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Peabody charity offers a chance for supporters to walk their own paths

By Anne Marie Tobin | March 27, 2020

PEABODY — With all but essential services on hold and a shelter-in-place advisory in effect in the Commonwealth, one local charity has found a creative way to stay true to its mission and keep its fundraising events on course.

Faith and Concern, Inc., a church-based organization in Peabody, has rebranded its 45th Annual Walk for Haiti. The motto this year’s event, to be held April 10, is, “Walking on a Different Path … Together.”

While the actual on-site, group walk has been canceled because of government restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, event organizers are encouraging supporters to instead walk on their own on Good Friday, in support of one common goal, despite the fact that supporters will be walking “different paths.”

This year’s walk is the first without Faith and Concern, Inc. founder and former president, Micheline Vareika. A native of Brussels, Belgium, and longtime resident of Peabody, Vareika died at the age of 84 on Nov. 7, 2019. A former teacher, Vareika visited Haiti 50 years ago and was struck by the level of poverty she observed. She went on to found Faith and Concern, Inc. in 2002.

“She was so impressed by the depth of despair that she vowed to do something about it,” said Faith and Concern, Inc. Treasurer Gail Bowlds. “She would take people to Haiti and stay with the people, not in hotels, to experience their standard of living. She really inspired so many people to get involved and form groups to raise awareness and money. Her message really blossomed and spread into other states, like Virginia and Connecticut. Her death leaves a huge legacy.”

Bowlds said the event has raised more than $750,000 since its inception. Last year’s event, held at the track adjacent to the Torigian Senior Center, attracted approximately 40 participants who raised a little more than $8,000.

Every dollar raised from the walk will be sent directly to Haiti where it will be used for education.

“As tough as we may think we have it, we are still so very fortunate compared to the people of Haiti, who are living in a state of constant unrest,” said Bowlds. “In this country, we have snow days, but in Haiti they have unrest days when the level of violence makes it unsafe for people to leave their homes, let alone go to school in a uniform. Conditions have never been worse for them. We feel that anything we can do to educate them is hope for the future.

“With what’s going on in our country and the world today, perhaps we can all have a better understanding of what it’s like for the people of Haiti who go without basic services that we take for granted.”

Donations may be sent to Faith and Concern, Inc., 6 Wildwood Drive, Peabody, MA 01960.. For further details, contact Bowlds at (978) 535-1431; Edith Burns at (781) 598-1838 or Karen Smith at (978) 618-4992.

“We have no idea how many people will join us this year, but hopefully people will come out and support our cause so we can help the people of Haiti, who are doing so much to help those who need it most,” said Bowlds.

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