Volunteers from the United Neighbors of Fall River Foster Care Support Task Force and other organizations gathered at Heritage State Park for the annual Stepping Out to Support Foster Care Walk. This year's event was held on May 30, 2009, a gorgeous spring day. The event included a two-mile walk along the scenic boardwalk, as well as raffles, pony rides by Stony Creek Farm, musical entertainment and refreshments.  Walkers were led through a ten-minute pre-walk warm-up by 2009 Fitness Challenge winner Nykie Marzilli. "This is our second fund-raising walk," reported United Neighbors director Jenny DiBlasi, "and we were amazed to see so many foster parents, children and supporters." BMC Healthnet donated 300 sport water bottles for walkers at the event. Funds raised by the walk go to support activities for foster families in the Greater Fall River area. The Mama’s and The Papa’s walking group was congratulated for winning the walk team name contest and won a pizza party and a team photo. Click here for photos of last year's walk. For more information about United Neighbors and its activities, contact Jenny DiBlasi at 508-324-7900.
 

(Top row, left) Darlease Monteiro registers for the walk with Judy Camara outside the Heritage State Park visitors' center at Battleship Cove. (Top row, center) Jillian Bettencourt paints four-year-old Isabella Rosa's face before the walk. (Top row, right) Ryan Connearney and Jared Robinson of Those Four Guys provide the entertainment for the recreational event that followed the walk. (Middle row, left) 2009 Fitness Challenge winner Nykie Marzilli demonstrates some leg lifts for the foster parents and their children. (Middle row, right) Five-year-old Jasmyn looks to her father, Ray Hebert of Fall River, to learn how to do stretches before the walk. (Bottom row) With a balloon tied to her wrist, Lily Canario  leads the group to Independence Park and back along the Taunton River boardwalk with the Battleship USS Massachusetts in the background.