Pledge Walk to Support Local Refugees in Arlington, Cambridge and Somerville

Local Chapter Sets Fundraising Goal of $3,000 

 

Arlington, MA - June 18, 2018  Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield is the site of this year's annual Walk for Refugees, which raises money to support local asylum seekers.  Volunteers will participate in a three-mile pledge walk around the lake on Sunday, June 24, with proceeds benefiting the Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM) and its nine local clusters.   The clusters, which are staffed entirely by volunteers, provide local asylum seekers with housing, transportation and material needs such as food and clothing. 

 

Elizabeth Dickinson of Arlington is a member of the Arlington, Cambridge and Somerville cluster of RIM, which is known as the ArCS Cluster.  She and her partner raised over $1,000 at last year’s event, and plan to walk again this year.  “The walk is a fun, easy and important way to support our refugees and asylum seekers,” says Ms. Dickinson.  “One of the additional benefits is the chance to build community with fellow members of the cluster and make new friends and find others who share your concerns and values.”

 

Mike Grunder of Arlington has acted as a volunteer for the ArCS Cluster together with his wife Aileen Grunder, providing transportation to medical appointments for an individual the cluster hosts.   He notes, “The walk not only helps us raise funds to expand the support we can offer. It’s also a way to raise people’s awareness that they can do something to directly impact the lives of refugees right here in their communities.”

 

The ArCS Cluster has set a pledge goal of $3,000 for this year's Walk for Refugees.  Walkers from the cluster’s network of volunteers will be participating in the event, including individuals from local communities and supporting congregations including Reservoir Church of Cambridge, Covenant Church in Arlington, First Parish of Arlington, and the Mennonite Congregation of Boston.

 

The Walk for Refugees takes place on Sunday, June 24 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, starting at the gazebo on the Lower Common of Lake Quannapowitt at 1 Church Street in Wakefield. Supporters can make a donation to the Arlington, Cambridge and Somerville walking team or register as a walker at https://tinyurl.com/ArCS-Walk.   

 

About the ArCS Cluster of RIM

 

The ArCS Cluster of the Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM) mobilizes local volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in Arlington, Cambridge and Somerville, providing practical help, emotional support and financial assistance to individuals and families throughout their journey to establish themselves in a new community. For more information visit https:///www.arcscluster.com.

 

Contact

 

Laura Cook

ArCS Cluster of RIM

Email: arcsclusterinfo @ gmail.com