Fargo-Moorhead was on its feet for good causes Saturday.
Several fundraising walks and runs took place across the cities. The weather cooperated with mild temperatures and sunny skies.
About 1,000 people took part in the Walk MS event in the morning. The 3-mile walk raised about $100,000 for the National MS Society, said development manager Amy Hinkemeyer. Fundraising continues through May.
Teams dressed in matching T-shirts. Kids had their faces painted and wore orange construction paper crowns. A drum line led the walkers out of the Bison Sports Arena.
It was the first time 29-year-old Amanda Holzwarth of West Fargo took part in the event. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in December.
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She gathered about 30 friends and family to join "The A-Team."
She said the walk was a great time for people to get together but added that the focus is on finding a cure.
"We're hoping some day we'll have an MS-free world," Holzwarth said.
About 425 people walked three miles to and from the Urban Plains Center in south Fargo in the March for Babies, a fundraiser for the March of Dimes.
Karin Roseland, state director, said the Fargo walk raised about $75,000, which will fund programs that encourage healthy pregnancies.
Aaron and Marcy Samuelson of Fargo walked in memory of their daughter, Payton, who was born prematurely Feb. 1, 2008. She lived for 42 days.
Aaron Samuelson said the March of Dimes offered the family support and connected them with other families. The Samuelsons now have a son, Paxton, who was born March 14.
"We're doing our part to give back," Aaron said.
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At Minnesota State University Moorhead, people ran and walked in the Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics. The event, which raises money for athletic scholarships, worked with the Fargo Marathon to tout the event as a training run.
That's why Ben Taylor, an MSUM senior, ran the
10-kilometer race. He's running the half-marathon May 22.
He donated his registration fee to the softball team. "You've got to make money for athletics somehow," he said.
Besides the 10k run, there was a 10-mile race and a 5k walk and run. About 650 people took part in total, raising $151,000-plus, said walk Chairman Greg Peterson.
"We started it five years ago with the hopes we could kind of supplement a little bit the scholarship program. And now we're a major player in the scholarships," Peterson said.
Concordia College hosted the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Tri-Colleges Against Cancer on Saturday night. Sixty teams were registered.
Committee member Whitney Derks noticed radio ads all week for all the various walks. "It's great because it's beautiful out today," she said.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Sherri Richards at (701) 241-5556
