Walking the Walk

For years now, Representative Patrick Williams has been focused on helping children within the Shreveport community raise awareness about childhood obesity and autism. Through this passion of helping children, Williams helped fuel a walk in which he named “Walking the Walk” which hit its seventh year as an annual event. 

        

“Walking the Walk” begins at the start of every legislative session and is a 226-mile trek from Shreveport to the steps of Louisiana’s State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The walk helps raise awareness about childhood obesity and autism with the help of participants’ registration fees.  Sponsorships within the community, such as Blue Cross And Blue Shield of Louisiana, and the Odyssey Foundation have also helped every year to raise money that goes directly to families who are living with individuals of the Autism Spectrum Disorder and who are living with obesity, to help provide and assist them with the latest resource materials. The money also continues to help fund the Autism Resource Library located in Shreveport.

 

For the walk, Williams worked closely with the Odyssey Foundation, which is committed to “reducing childhood obesity and illnesses that affect the growth and development of children.” These words are what Patrick Williams continues to work by when it comes to children illnesses.  

Patrick Williams is also a main participant in this walk and tries to encourage and maintain roughly 20 miles a day to get to the State Capitol. The journeys usually ranged from 12-15 days to completion with over 300 participants annually.

 

Through William’s efforts on this awareness and start of this walk, he was named Legislator of the Year by the YMCA and State Representative of the Year by the Louisiana Assembly on School Based Health Care. Williams understands that childhood illnesses and epidemics such as obesity and autism are growing in the state and country, and he’s committed to doing whatever necessary to move Louisiana forward if elected Mayor to resolve these issues affecting our children.

 

This April will mark the seventh year for “Walk the Walk”. Patrick Williams plans to once again participate in honor of Shreveport’s children. The Odyssey Foundation provides more information about how you can join Patrick to “Walk the Walk”! 

 

Details are as follows: 

 

What: 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Autism Resource Library in Shreveport, Louisiana.
When: Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 8:00am to 12:00pm.
Where: Stoner Boat Launch located on Clyde Fant Parkway

Registration:
$25 for Adults
$10 for Children under 18 and College Students with an ID at any age
$15 for Senior Citizens over 65

Can’t make it to the event? No matter! You can always donate.Patrick, the Odyssey Foundation,
and the children of Shreveport thank you!