OLPH hosts walk-a-thon to restore church vestibules

Parishioners at OLPH gathered together in support of improving the church they call their Sunday home.

On Saturday October, a walk-a-thon was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica, 526 59th Street. The third annual Walks4Health fundraiser began at 9:30 a.m. and was followed by a celebration at Notre Dame Hall where participants enjoyed an early lunch.

The event was full of fun giveaways and raffles with all proceeds going to restore the lower church vestibules which harsh weather conditions had damaged.

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photo by SB News
BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photo by SB News

Father John McKenna, the church’s pastor, noted that the walkathon “was extremely happy. We turned a fundraiser into a fun-raiser.” The vestibules are the first impression of the lower church, McKenna noted, and he wants to make sure parishioners get the best view when they walk in.

The goal of the walk-a-thon was to raise enough funds to repair the damage, and McKenna said that the church had “reached the goal and beyond.”

During the walk, according to McKenna, a total of 200 “I love OLPH” caps were handed out, and because of the larger than expected turnout, the caps ran out, putting the overall head count well past 200 attendees. McKenna also said that there was a lot of support from the people of the parish. Those people, along with businesses, and locals showed up to put their best foot forward and walk for a cause.

Besides raising needed funds, the third annual fundraiser also stands as a “community builder,” McKenna noted. “We have a large, multi-ethnic parish and we are constantly looking for projects to bring these groups together so that they can all be a part of something they are proud of.”

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