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Hernando Today

Walking for the poor

HT photo by BOB EAST III

A group of walkers crosses the Suncoast Trail walkway over Cortez Boulevard Saturday as they near the finish line of the Friends of the Poor Walk.

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: September 27, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - As more people drop below poverty level, more are lining up to give them what they need.

Those charitable-minded folks showed up in large numbers Saturday morning at the Suncoast Trail off Gar Road.

In all, more than 250 people participated in the "Friends of the Poor Walk." The event was organized by the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, which provides community support through food donations and financial assistance.

"In my case, I'm doing it because this was my mother's favorite cause," said Jo Rotella, who walked the five kilometers with her husband, Ron. "She was a very generous person. She'd give someone the food out of her mouth."

The walk was designed to raise awareness and increase the number of people who want to help those living in poverty. Those numbers have risen in Hernando County due to the housing crisis and escalating unemployment.

Stephanie Henchey was among the hoard of walkers Saturday morning. She was joined by co-workers Terry Graves and Velvet Baxley. They work for Horizon Homecare, which offers health care services for seniors.

"We've seen it a lot, especially this past year," said Henchey of the harshness of the current market. "You can see how the economy has affected our patients and what they have to live without."

St. Vincent De Paul aims to meet the growing need for assistance with food, utility bills, clothing, furniture, rent and mortgages, said Joan Cornetta, who helped organize the walk along with her husband.

"Everyone who walks raises money," said Cornetta, who relished at the thought of more funds that could be used for the group's food pantry and other programs.

Her hard work began the night before as she prepared for the start of the walk.

"I know last night I folded all of these shirts," she said. "I must've folded 266 shirts ... and I don't think there are that many left."

A number of students from Pasco-Hernando Community College joined the pack and walked for charity.

Among them was Angela Conner, of Spring Hill, who learned about the event through her professor in the psychology department.

"All of the funds that are raised actually stay here locally," said Conner. "We're helping our neighbors, those in our area ... When I heard about it, I was like 'I'm in on that.'"

For more information about St. Vincent De Paul, call Woody Cornetta at 352-596-4730.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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