Second Annual Walk-a-Thon

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

HELEN KELLER

Sunday May 21, 2017SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Second Annual Fundraising Walk-a-Thon

When I first met Joanne, she was just out of the hospital and could barely walk. Now, we visit, take walks, go shopping, and just enjoy each other’s company. She has become a true friend.

JOAN, Volunteer

Why a Walk-a-Thon?FriendshipWalks promotes the importance of building neighborly connections, the value of friendship, and the role of walking and physical activities in the health and well-being of elders.

For more information: Please contact Julie Kaufmann at 617-482-1510 x121 or events@fw4elders.org. Visit www.fw4elders.org

“Come join us for the 2nd

annual FriendshipWalks. Meet

new friends, laugh with old

friends, see our pet volunteers,

& experience a wonderful day.

Our first walk was a huge

success so let’s do it again!

Lace up your sneakers, walk

more steps, bring a friend,

make a gift to end elder

isolation. I know we can do it!”

Connie Packard

Board President

Walk WiTh us and embrace The poWer of friendship!

FriendshipWalks is our second Annual Walk-a-Thon! It will raise awareness of the power of friendship in ending elder isolation and will raise critical funds to support our programs. FriendshipWorks’ programs aim to reduce isolation and provide friendly support and assistance to the elders we serve, including one-on-one friendly visits, medical escorts, and pet visits.

FriendshipWalks’ two routes connect our downtown and neighborhood offices. Choose a route; collect pledges; then bring your pet, friends, neighbors, colleagues & family, and join us on May 21st!

Start at either our main office or our neighborhood office[La Cadena de Amistad] in Jamaica Plain. Walk to our Allston/Brighton neighborhood office. End with our Celebration of Friendship Party in Brighton!

When Karen first started visiting Blanche, the two liked to go out for lunch, walk through the park, and get manicures. Karen helped Blanche remain independent, accompanying her to the bank and grocery store. When Blanche moved to a nursing home, Karen’s support didn’t waver; she visited regularly. They shared a wealth of experiences and happy memories - Blanche even attended Karen’s wedding.

Blanche explained that her relationship with Karen helped her out of a depression and a feeling of loneliness. Karen said that Blanche, with her great energy, beautiful skin and sense of humor at 95, was an inspiration for her.

It started with a walk....

A walk is only a step away from a story, and every path tells.

ROBERT MACFARLANE

“My friend–who is 80—and I went for a walk last week and stopped in at her grocery store, and discovered we like a lot of the same things such as fine cheeses, hummus, and good organic products. She has a

lot of knowledge about health and nutrition so I am hoping to learn a lot from her. We plan on going to the Esplanade once the weather warms up, and she is

looking forward to it!”

Ina, in her late 80s, was interested in having a volunteer meet with her once a week to go for a walk, as she has some visual impairment and didn’t feel safe going by herself. Han, an international student who missed his grandmother back in China, wanted to volunteer with elders.

Since meeting one another, Han and Ina continue to walk together regularly on Monday afternoons. When the weather gets too hot for walking, they sit together outside in the shade and visit with one another.

The Need is CriTiCalSocial isolation hurts the heart and soul of seniors, and for some it is deadly. The mortality risk associated with isolation is equal to smoking, and exceeds the risk associated with obesity. Loneliness and isolation are strong predictors of negative health outcomes such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and depression. New studies have shown that social isolation turns up the activity of genes responsible for inflammation and turns down the activity of genes that produce antibodies to fight infection. soCial isolaTioN is makiNg people siCk!

Over 25,000 seniors in Massachusetts are living alone; please join us in working to prevent their isolation, alleviate their loneliness, and improve their health and well-being.

About FriendshipWorksFriendshipWorks’ mission is to reduce social isolation, enhance quality of life, and preserve the dignity of older adults in Greater Boston. We accomplish this by recruiting and training volunteers of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds who provide friendship, advocacy, education, assistance, and emotional support. Our vision is to end elder isolation.

For over 30 years, FriendshipWorks has been a pioneer in implementing simple and effective solutions to the serious health risks posed by social isolation in the elder community. The organization serves elders who are most at risk of social isolation and exclusion: those who live alone, have chronic health conditions, or are residents of elder housing, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

ALBERT CAMUS

Our ProgramsFRIENDLY VISITING: we match volunteers with older adults for weekly companionship, and help with essential tasks one friend might do for another in need. Volunteers can also exercise with an elder by becoming a “Walking Buddy.”

MEDICAL ESCORTS: a “door-through-door” service where volunteers accompany elders to their medical appointments, providing personalized support, remaining with them throughout the entire visit to help them navigate medical centers, pick up prescriptions, and advocate for services.

FRIENDLY HELPERS: volunteers provide one-time and short-term assistance to elders who have a specific need and no one to help. The tasks we help with vary, and can include activities like packing, organizing, and shopping.

PETPALS: our pet visitation program brings volunteers and their pets to visit elders living in long-term care facilities to help reduce loneliness and isolation.

NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICES: Starting with La Cadena de Amistad–our bilingual office in Jamaica Plain, we now have 3 neighborhood offices: Allston/Brighton, Jamaica Plain, and South End/Roxbury. We offer culturally sensitive services unique to residents of each neighborhood, and partner with local community organizations.

MUSICWORKS: our pilot program in collaboration with Goddard House brings the joy of music to elders in their own homes, listening to and participating in musical activities individually and in groups.

• 105 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA 02111 • 617.482.1510 • www.fw4elders.org