Local Hy-Vee employees decided they wanted to hold a fun, healthy event and raise money for a local cause — so they did just that and are planning the first ever Walk-a-thon to raise funds for the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

Steve Shahan, manager of store operations, said their goal is to raise $10,000 at the event. They’re holding it rain or shine at 10 a.m. April 14.

“I think it’s really achievable,” Shahan said.

He said they hope to have about 400 walkers. People can pre-register for the walk by getting a form at Caribou Coffee. Anyone who returns their registration with $25 minimum in donations will receive a free beverage from Caribou.

“But people can register the day of the walk at the event, too,” Shahan said.

The walk will start at Brookside Education Center and will wind around the lake before ending back at the school — in all it’s about 4 1/2 miles. When walkers reach Mayo Clinic Health System, about halfway, they’ll be given a bottle of water and a banana. Shahan said Red Cross staff will be at sites all around the lake.

There will be three other stops along the route as well, where local members of the Army National Guard will have activities for children. At Lakeview Park there will be an obstacle course, at New Denmark Park there will be baseball toss and football toss, and at Fountain Lake Park near the gazebo there will be a rock climbing wall.

People can register individually or in teams up to 10 people. Prizes will be awarded to the highest earners. The person who gets the most donations individually will receive a three-month membership to Anytime Fitness, and the team that raises the most in donations will receive a catered backyard barbecue from Hy-Vee.

“I think it’ll be a lot of fun,” Shahan said.

At the end of the walk Albert Lea’s cross country team will be hosting a concession stand selling a carton of milk, granola bar and hoagie sandwich for $3.

 

If you go

What: Walk-a-thon for the local American Red Cross chapter
Where: Brookside Education Center
When: 10 a.m.
April 14