EM VET WALK-A-THON

Starting as a North Branch High School student's English Project, Em-Vet became a non-profit organization that helps benefit military personal, veterans, and their families who cannot afford the basic necessities because of the struggling times. One of the ways the organization raises funds in through a walk-a-thon.
Hannah Arman, North Branch H.S. junior, started the non-profit organization back in May of this year and throughout last summer she has been raising money for veterans and their families.
Hannah wanted to start something that would better her community and would help veterans. Hannah who is part of the Lapeer County Young Marines, thought that by starting Em-Vet she would be able to make an impact on on people's lives and help out with something that she loves to do.
After Hannah and volunteers from the young marines came up with the idea of the county-wide walk-a-thon, weeks of handing out flyers and gathering pledges ensued. Finally Saturday, Oct 15th arrived. The walkers were ready and things where in full “stride".
Despite the torrid fall weather which deterred many from outside activities, this group of dedicated walkers followed through with their task of supporting our military personal. I joined Hannah and her many friends in the walk-a-thon and she had a wonderful turnout of over 30 people from around the county that came to participate in the walk.
The Young Marines marked the beginning of the event, led by Hannah, in the Pledge of Allegiance. Then when we were all bundled up in hats, gloves, scarves and coats upon coats, we made our first lap against the elements around the track outside of the Elementary School in North Branch. We walked half of the track then were led by the Young Marines to jog the last half.
After the first lap with noses reddened from the cold and fingers numbed from the frigid fall winds, we decided to go inside and walk through the Elementary hallways to warm ourselves.
As we made our way to the building, we made a quick stop for a hot chocolate and homemade cookies that Hannah’s mother had prepared late into the night on Friday. They were perhaps the best cookies I have ever had, however because of the amount that I had eaten, I was forced to walk another lap.
The walk was a lot of fun. The Young Marines led us in cadence which could be heard echoing through the halls as we strode lap after lap. Occasionally I would wait for others to catch up and talk with them while as I took a break. It was also a great chance for me to sneak in another homemade cookie or two. The walk started at 9 A.M. and seemed to fly by as it ended at noon.
The event kept Hannah extremely busy between walking and singing cadences. I finally was able to talk with Hannah and ask her some questions about how the event turned out. Hannah was more than impressed with the turn-out and the funds that were raised.
“It was a big success,” she said. Since her only article in the paper was such a little blurb she wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. As for the money that was raised, that was even more surprising. Hannah had anticipated raising about fifteen hundred dollars. Her face filled up with joy when she told me the pledges had totaled over two thousand dollars. The people who walked had averaged about two hundred dollar’s a piece in pledges. “This,” Hannah said, “was worth it.”
There were a lot of reasons that the day was worth it for me...first, would be the opportunity to support the cause of a friend. The homemade cookies would definitely be on the list and, most importantly, it is always a good memory when you get the chance to show someone how much you appreciate their sacrifices for our country.

~Ashley Beth

******Thanks to Hannah Arman and the Lapeer County Young Marines for doing this walk-a-thon and supporting our military. Anyone wishing to make contributions or assist Hannah Arman with EM-VET may do so by contacting her at http://em-vetfoundation.weebly.com/index.html