Published: August 17, 2007 11:21 am      

Family Junction plans first Walk N’ Roll fundraiser

CUMBERLAND — Bring your kids, your grandkids and even your neighbor’s kids if you like.

The point of the first Family Junction Walk N’ Roll on Sept. 8 is to have fun as a family, whether it be biking the Great Allegheny Passage in Maryland or walking along the C&O Canal towpath. That, and all the money raised stays locally to benefit the nonprofit agency.

Melanie McDonald, executive co-director of Family Junction with Keri Whitacre, said the organization “promotes positive parenting and practical child rearing.” Parents learn a number of skills, from how to effectively discipline their children to where the child is developmentally for his age. Sessions take place both in a group setting as well as individually at home.

The Small Steps program begins with McDonald and Whitacre visiting the hospital to meet with new parents.

“Parenting doesn’t come with its own manual,” McDonald said. “We’re out there to help support families.”

Whitacre said the two often hear that teaching such skills is necessary.

Stacey Bingaman, event chairman, said the organization wanted a family-themed event that would entice everyone, including individual families or businesses or church groups, to join.

The hope is for the Walk N’ Roll, which will be based at Canal Place, to become an annual event and provide much needed funds to the agency’s coffers.

Preregistration is open now. Individuals and groups also may compete for prizes based on dollars raised.

McDonald said participants are needed to both walk and roll. The 5-mile, round-trip walk along the towpath starts at 9 a.m. with the turnaround at the Wiley Ford, W.Va., bridge. Registration is at 8 a.m.

Those who choose to cycle have a number of options, providing a level for all riders. All rides begin at 8 a.m., with registration beginning at 7 a.m.

Those interested in a nice ride downhill can make the 16-mile trek from Frostburg to Canal Place. Participants are to register at Canal Place first and must provide their own transportation back to Frostburg.

The organization has added its sixth annual ball drop to the festivities with all riders and walkers entered as well. The ball drop takes place at 12:30 p.m. at Canal Place with the grand prize $1,000.

Whitacre said corporate sponsors are being sought. Those interested can sponsor checkpoints to mile markers. Platinum sponsors raise $2,500 or more; gold, between $1,500 and $2,500; and silver, $750 to $1,500.

First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union has been the lead sponsor on the ball drop and will continue to take the lead in this new event as well.

Whitacre said the employees have put much effort into the event through the leadership of Bingaman, the credit union’s president and chief executive officer. Employees designed the brochure and are selling ball drop tickets at all seven locations.

Bingaman said First Peoples is making the event fun for its employees with incentives offered to individuals and branches. He also commended Canal Place, Rotary Club of Cumberland and other corporate sponsors that have helped so far.

For more information, call (301) 777-2858 or log on to www.becausefamiliesmatter. org.

Maria Smith can be reached at msmith@times-news.com.