By Armando Machado | Correspondent

About 250 men, women and children – and several pet canines – braved a sunny but chilly spring morning to walk and help raise funds for Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton. The Walk of Hope, which took place March 28 at Mercer County Park, West Windsor, is designed to help reduce poverty, promote recovery and strengthen families.

 Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., served as honorary chair of the second annual walk. Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities, thanked volunteers and walkers for taking the time to help in the effort. And she expressed particular gratitude to two households that helped promote this year’s event – the Pacheco family and the Rivas-Jimenez family. Both families have received help and support from Catholic Charities Trenton, and members of both households took part in the walk, which raised $17,500.

 “I want to extend my appreciation,” Lao-Collins said, noting that the program simultaneously raises money and awareness.

 In all, about 28 Walk of Hope teams were formed, totaling about 250 people, said Jennifer Leip, a Catholic Charities staff member. There were about 200 registered participants and about 50 walk-ins, Leip said. The teams included people from parishes, schools and community groups. The 3.2-mile event route was the main walking path within the park.

 “It was fun; it was really great. It’s good to come out and help a good cause,” Mary Marino, a junior in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, said after the walk. “They (CC staffers) do a lot of great things; they help the homeless and anyone who is really struggling.” 

Hope Bauch, a teacher in Notre Dame, walked with her daughter Brennan Pinto, 11, and son, Mike Pinto, 8. “I think it’s absolutely amazing; they do a great job – they help a lot of people,” Bauch said after the walk, adding that she was a walker last year and plans to walk next year.

She noted that several fellow walkers took particular cheerful note of her first name being a perfect fit with the name of the event.

 The Rivas-Jimenez family was assisted by Catholic Charities after Jose Rivas, 7, suffered severe injuries Dec. 14 when his right foot got caught at the side of an escalator step at the Oxford Valley Mall, Langhorne, Pa. Jose received surgical treatment and was bed-bound for several weeks; he started using a wheelchair in January – and began to walk again the week of Feb. 23, much earlier than anticipated. But recuperation continues.

Jose and his mother, Maria Jimenez, said they are very thankful for Catholic Charities, and that they were glad to help with the event. “Estoy muy feliz (I am very happy),” Jose’s mother said before the walk. The family are members of Our Lady of Angels Parish, Trenton.

 The help Catholic Charities provided for the Pacheco family stemmed from when Adan Pacheco and his mother walked from Mexico into the Arizona desert 10 years ago when Adan was 10 years old – and traveled to New Jersey to begin a new life. Pacheco now works for Catholic Charities as a case aide, and he served as this year’s honored walker in the Walk of Hope.

 “Thank you for coming here today for the Walk of Hope,” Pacheco said before the walk. “I appreciate you…Let’s get ready to walk.”

 Msgr. Ronald Bacovin, a retired priest of the Diocese and pastor emeritus of St. James Parish, Pennington, provided a blessing before the walk. Close to 400 people participated last year, raising a net of $30,000. Organizers had hoped to draw as many or more this year. “The winter was rough. I think people are still trying to recuperate from that,” Lao-Collins noted.

For more information on the Walk of Hope and other programs of Catholic Charities call (609) 394-5181.