One Final Walk for Maryellen

Fifteen years.
“It feels like the right time for our grand finale,” says Jayne Jones, one of the organizers of the Holliston-grown Walk Against Breast Cancer, inspired by the strength of their friend Maryellen Anne Miller, mother of four from Holliston, in her battle against the disease. Other members of the committee include Kathy Chisholm, Katie Connors, Denise Cronin, Maryann Marcoux, Pam Poor and Dawn Waddell.
“We just loved Maryellen so much,” says Jones, of her friend, who later passed in 2008. “I think in spirit she’s with us.”
Since it began, Holliston’s Walk Against Breast Cancer has raised $640,000 for Dana Farber Cancer Institute, giving 100% of walker donations to the cause thanks to generous sponsorship. The benefit walk, rerouted last year, becoming a 5K (3.2 miles) to include the Holliston Rail Trail, passing by the memorial bench there in Maryellen’s name, has received overwhelming support from the community.
“When we started The Walk back in 2003, we never imagined the enormous support and longevity that the event would continue to generate. We only thought we’d do it for a year and see what happens, then it was ‘Let’s go five years!’ then, ‘Lets’ go 10 years!” says Jones. “At this 15-year milestone, it feels like the right time for our grand finale. We continue to celebrate the hundreds of walkers who participate each year, our increasingly generous sponsors and tireless volunteers. We are looking forward to another very successful Walk on October 15th!”
Walkers, runners, strollers and dogs on leash will head out through town for the 15th and Final Walk Against Breast Cancer at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 15 at the Congregational Church Green. Registration and check-in is 12–1 p.m. at upper Town Hall. Minimum fundraising/registration is $100 for adult walkers, $50 for seniors and students. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. If you’d like to join in, visit www.hollistonwalks.org to register.
Jones says that the grassroots group cannot say enough about the wonderful support it has received from sponsors, volunteers from the Holliston community, the local auxiliary police, sports teams and more.
“Most of our sponsors have consistently come back year after year, and we’re so grateful for them,” says Jones. “Besides the sponsors, we just really want to thank the town, the walkers, the police, the people who have allowed us to use their yard to put up signs/organizations who’ve allowed us to put posters to advertise, various groups and businesses that have sponsored us collectively and individually. The minute we said we wanted to do a walk, people just said ok. It wasn’t even a question; it was, what do you need? People put things in the church brochure. I’ve gone to pick up balloons at Fiske’s, and John will say, ‘no charge,’” she says.
One such person is Jen Noveline, a graphic designer who has been donating her design each year for the t-shirt. Noveline does this despite having moved from Holliston several years ago, says Jones.
Other businesses have held annual events for the walk as well as for a scholarship in Maryellen’s name. The Movement Project Performance Company of Annemarie’s Dance Centre will host a benefit at Holliston Upper Town Hall on October 13th, with 100% of all proceeds were donated to the Maryellen Miller Scholarship Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and The Grapevine is planning its Pink Event October 26th.
Although organizers still have yet to confirm all of this year’s sponsors and is still accepting sponsorship, this year, five $1,000 sponsors had confirmed at press time, including Main Effort Financial, Dr. Jacobson, and Superette as Banner Sponsors, WAAF Radio Station and Rodenheiser as sleeve sponsors. In addition, Moe’s in Bellingham will provide refreshments for the Walk. Please check the Walk’s website, www.hollistonwalks.org for a list of full sponsors closer to the event.
Numerous businesses have also supplied prizes for the Walk’s annual silent auction over the years. Tickets for the drawing will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. the day of the Walk.
Suggested donations for the tickets are 1 for $5, 3 for $10, 8 for $20. If you would like to donate to the silent auction, contact Katie Connors at connors.kate@gmail.com or call (508) 259-6162
Overall, says Jones, “We want to say Thank You to Holliston, and we support our community coming out to make a difference, in all kinds of weather. We’ve had snow, and we’ve had 85 degrees,” she says, with not only walkers, but people to “cheer us on as we walk through the neighborhood.”
The day’s walk will also include food, music provided by Hillbilly Pop and a Grand Prize Drawing in addition to the silent auction.
If you would like to be involved, but are unable to walk or volunteer, please consider donating to the FINAL Walk Against Breast Cancer at hollistonwalks.org or send a check, payable to “Holliston Walks for Dana Farber,” to:
Holliston Walks Against Breast Cancer
c/o Kathy Chisholm
72 Kim Place
Holliston, MA 01746