Walk to End Global Poverty at Dallas PartnershipsInAction Walk

DALLAS, TEXAS, October 29, 2011. On October 29, 2011, over 5,000 are expected to walk to end global poverty in the 17th annual Partnership Walk at The Shops at Legacy in Plano, Texas. The Dallas Partnership Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds that reduce poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health in Africa and Asia.
 

Dallas’s 2011 Walk raised $630,000. 100% of the funds raised at Partnership Walk go directly to projects sponsored by the Foundation; not a cent is spent on administration.

 

 

Additionally, over $60,000 were raised by Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s photography exhibit entitled, “And on the Last Day…Plant a Tree” that raised awareness about the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) ongoing environment activities and aligned with this year’s theme of “Building Resilient Communities.” Donations raised from the exhibit will benefit projects supported by Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for Environment.


The event featured a 5K competitive Run, a 1K Youth Fun Run along with the 3K family Walk. The Walk also featured lively entertainment and activities for all ages celebrating the diversity of world cultures. One of Partnership Walk’s most inspiring features was the Village in Action showcasing AKF USA projects in Africa and Asia that help communities to become self-sufficient and overcome the obstacles of poverty. At the Village in Action, visitors circulated through exhibits on a global citizen’s journey to learn about energy-efficient home improvements in Pakistan, a tree-planting campaign in Kenya in partnership with the Lions Clubs International, health care for mothers and children in India, microfinance solutions that lift the poor out of poverty, and the positive impact of girls’ education in Afghanistan. 


The Walk attracted many high-profile guests and civic leaders including guest speaker Plano Mayor Pro Tem Pat Miner who, on behalf of Plano’s mayor and city council, noted the importance of AKF’s projects and “Proclaimed today, Saturday, October 29, 2011 Partnership Walk and Run Day in Plano. We encourage all citizens to join us in congratulating you, the runners and walkers, and your great willingness to give your time and effort is greatly appreciated. Plano also thanks those for organizing, contributing and sponsoring, and we thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place.” Serving as master of ceremonies for the morning program was CBS 11 Reporter Arezow Doost. Bob Ray Sanders, editor and columnist for the Fort Worth Star Telegram hosted as master of ceremonies for the afternoon program. Other distinguished guests included Mathew Marchant, Mayor, City of Carrollton; Lisa Sutter, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Carrollton, and S. Zulfi Sadeque, Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner, Canadian Consulate General.

 

Read the entire press release here.