On Saturday, November 7th, GRIP welcomed a vibrant crowd to Nicholl Park for our 40th annual Harmony Walk! Our returning emcee, Dan Noyes from ABC7 News, kicked off the morning while attendees came in to grab snacks and buy raffle tickets, shirts, and stickers. Those gathered heard remarks from Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice Co-Director Peter Kim, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, incoming Mayor-elect Claudia Jimenez, RPD Crime Prevention Manager and poet Michelle Milam, entrepreneur and poetic artist Jose Cordon, leaders from the GRIP Board and staff team, and more. Some big-ticket prizes were raffled off, including two brand-new, street-style bikes from longtime supporter The Pedaler, gift certificates to beloved local restaurants, a goodie basket from Seven Stars Holistic Healing Center, and of course, two tickets to Disneyland. Those who participated in the event’s short walk enjoyed a tour of GRIP’s shelter facility. Back at the park, the lively band Suitcase Full of Funk kept the energy flowing as attendees mingled and visited the 75+ local businesses and community-based organizations who came out to table. Several big hits included the kids’ obstacle course at KidStrong Richmond, the craft table at Johnnie Greenstock, and the adorable (and adoptable!) puppies from local shelters Jelly’s Place and the Milo Foundation. Suffice to say, a number of people went home with bigger families than they came with!
“As we celebrate 40 years of the Harmony Walk and 60 years of GRIP, we continue to be incredibly grateful for the community that supports us and always shows up for our unhoused neighbors,” remarked Committee Chair Jillian de la Torre. “From the weekly congregational volunteers, to the high school interns, to the hardworking staff that make GRIP run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we could not do what we do without the strong community that makes GRIP who we are.”
We are so grateful for the support of our sponsors, our GRIP staff and Board, our Junior League volunteers, the Curbside Kitchen team, and everyone who came out to make our event special and memorable. Thank you all for helping us put on another great Harmony Walk in the Park. We can’t wait for next year!
