In May, students from nearly 20 high schools and colleges will join hundreds of other Vermonters in the annual Committee On Temporary Shelter, or COTS, Walk in Burlington.

“It’s just heartwarming and amazing to see so many teens participate,” said Lesli Blount, COTS Board chairwoman. “Every year they participate in great numbers.”

Blount said Rice High School normally has the largest attendance. Between 130 and 140 Rice students will participate this year, said Sarah Smith Conroy, who organizes the school’s participation.

Conroy has made participation a requirement in her freshman history class since she helped found the COTS Walk 22 years ago. Since all freshmen take her class, they all take part in the walk.

“It’s just the right thing to do,” Conroy said. “The money stays here and it’s a very real need, and at a very concrete level the kids see their efforts making a difference.”

The three-mile route follows the course a homeless person might take to get shelter and services.

“This is the one day of the year when we open up our shelters to the public,” said Mary Beth Jensen, COTS special events coordinator. “Otherwise, people would never get to see the inside of a shelter and what it really is like.”

Organizers hope to raise $175,000 during the walk, set for May 2. Since event sponsors cover the costs, all of the money raised goes directly to shelters and services, Jensen said. She said the event is “huge,” one of their two biggest events of the year.

“It brings in enough money to run the shelters for quite some time,” she said. “It’s really vital.”

Blount said COTS has seen an “all-time high demand for services” in the past year or so. The group had to open an overflow center, which Blount said is “already kind of bursting at the seams.”

Some people have lost their jobs and others have had their hours cut as businesses try to weather the tough economic climate.

Taking part in the walk is a fun and easy way to lend a hand, Jensen said.

“It’s a great way for people of all ages to get involved in their community and learn about homelessness in Burlington and see for themselves what is being done and how… they can help and get involved,” Jensen said.

Jensen said people take part in the COTS Walk because it’s a good time, but it also raises awareness about homelessness. 

“People get to see things they don’t typically get to see,” Jensen said. “It’s a great way to have a conversation about homelessness and poverty and social justice in general.”

 

Join Fireflymag.com’s team

This year, Fireflymag.com will have a team in the COTS Walk.

Walkers set individual fundraising goals for themselves and collect pledges from friends, family, coworkers, or whomever they can find. If you want to join the team (and get free stuff!), e-mail Stephanie@fireflymag.com.

The COTS Walk is held May 2, starting at Battery Park in Burlington. Check-in is at 1:30 p.m.

 

To publish something of your own, click here. Got a story idea? E-mail stephanie@fireflymag.com.