As you know, the Walk and Roll for Hope is near and dear to my heart. It has been a revenue source we’ve utilized for 50 years to help stabilize and maintain services and housing for Alaskans with differing abilities. The dynamics of this year’s Walk have changed considerably thanks to COVID-19, shifting to virtual rather than our tradition of gathering together.

Hope serves a vulnerable population with limited resources relying on Hope to provide safe and affordable housing. Hope subsidizes the cost of operating and maintaining 70 assisted living homes throughout the state in the amount of over 1 million dollars a year. Lost revenue and increased expenses due to COVID-19 jeopardizes our ability to continue the subsidy at this level, leaving support recipients at risk of losing affordable housing.

I know so many are affected by the pandemic and everyone is being asked to give to one cause or another. I hope you will keep my cause in mind and help me reach my goal. Every bit counts, now more than ever!