7 Miles for 7 Generations held last weekend

The annual 7 Miles for 7 Generations walk to benefit the construction costs of the Diabetes Center for Excellence, which has officially begun with phase one of development over the summer. 65 participants had registered for the walk and are still collecting their pledges this week, so the official amount collected by the registrants will be announced at a later date. All monies raised will be put towards fundraising for phase two of the project.

As an incentive of the walk four bikes were raffled off with two youth sized bikes and two adult sized bikes. Tickets were given for each participant who collected at least $25 and additional tickets for each $25 increment after that. Another way to earn raffle tickets for the bike was based upon the number of laps walked during the event. For each successful lap made the registrant earned a ticket for a max total of 14 tickets for the entire 7-mile walk. 95% of the walkers made it the entire 7-miles, while those who didn’t had trouble on the uneven terrain of the walking trail.

12-year-old Tisha Benedict was one of the successful winners of the adult bike raffle. Showing up that morning she was bound and determined to take home a bike by the end of the day. Tisha had raised over $250 in pledge money and was going to get additional tickets once she completed her 7-miles. Unfortunately, Tisha began feeling ill mid-way through the walk and was unable to finish. Her determination to continue walking despite her feeling ill showed through to the other walkers who ended up completing her laps for her. Tisha was so appreciative of every person who volunteered their laps towards her and was excited about receiving her new bike.

The other winners of the kids bikes were Blayden Arquette and Kaysen Arquette who both showed up with their mom at 7:30am. It took them until after 11:00am but they too were also set on finishing all 7-miles of the walk. The Arquette boys were able to take breaks in between laps to enjoy the free healthy breakfast provided by the Let’s Get Healthy Program.

From babies in strollers up to 85 year-olds, people from all walks of life pitched in their time for this event. Jimmy Cook is an elder who has been walking for all 5-years that this event has been held and has been dubbed the oldest walker in the group. In spite of his age Jimmy not only finished his 7-miles but also walked a few extra because he enjoyed the wonderful company of his fellow walkers.

The Let’s Get Healthy Program did a remarkable job organizing this year’s 7 Miles for 7 Generations walk and is looking to expand by selling paper ‘7s’ that people can write names on of those who are affected by diabetes.

There have been some recent changes to both the Let’s Get Healthy Program and the Mohawk Healthy Heart Project; both have finally relocated to the new Akwesasne Housing Authority Training Center. Having both programs under the same roof for the first time shows how both programs complement each other as they had always meant to. The close proximity allows them to operate together and makes it easier for referrals between the two programs when new clients come in.

For more information on these programs contact the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe at 518-358-2272.