Briana Fuller, age 7, and her friends got warmed up and ready to walk laps around the New Haven Green by dancing and doing the “Cupid Shuffle.”
Briana joined nearly 1,000 students and staff from 16 youth service organizations who gathered on the Green Thursday morning for a “Youth Walk fundraiser.”
The event was organized by the Citywide Youth Coalition (CWYC), a network of youth programs, and individuals committed to improving the lives of New Haven kids and their families.
Click on the play arrow for a sampling of the energy on display.
The marchers walked laps around the lower Green for over an hour supported by pledges from family and friends. THe money goes toward their youth programs.
The event proved to be a good time for mingling amongst the youth as well. “We all [came] together representing our programs” said Ashely Blakenay, who is part of the Harrison Tucker program.
The march raised $16,000, the most money since the event began in 2005, according to coalition board President Monique Turner-Lopez. (Last year the coalition didn’t hold the march.) An unexpected donation came from AT&T Real Yellow Pages, which gave everyone free passes Quassy Amusement Park.