Zonta Club’s 5th Annual RAVE Walk, October 18

The Zonta Club of Charles County is sponsoring the Fifth Annual RAVE Walk on Saturday, October 18th at the Regency Stadium in Waldorf, MD. RAVE is an acronym for Rape and Violence Eradication. This awareness walk, hosted by the 42-member women’s service club collectively raised over $20,000 in the past four years for a local community organization known as CAP (Center for Abused Persons), which provides services for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. This year, the proceeds will benefit the Angel’s Watch for a security system, Center for Children for the “Unmasking Sexual Con Games” program, and LifeStyles, which provides financial and emotional support to women and children recovering from abuse and/or needing help to escape from abusive partners.

The 3-mile RAVE walk will take place around the parking lot of Charles County’s Regency Stadium, home of The Blue Crabs. The stadium is located at 11765 Linus Drive, Waldorf, MD 20602. The walk is a noncompetitive “walker-friendly” venue that accommodates participants with strollers or leashed pets. Preevent activities include music, healthy refreshments and stretching exercises. The event is a sponsorship format; participants collect donations for the cause and those collecting $15 or more receive a commemorative t-shirt.

The event begins with Registration from 8-8:30 a.m.; The Program (8:30 – 9:00 a.m.) includes the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, Dignitary Welcome, Special Featured Speaker, and an address by Senator Mac Middleton, followed by stretching in preparation for the walk. New this year: During the walk, music will be provided by the TNL Praise Band, led by Terry and Cindy Barnes. The walk will proceed from approximately 9-10:00 a.m. Door Prize winners will be announced as the participants are walking. Upon completion of the walk, there will be more Prizes and Celebration.

Sponsorships are requested, with a variety of options of levels and benefits for sponsors. Walkers are also needed, and walkers can pre-register or register at the event on Oct. 18th. Funds are being raised on behalf of The Zonta Fund at the Community Foundation of Charles County (CFCC). The Zonta Fund is a component fund of the CFCC, a 501 c 3 public charity – donations to which are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

The Community Foundation of Charles County’s goal is to establish permanent and pass-through funds, invest those funds for growth and distribute the earnings to organizations which will enhance people’s lives throughout Charles County. Checks should be made payable to THE ZONTA FUND, and can be sent to Zonta Club of Charles County, P.O. Box 691, White Plains, MD 20695.

The Zonta Club of Charles County is part of Zonta International, a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance and improve the status of women. There are approximately 34,000 members in more than 1200 clubs in 71 countries. Founded in Buffalo, New York in 1919, Zonta takes its name from the Lakota Sioux Indian word meaning “honest and trustworthy.” Zontians volunteer their time, talents and energy to local and international service projects that improve the status of women. Zonta of Charles County was formed in 1982 and has been serving the community for decades.

For more information about the RAVE walk or the Zonta Club of Charles County please e-mail ravewalk@comcast.net with questions and please visit the organization’s website at www.zontacharlescounty.org.