COTS Walk 2012

Sunday, May 6

WHEN: 2 p.m. May 6 (check-in at 1:30 p.m.)

WHERE: Begins at Battery Park, Burlington

REGISTER: Register online or call 540-3084, Ext. 204, to request a form.

RAISE MONEY ONLINE:  www.firstgiving.com/cots

About the Walk

The Annual COTS Walk is a 3-mile trek around downtown Burlington starting from Battery Park, following the route a homeless person might travel to receive shelter and services. This is the one day of the year that we open our shelters to the community so people can see how their pledges are put to use. At 2pm, participants are led by the drummers of Sambatucada down the Church Street Marketplace along Main Street and into surrounding neighborhoods. Along the way, walkers are invited into COTS shelters to see COTS facilities "up close and personal." The walk takes 45 minutes to an hour and concludes back at Battery Park where walkers are met with music, Ben & Jerry's ice cream and other free refreshments.

Who Walks and Why

Up to 1,500 walkers of all ages, from schools, social and religious organizations, businesses and neighborhoods come together from all over the region to participate in the annual COTS Walk.

The COTS Walk has two purposes: To raise public awareness about homelessness in our community and to raise funds to support COTS shelters and services for Vermonters who are homeless or are at risk of losing their homes. In 2010, COTS served 111 families in shelter, including 180 parents and 157 children. We provided outreach and support to 208 homeless families in both emergency shelter and in the community.

Our Goal

We plan to raise $170,000 to support COTS shelters and services in the upcoming year.

How to Participate

Form a team or walk as an individual!

Take the lead as a Team Captain! The Walk is especially fun if you form a team and walk with a group of friends, co-workers, family members or your social or religious organization. Give your team a name, make signs or costumes or come up with another creative way to identify yourselves as a Walk Team for COTS. Our photographer will be there to snap your team photo!

As an individual walker, you set a fundraising goal for yourself and can begin collecting pledges from friends, co-workers, family members and neighbors right away. Bring your pledges to the check-in tent on Walk Day and join in as the crowd departs Battery Park.

Raise the bar and become a Challenge Team or Challenge Walker! These are teams and individuals pledging to raise at least $1,000. Challenge walkers who meet this goal will receive exclusive COTS logo gear and Challenge Teams recieve a framed certificate and special recognition at our Annual Volunteer Recognition Meeting.

STUDENTS: Take on the COTS High School Challenge and form a School Challenge Team. The school to raise the most money will be recognized at our Annual Meeting.

Once registered, teams and individuals will receive all the necessary materials through the mail.

If you are forming a team, only the team captain needs to register and will fill out the number of pledge envelopes needed total (1 for each teammate) on the form.

Register now! (online application); register by calling Becky at (802) 540-3084, Ext. 204.

VOLUNTEERING?

We need lots of volunteers that afternoon. We especially need Crossing Guards, help with refreshements, hospitality and more! E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 540-3084 to sign up!

2011 COTS WALK PHOTOS:

• COTS Walk 2011
• COTS Walk team photos 2011
• COTS Walk 2011, Part II
• COTS Walk 2011, Part III
• COTS Walk 2011: Star 92.9 gallery
• COTS Walk 2011: Harjit Dhaliwal FB gallery
• Free Press COTS Walk gallery
• COTS MOVE photos from COTS Walk 2011 
• 2010: Click for photos from 2010 

QUESTIONS?

Email us with questions or to submit information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or call (802) 540-3084, Ext. 204