From Maine to Mississippi, hundreds of supporters gathered on Saturday, Sept. 18 to raise funds for Gillette Children’s. The annual Walk & Roll event began at Gillette in 2016, and traditionally had been held as an in-person event in Saint Paul, MN. It offers patients, families, and community members a way to connect with one another in support of Gillette’s mission.  

In planning for the 2021 Walk & Roll event, organizers faced the challenge of navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic while still preserving the strong feeling of community connection. “Although we were disappointed to not be able to gather together, we are grateful that the combination of a virtual event and several hosted community meetup locations gave supporters across the country and around the world a chance to be a part of the fun,” says Heather Hammond, Gillette’s Events & Annual Giving Officer.  

Most Walk & Roll participants joined from their own neighborhoods, while dozens more gathered at each of four community meetup locations. 2021 Walk & Roll ambassador, 5-year-old Harrison Clausnitzer and his family hosted a location in Lakeville, MN. Other locations included Woodbury, MN; Eden Prairie, MN; and Scarborough, ME.  

By Sept. 18, participants in the 2021 Walk & Roll raised over $70,000 together in support of Gillette’s mission. Donations will power leading-edge research, expert care, and financial assistance programs. Every dollar raised has a direct impact in the lives of the patients and families served by Gillette.  

The 2021 Walk & Roll: Neighborhood Edition was made possible through generous sponsorship from lead sponsor US Bank as well as Handi Medical Supply, Hunt Electric Corporation and Land O’Lakes, Inc.