Dick's Drive-In 22-mile walk-a-thon aims to raise $15,000 for local charities

Dozens of people started a 22-mile quest Saturday morning -- walking from the Dick’s Drive-In in Edmonds to all the other five locations in Seattle, ending at Queen Anne -- to raise money for local groups that help the homeless.

The annual Dick’s Walk-a-Thon, which benefits the company’s Change for Charity efforts, started seven years ago when friends, Lars Phillips and J.P. Osseward had the idea to make the trek.

“The event continued to grow, so we decided to incorporate a charity aspect,” Phillips said before starting the walk Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

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The event, which gained support from Dick’s staff, raised about $1,000 seven years ago. That doubled the following year, and last year after Dick’s and Gravity Payments matched all contributions donated to Change for Charity on the walk day, participants raised $11,637.

The goal this year is $15,000. Dick’s and Gravity Payments are again matching all donations made to Change for Charity boxes Saturday at the drive-ins. Avier Wealth Advisors of Bellevue also donated money for the participants’ T-shirts, which came with a $20 donation.

“It’s been huge for us,” Compass Housing Alliance Executive Director Janet Pope said of the donations form Dick’s Change for Charity and the previous walk-a-thons. Her organization, which provides permanent and transitional housing, is based in Seattle and has more than 20 King County locations between SeaTac and Shoreline.

“It’s always helpful having the private sector this involved,” Pope said. “It’s going to take everybody’s support – the government, non-profits, the private sector, individuals – to end the housing and homelessness crisis that we’re in.

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The route went from Edmonds to Lake City, to Holman Road and to Wallingford, up to Capitol Hill and down to Queen Anne. Dozens more people were expected to join the original two dozen along the route.

Other charities to receive donations include Mary’s Place, Cocoon House, First Place School, FareStart Job Training, Operation Nightwatch, the St. Martin de Porres Shelter, and Rising Out of the Shadows (ROOTS).

“This is a great way to get everyone involved, because everyone loves Dick’s and that’s what makes it really special.”

Cox Media Group