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It was a chilly spring day, but the MOPS group from North Side Baptist Church in Weatherford, Texas, was undaunted. Despite the weather, the stage was set for a perfect day. Months of planning and organizing had finally culminated in an event that would help this group to not only raise needed money, but also to connect families with the community in a unique and meaningful way.

Months before, the MOPS Steering Team had decided that instead of simply holding a fundraiser, they wanted to impact the community at the same time. The team quickly realized this would mean stepping outside their comfort zones. With a leap of faith and prayer, the group decided to hold a Great Moms Walk to help accomplish both needs.

The MOPS Steering Team realized that in order for the Great Moms Walk to have the impact they envisioned, they would need a proclamation, so the group's first step was to contact the local county judge. The proclamation was granted and delivered in full style in the commissioner's court. And the MOPS Steering Team was given the opportunity to present MOPS to the court and audience. The local newspaper even covered the event. Excitement and anticipation for the walk were building.

The big day for the Great Moms Walk finally arrived, and the festivities began. It didn't take long for more than 24 families to join the scene, armed with strollers, balloons and good walking shoes. The MOPS group recruited the local Weatherford High School mascots, the Mighty Blue Roos, to motivate the crowd. And members of the local police and fire departments joined the walkers, too. They helped greet new arrivals and gave tours of their emergency vehicles to the kids.

For walkers who needed a little break, a few high-school art students painted faces. The MOPS group arranged for these students to earn community service hours at the same time.

By the end of the day, the Great Moms Walk had clearly been a success. Not only did the MOPS group have a great fundraiser, but they also made a strong community connection. Each family received a bag containing items from the local library, Red Cross chapter, the parks and recreation department, as well as many businesses in the area.

Families also walked away knowing more about MOPS, as well as other community organizations. Many of the participants were new to the community, and this was a huge benefit. As Karen Danford, Finance Team Leader for the group, said, "We know that the Great Moms Walk provided us with a tremendous opportunity to fundraise and to extend our outreach beyond what we were doing in a very positive and fun way!"

Jessica Potter lives in Aurora, Colorado, with her husband and enjoys hiking and traveling in her free time. She is the Group Services Coordinator at MOPS International.

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