"Ready for life:" Packers HaHa Clinton-Dix leads the way during 27th annual Walk for Children
MILWAUKEE -- The success of our future begins with our children. More than 1,000 people braved the cold on Saturday, May 14th and walked in support of early education -- including major star power leading the charge.
Green Bay Packers HaHa Clinton-Dix walked among a sea of kids sharing his story on Saturday.
"At one point in time I was there age and went through a lot of obstacles as a kid," said Clinton-Dix.
The Packers safety led the 27th annual Walk for Children supporting Milwaukee's Next Door organization.
"It means a lot to team up with Next Door, come out and give back. It's a great cause. Kids are very important in the world and they are our future," said Clinton-Dix.
HaHa Clinton-Dix
Max Seigle with Next Door, says what a child learns the first six years of life has the greatest impacts.
To help encourage literacy and education, Next Door also unveiled its 'Books for Kids' mobile library and handed out a free book to every child who came through.
"We are all about getting our kids ready for school and ready for life. We do that through a number of early childhood education programs like Head Start, we also have a charter school, K4 and K5 charter school, even have a year-round program called Educare," said Seigle.
Walk for Children
"I do have a lot of nieces and nephews who have went through Head Start and it's a nice avenue, especially Next Door -- feeling that they are in the community working with everyone to make sure education is a number one priority," said Anelia Patterson, walking for education.
Walk for Children
More than 1,600 participants registered for the mile walk. Proceeds will go to programs for both children and parents.
"We do help parents as well, we offer prenatal services for helping the mothers before the children are born, and then we're carrying on, helping with resources like adult education and fatherhood programs. We are trying to help the whole family succeed," said Seigle.
Each stride taken was a step toward rallying for the future.
"Education is very important the quicker they can learn the quicker the can understand the world and become somebody. Maybe our next future president or investor -- someone we need in this world," said Clinton-Dix.
Walk for Children