Every year on the first Sunday morning in May, hundreds of people with a spring in their step participate in the Walk for Life, which will be held next month at three locations simultaneously. For the 19th year, attendees may go to the Alexandria location at Fort Hunt Park. For the fifth year they may participate at Broad Run High School in Ashburn. And for the first time they may walk at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax. Sponsored by diocesan Catholic Charities, the Walk for Life raises money for Children’s Services, which provides counseling, medical aid, foster care and adoption assistance to single parents and their babies in 21 counties.

Teens for Life at Paul VI High School are hosting the new site. In honor of their witness, the event’s commemorative T-shirt will be in the school’s black-and-gold colors. This is the initial year the pro-life club’s students joined the Walk as a group.

"We’re delighted to have them; such a huge new presence," said Linda Cullen, Children’s Services program director at all diocesan Catholic Charities’ branches. "In addition to fundraising, one of the Walk’s goals is to raise awareness of our services to the youth and young adult population."

The 5-K trek, which may be walked, jogged or run, is held rain or shine and draws all ages from infants in strollers to senior citizens. Attendees are asked to obtain sponsor donations, which are direct contributions instead of pledges based on distance. These monies should be collected when a sponsor fills in a space on the participant’s form. A small Walk registration fee for children and adults, with a discounted rate for families and persons over age 55, provides participants with a picnic lunch and opportunity for door prizes, after the event. The T-shirt is also guaranteed for those registering by May 1.

Last year, about 240 people participated in Alexandria, which occurs on Fort Hunt Park’s bike trail for 3.1 miles; and 100 in Ashburn at Broad Run High School for 12 and 1/3 laps on the athletic track. The Walk in Fairfax will take place along the course of the "Run Fest," an annual Paul VI fall fundraising event, which goes through some of the school’s nearby residential neighborhoods.

In coming up with activity ideas, the Paul VI Teens for Life decided to ask that Walk organizers allow their school to be added as an additional site, said the group’s moderator Jane Elfring. "They’re promoting it within the school, and we’re mailing event information to alumni and parents," she said of the 80-member youth group. For the last two years, the teens have held a Hopeful Mother’s charity baby shower collection, immediately before Mother’s Day. This year, they’re moving it up to April 15 as part of a pro-life informational assembly at which Cullen is one of the speakers. The group will donate baby shower gifts to a pregnant woman widowed in the Pentagon terrorist attack and Catholic Charities.

Planning for the Walk begins well ahead of the event in two rounds of promotions. According to Cullen, this year Children’s Services printed 11,000 notices and sent them to parishes’ pastors, Directors of Religious Education and Youth Ministers; previous participants; and schools.

Walkers who raise more than $100 in donations and turn in their sponsor money prior to May 1 will have their name placed in a drawing for a portable CD player. Some long-time supporters of the Walk are Friends of Children’s Services; the adoptive parents support group; the diocesan youth ministry; pro-life committees; and a few of the larger singles groups.

At Fort Hunt Park, Area A, in Alexandria, the Walk check-in and late registration will be at 10 a.m.; walk at 11 a.m. Awards will be given out to the group with largest number of youth walkers; most adult walkers; group with the most sponsor donations; and individual bringing in the highest donations. For information call Beverly Otey or Cathy McAdoo at 703/425-0100 or Katherine Speck at 703/938-4695.

At Broad Run High School, 21670 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, registration and walk begin at 10 a.m. For information call Barbara Carrescia at 703/729-9631 or Terri Short at 703/729-2111.

At Paul VI High School, 10675 Lee Highway, Fairfax, registration begins in the back parking lot at 10 a.m. and Walk at 10:30 a.m. For information call Jane Elfring at 703/352-0925 ext. 423.

Linda Cullen may also be contacted regarding all three locations at 703/425-0100. Forms, information and registration are available at www.ccda.net.