Nearly 90 degree temperatures didn't stop about 4,000 people from joining Focus: HOPE's 33 rd Annual WALK for Diversity on October 7.

Staying cool with water, juice, ice-cream, and popsicles, they made the two-mile walk in support of Focus: HOPE's mission and raised $175,000 for scholarships for its education and training programs.

Eleanor Josaitis, Focus: HOPE co-founder, was grateful for the enthusiastic participation in the annual event.

“Focus: HOPE's mission for the last 39 years has been intelligent and practical action to overcome racism and poverty,” Josaitis said.

“Our annual WALK exemplifies that mission when people of different ages, races, religions, and ethnicities come together to celebrate our diversity and support the work we do. I thank all the people who have supported us through the years through volunteerism and financial support. We work hard to repay the trust people place in us and hope we can count on continued financial support and partnerships.”

This year's theme of “Be a WALK Star” emphasized the important and much appreciated role each individual plays in opening the doors of education and career opportunities, in particular for minorities and the economically-disadvantaged.

Steve Sorenson, of Ann Arbor, spent most of his time at the children's activities with his sons and daughters. It was the 46-year-old's first time attending the WALK even though he has known about it for years.

“I wanted to do it particularly this year because we have a multi-racial family,” Sorenson said. “I wanted them to get experience amongst a lot of cultural backgrounds. My wife and I are white, my (seven) biological kids are white, and we have two adopted children from Haiti, two African-American girls, and two Guatemalan sons. They're still a little young to understand what the walk really means, but the experience of them being here is really good for them. We plan to come back again as long as we can.”

The Contours dazzled the crowd.

Charles Pugh, part of the FOX 2 Problem Solvers Unit and a co-anchor of FOX 2 News Weekend, served as this year's master of ceremonies. The University of Michigan Fanfare Band and the Calico Troop of the Buffalo Soldiers led the WALK. The Buffalo Soldiers were established by Congress in 1866 as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army.

When walkers returned to the Focus: HOPE campus on Oakman Boulevard they enjoyed freshly grilled foods and entertainment. Performers included Motown's Contours, known for their upbeat hit, “Do You Love Me”; Salsa band La Inspiracion; Wendell Harrison and Friends who dazzled the crowd with jazz, and Friends of Focus: HOPE folk singers.

Bernice Morgan, of Detroit, had missed the last few WALKs to care for an ill family member but was happy to be back this year.

“I've been coming since the WALK first started,” said Morgan, 73, who receives food through Focus: HOPE's Commodity Supplemental Food Program. “I walked (when the route was) eight miles. This was my first time walking a shortened walk and it was really easy. Everything is nice. We need to continue this.”

Platinum sponsors for the WALK were JP Morgan Chase, Chrysler LLC, and Chrysler Financial. Gold sponsors were DENSO International America, Inc. and Microsoft.

Above, Charles Pugh leads the program with Focus:    HOPE Co-founder Eleanor Josaitis. At left, a child models the artistic hat she created as part of the children's activities.

Photos by John Lewis