2019 Walk for Children
A Green Bay Packers Defensive Tackle.
Bango with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Dinosaur fossils from the Milwaukee Public Museum.
Those were just a few of the attractions at the 2019 Walk for Children at Next Door on Saturday, May 18.
The Walk for Children is Next Door’s largest event of the year aimed at raising community awareness and funding for the critical early childhood education programs Next Door offers to Milwaukee’s central city families. The Walk has been an annual Next Door tradition since 1989.
This year, the event drew 515 guests and raised nearly $150,000.
Our Walk Leader was Green Bay Packers Kenny Clark. He led the crowd on a one-mile, parade-style walk through Next Door’s 29th Street neighborhood and remained afterwards for stage entertainment and pictures with fans.
Other celebrity appearances included: Bango and the Bucks Dancers from Milwaukee Bucks, Bernie Brewer and Barrelman from Milwaukee Brewers, Pounce Panther from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Seymour Savings from North Shore Bank and event emcees Mark Baden and Derrick Rose from WISN 12.
The event also featured a block party packed with children’s games and activities, special prize drawings for Next Door families and Milwaukee’s DJ Dee Train.
A number of Next Door community partners offered booth attractions like dinosaur fossil exploration from the Milwaukee Public Museum and Kohl’s On the Move outreach program and blood pressure checks from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy.
The Presenting Sponsor of the Walk for Children was Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The company has held this role since the Walk began in 1989. This year, Next Door celebrated Harley-Davidson’s milestone year of giving to the organization with employee contributions surpassing a total of $1 million!
Additional corporate recognition went to Helwig Carbon Products, Manpower and Northwestern Mutual – three companies who have been long-time supporters of Next Door and the Walk for Children.
Next Door also welcomed State Representative David Crowley, State Representative Kalan Haywood and Milwaukee Alderman Cavalier Johnson.
Click HERE for a Facebook photo gallery from the Walk for Children.
Click HERE to see media coverage from WISN 12.
Click HERE to see media coverage from TODAY’s TMJ4.