236 North Pleasant Street, greeted with refreshments from our friends at the Everywoman's Center (with special thanks to Henion Bakery for donated goodies!).

On our last day we had another good turnout and great weather, with over a dozen people (and two stroller babies) beginning the walk near Sunderland Town Hall. Greenfield Mayor Christine Forgey and members of her Domestic Violence Task Force greeted us with food and drink as we end the Walk at the Greenfield common.

You can still support the Men's Walk. Our final tally will take place after Thanksgiving, so you can help us raise the total. Contact Gretchen Craig at gcraig@mrcforchange.org or call (413) 253-9887, ext. 16. Or donate on-line by clicking here. Be sure to indicate "Men's Walk" in the Designation section.