Just before the winter “chills out” Washington DC, lace up your sneakers and head to the National Mall! The 21st Annual Washington, D.C. Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Walkathon takes place the Saturday before Thanksgiving and is a great way to support KEYS during the season of giving. For more than 20 years, the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Program has brought together caring and committed individuals to work toward preventing and ending homelessness in our region. Since their inaugural walk in 1987, nearly 950,000 walkers have joined with Fannie Mae to raise nearly $70 million dollars.

Beneficiary organizations, like KEYS, receive grants that are a combination of organizations' own fund-raising efforts and Fannie Mae Foundation incentive funds. The grants may be used for program costs or operating support. The Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Program raises awareness of and funds for Washington metropolitan area organizations that are working to prevent and end homelessness, with an emphasis on programs that help homeless people return to independent living. This year, it is estimated that there are nearly 12,000 people in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area who are homeless, and they need your help.

Cost:
Preregistration: $15 for youth (age 25 and younger) and $25 for adults. Event Day Registration: $15 for youth and $30 for adults.

Thousands of our neighbors—including children—are living on the streets, in cars, and in temporary shelters. In addition to providing direct delivery of resources and materials to organizations providing services for these individuals, KEYS work with schools, community and faith-based organizations was recognized by Fannie Mae’s Youth Engagement Award. KEYS is sincerely thankful for the participation of students and faculty of Mary McLeod Day Academy Charter Public School and members of Ilda Pool and Little Run Community Association. Their involvement with KEYS has helped tremendously as we continue to raise awareness in our own communities and provide outreach to the homeless living in Washington, DC.

KEYS walkathon fundraising was also bolstered by Strategic Insight, LLC, a government consulting group with offices in Arlington, VA and Washington, DC. Although we fell just shy of our fundraising goal, we expect to receive even stronger participation and support this year from friends like you!