The GRIP Harmony Walk is back in person October 22nd, 2022 starting at 9 a.m. with community events at Nicholl Park in Richmond, Calif., a 5K run and a shorter walking course, with incredible raffle prizes all morning (must be present to win) followed by musical performances from local groups, a bounce house and activities for kids, and a chance to meet GRIP’s frontline workers providing services for 15,000 people across western Contra Costa County, along with local dignitaries plus a few surprises.
The event begins at 9 a.m. with a pre-walk, pre-run warmup. The race starts at 9:30 a.m. with 5K runners in front, followed by walkers doing a shorter 1-mile course. As the walkers and runners return around 10:00, our program continues with announcements of the winners, performances from local student groups, and a chance to learn about the amazing organizations working for the people of the West County and Richmond.
Thousands of dollars worth of raffle prizes will be given to registrants, ranging from dinners at fine dining to a sauna trip for two, a bicycle, and an incredibly valuable destination prize involving a Southern California amusement park that GRIP will announce. Prizes will be given away as soon as the racers return, with the random drawing lasting until the last prize is given out later that morning. All winners must be present when their number is called and present a valid ticket to receive the prize.
TEAMS: Even better than a single registration is registering as either a walking team or running team. Get three or more people together from your church, synagogue, mosque and other faith community, community group, or workplace or youth group. Teams get additional perks and have their team name and support for GRIP announced over the public address system.
WHAT: Every $35 registrant gets a Harmony Walk T-shirt while supplies last, registration for the walk or run depending on which they choose, admission to Nicholl Park and the community events, and free admission to the bounce house for kids 12 and under, plus a raffle prize ticket. Register online for the 2022 Harmony Walk here. UPDATE: We now have KID prices! Just $15 for our younger supporters, so you can take your whole family.
WHERE: The race and walk begins and ends at Nicholl Park at 230 MacDonald Avenue near 33rd Street in Richmond, Calif. The walk will proceed west along MacDonald, turning southwest on Broadway to Carlson where they go west one block to GRIP, with walkers passing the GRIP shelter and soup kitchen before heading back, and runners continuing from Carlson, north on 22nd St. for half a block, before looping down the 23rd Street ramp taking them under the railroad tracks and up toward the Kaiser Wellness Trail and the Richmond Greenway where you’ll run past Dirt World Bike Skills Park, past Urban Tilth’s Edible Forest, and Unity Park Community Plaza, down the greenway now past Pogo Park #2 / Harbour Park – 8. Then, the route proceeds up the Iron Triangle Yellow Brick Road to Kaiser on MacDonald, then back east to the finish line at Nicholl Park. (Scroll down to see the racecourse photo gallery below!)
WHEN: Arrive by 9:00 am if you plan on participating in the 5k walk/fun run. The timed run will begin at 9:30 am sharp. To claim a raffle prize, you’ll need to be present when your number is read, and the raffle begins at 10 a.m.
WHY: The Harmony Walk is a critically important event that brings in the majority of GRIP’s individual donor funding for the year, allowing GRIP to continue to carry out needed services for our community.
HOW: We want to share a huge thank you to our sponsors Kaiser Permanente, Chevron, Sims Metal Management, Audacy Radio, ABC7 News, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
GRIP Organization and Mission
GRIP is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic coalition of congregations from varied faiths working together as a diverse and inclusive coalition dedicated to helping those of our community in need to transition to self-sufficiency.
Our mission statement: “Responding to the Call to Service, GRIP transforms the lives of homeless, hungry and disenfranchised people.”
Over the years, GRIP, in keeping with its mission has evolved from a small community food pantry to a multiservice agency, which serves 15,000 homeless, hungry, and low-income consumers annually. GRIP has provided emergency shelter and housing for families since 1993. The Souper Center provides meals and basic needs to the community since GRIP’s inception in 1966. Our dedicated 41-member congregations are our front line of volunteers and support. This year, GRIP celebrates 56 years providing services to the community.
