OneHolyoke CDC, Community Organizations to Host “ONEHolyoke” Community Walk August 27

Holyoke–OneHolyoke CDC has partnered with Holyoke community organizations, such as HG&E, to host the ONEHolyoke Community Walk on Saturday, August 27 at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The 5K will bring the community together safely outdoors for a walk and roll (wheelchair, bicycle, stroller) along a Holyoke route with activities for families, giveaways, and to bring awareness of continued safe practices to keep the community healthy.

This is the second annual community walk organized by OneHolyoke CDC. Last year’s inaugural event focused on COVID safety, the importance of getting the community vaccinated, and remembering those lost to the virus. This year’s event is broadened to emphasize the importance of community and will provide resources, giveaways and activities for families.

The 5K route will begin at the intersection of Race Street, Main Street, and Canal Street (near Lawler’s Insurance) and will end on Race Street at Middle Street, where participants can view the HyggeHaus home donated to OneHolyoke CDC by the UMass Building Construction and Technology Program. The Holyoke Farmers’ Market will be in progress at the end of the route.

The event will also feature giveaways and resources by partnering organizations at five water stations along the route; a Holyoke history and local business scavenger hunt along the route; a story walk at the end of the route with an opportunity to bring home a copy of the book;  a vaccine clinic at the end of the route (near the Farmer’s Market); and a celebration at the end of the walk.

Registration is $10 for adults and $15 per couple, and children are free. Registration is open at go.rallyup.com/c/participar5k2022 and those who don’t pre-register can also sign up on-site.

Donations are also being accepted. New this year, participants can form teams and participate with family, friends, or colleagues. Prizes will be awarded for the team that raises the most money and the team with the most members. Event proceeds will benefit OneHolyoke CDC in their work to support the Holyoke community through its various programs and partnerships.

Over the past two years, OneHolyoke has been dedicated to providing educational resources, food, personal protective equipment, and vaccine clinics. Moving forward, OneHolyoke’s strategic plan for community engagement has five areas: civic engagement, health, education, public safety, and maintaining the Flats Community Building as a center for community activities.

The goal is for the community walk to be accessible to everyone in the community. Those who are not able to pay the registration fee can enter the code DONAR (for individual registration) or DONAR2 (for couple registration) on the payment page of the website to receive free registration.

OneHolyoke CDC is the only certified Community Development Corporation based in the City of Holyoke. Founded in 1971, OneHolyoke CDC has created over 160 new homes in the Flats, Churchill and South Holyoke neighborhoods, rehabilitated hundreds of apartments and provided thousands of home improvement grants to homeowners through the Neighborhood Improvement Program.