Participating in a 5K walk for charity may be tough for some people, but not for Emiliana (Emmy) Barnes of Doraville. Barnes, who is retired and a member of Holy Cross Church, Atlanta, has walked four years in a row now at the annual Hunger Walk/Run in Atlanta. This year, she raised $1,983 for her charity, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, increasing the amount she raised last year—$1,727—for the Society.

For her efforts, Barnes was presented with a certificate of appreciation at a recent barbecue to thank Hunger Walk/Run participants.

“We are very grateful to have Emmy walk on behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society each year,” said Mary Davison, the Society’s director of development, who presented the certificate. “Volunteers like Emmy are the heart and soul of the Society. Emmy’s fundraising efforts are an incredible inspiration to all of us who are concerned about fighting hunger.”

An active St. Vincent de Paul member, Barnes also accepted a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Society’s Holy Cross Conference, which raised $1,140 for the Society. In total, 300 walkers and runners raised over $21,000 for St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The Hunger Run/Walk sponsor organizations hosted the barbecue to thank all of the volunteers who raised funds to fight hunger in Atlanta.

Barnes was among the 5,000 walkers and runners who raised more than $197,000 in the 2005 Hunger Walk/Run. The event, which is sponsored by the Atlanta Community Food Bank and six other organizations including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, began and ended at Turner Field Stadium and included a 5K walk and a 10K run.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is devoted to helping people in need, regardless of race or religion. In 2004, the Society provided over $4 million in assistance to more than 200,000 individuals. Among the many services offered, the Society operates 43 food pantries. Last year, more than $333,000 in free food was distributed to over 6,400 families.