Norton to Speak at Help the Homeless Walkathon Tomorrow to Raise Funds for District Programs

Norton to Speak at Help the Homeless Walkathon Tomorrow to Raise Funds for District Programs

November 18, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak at the Help the Homeless Walkathon tomorrow, November 19, 2011, at 8:45 a.m. on the main stage on the National Mall near Madison Dr. and 7th, NW. "I'll be out for the almost 12,000 homeless residents of the District of Columbia, especially the almost 25 percent of whom are children," Norton said. The 3.1-mile walk raises money for the Help the Homeless Program, which supports organizations that work to prevent and end homelessness in the District. Last year, nearly 130,000 people raised money for or participated in the Help the Homeless Walkathon, and the program has raised more than $85 million since 1988.

"The Help the Homeless Walkathon brings us all together from across the District and region to raise urgently needed funds for programs that help some of those who need help most. Homelessness has increased even among working people in this tough economy. This walk is the right lead-in to Thanksgiving week," Norton said.

Last month, Norton offered an amendment to the Civilian Property Realignment Act that would have struck down the waiver of a federal provision that gives homeless providers access to surplus federal properties, a waiver that Norton called "heartless and unnecessary."