With the help of 764 participants, Micah House received nearly $22,000 from the Help-the-Homeless miniwalks last fall.

The bulk of that--$15,000--came in the form of an incentive award from the sponsoring Fannie Mae Foundation. Another $6,743 came from registrations and donations.

The incentive award is granted to organizations that have at least 750 walkers. Micah House reached that goal with the help of students from two local partners, Hearst and Watkins elementary schools in the District, which conducted their own miniwalks.

"This is the third year in a row that Temple Micah reached that goal," Micah House board president Ed Lazere said. He added, however, that the 2007 totals of money and walkers were slightly less than in the previous two years.

The annual event is the largest source of funds for Micah House, a transitional home for women in recovery from substance abuse.

The walkathon is organized by the temple's religious school. It serves not only to raise money for Micah House, but also to educate young people about homelessness. Registration fees are paid by those who walk for the temple; school walkers do not pay.

Planning for the 2008 temple walk--on Oct. 26--is already under way, with the goal of increasing participation significantly. If 1,000 walkers turn out, Micah House will receive an incentive award of $20,000.

[By Genie Grohman; from May 2008 Vine]