The 5th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk was held on Saturday, Sept. 15. Thanks to your help and support, the walk raised more than $11,000 for area St. Vincent de Paul Societies. All the money raised stays in the local St. Vincent de Paul conferences to be used for direct and immediate aid to those in need.

We would like to thank the following individuals and business for their support:

Gold sponsors — St. Mary’s Nursing and Rehab Center, ASEC, Chick-fil-A, BP Fueling Communities, Café des Artistes, Ernie and Anne Bell, SMECO, Leonardtown Knights of Columbus, Town Cleaners, Printing Press, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Queentree Management, College of Southern Maryland, barefoot graphics, William J. Fitzgerald, CSC Applied Technology Group and Fredco, Inc.

Silver sponsors — Blue Heron Services, Burch Oil, Wyle, J.F. Taylor Inc., Wathen’s Electric and JP Wathen’s Plumbing.

Bronze sponsors — Hollywood Lions Club, Carol and Ray Trgina, Brinsfield Echols Funeral Home, Tom Hodges Auto Sales, Verghese & Ling, J. Walt Neal, Dr. Joyce Neal, John & Vicki Wenke, Precise Systems, Eagle Systems, International Liquors, Michael A. Guy, Taylor Gas, Wells Fargo Financial Advisors — Steve Richardson,

Donations — 84 Lumber, Jen and Ron Soroka, and Dunkin Donuts.

Door prizes were donated by Brewing Grounds, Hong Kong Buffett, Ada Russell, Sue and Walter Johnson, Ella Neal, Outback Steak House, Ray and Carol Trgina, John and Vicki Wenke, Traditions of Loveville, Gloria Ramos, Queentree Management, Peggy Gray, Debbie and Bob Brookins, Good Earth Natural Foods, Barbara Brown, Lola Belle Company, Frances Dicus, Palmer Lacey, Vicki Lydon — Longaberger Consultant, Rose Miller, Mickey’s Tux Taxi, Port of Leonardtown Winery, Trish Lea — Century 21 New Millennium, Saraha Norris, Corrie Gallo, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Texas Road House, D.B. McMillan Pub and Grill, Guenther’s Bistro, St. John’s Pharmacy, Sharon Nicholson, Kevin’s Corner Kafe, Salsa’s Mexican Café, Precision Tune, Bob Evans and Oga’s Chinese & Japanese Cuisine.

We would like to acknowledge and thank Jimmy Dicus, Jamie Thomas and Kevin Cain for their help and support. Thank you to the Rev. John Dakes and Father Andrew White School. Thank you to Debbie Brookins for organizing a fabulous brunch and to the Ladies of Charity at St. Aloysius Church for serving. Thank you to Gloria Ramos; your voice is a gift. Thank you to Mickey Ramos, Bobby Schaller, Larry Jarboe, Dennis Logan and Susan St. George for providing the music and to David Kalil for providing the sound system; you guys rocked. Thanks to John Burroughs for taking walk-day photos. Thanks to the Leonardtown Rescue Squad for being there in event of an emergency and to Health Connections from St. Mary’s Hospital. Thanks to Kyle Belanger, Jen Soroka, Sue and Walter Johnson, Gloria Ramos, Peggy and Matt Menard, Rose Miller, Saraha Norris, Mike McCauley, and Boy Scout Troop 1634 for all their help.

Thanks to Ernie Bell, who arranged to have the Old Jail on Courthouse Drive where the Historical Society Museum Visitor Center is located, open for walkers to visit.

Thank you to John Wenke for being master of ceremonies and for all his support. To my children Emily and Kyle Belanger, thank you for your love and support. Lastly, thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who helped out on walk day and to the hundreds of walkers who make this walk a success. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many.

Patty Belanger, Vicki Wenke

The writers are co-chairs of the Friends of the Poor Walk in Leonardtown.