THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 9, 2026 Page 9 Thank You to Our Community for Supporting the 8th Annual Walk for Ersilia 5K T he Orange Rose Foundation, the City of Everett, Everett Robert Van Campen addressed the crowd. Everett High School students and members of the Key Club were on hand to lend their support Saturday. Melissa Coelho, Kailey Baquedano, Maria Luiza Dos Santos, and Ashley Grifone. Joseph, Julia and Alex Cataldo placed their raffle tickets for one of the amazing gifts participants could win. Mayor Robert Van Campen, and the Cataldo family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in and supported this year’s Walk for Ersilia 5K. Whether you walked, purchased raffle tickets, made a donation, sponsored the event, or helped spread the word, please know how grateful we are for your support. Every contribution makes a difference. The 8th Annual Walk for Ersilia honors the life and legacy of Ersilia Cataldo, whose sincere commitment to helping people in need continues to inspire us all. The Walk also raises awareness of domestic violence and provides much-needed funds to organizations working to help victims and their families, including Portal to Hope. We would like to thank evState Senator Sal DiDomenico addressed the attendees. Deborah Fallon, founder of non-profit Portal To Hope addresses the attendees. eryone who spoke at this year’s event, including Mayor Robert Van Campen, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Joseph McGonagle, and our guest speaker, Deborah Fallon of Portal to Hope. Your words were inspirational and a powerful reminder of the importance of coming together as a community. We are especially grateful to our generous sponsors who continue to support our mission. Angel Sponsors: Rocco Longo/Sabatino Insurance Agency; Mayor Robert Van Campen; Portal to Hope; Edward & Michele Bauer; and McKinnon’s Butcher Shop. Principal Sponsors: Senator Sal DiDomenico; EvFamily, friends, dignitaries and members of the community were in attendance for Saturday’s 8th annual Walk for Ersilia at Glendale Park. erett Co-operative Bank; Eagle Bank; Metro Credit Union; Laschi Hairstylist & Day Spa; Matthew Cunningham/Joseph L. Motolo VFW Post 4524; Attorney Joseph D. Cataldo; and Benco Precision Machining. Director-Level Sponsors: For Kids Only Afterschool; Poweredge Hockey Skills; Marlene Zizza & Gianna Dunn; Psutes Custom Vinyl; Advocate Newspaper/James Mitchell; and City Councilor Anthony DiPierro. All proceeds from the Walk for Ersilia benefit organizations that provide vital domestic violence services. This year, the Orange Rose Foundation was proud to present our Person of the Year Award to Rocco Longo. Rocco has been a longtime friend and supporter of the Foundation and its mission. He spoke about the importance of community and giving back—values he has demonstrated for many years. We are incredibly grateful for his generosity, hard work, and support since the beginning of the Walk for Ersilia. As Deborah Fallon shared, the Orange Rose Foundation has donated more than $160,000 to Portal to Hope. Through the Ersilia Stabilization Fund, we have also directly assisted 159 victims as they work to stabilize their lives and live free from abuse. We are honored to support programs in Ersilia’s name that provide such important and life-changing assistance. The organizations on the front lines of domestic violence work tirelessly to provide essential services, and we are committed to supporting them in every way we can. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this year’s Walk for Ersilia such a tremendous success. Your generosity, participation, and commitment are truly making a difference. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year! With sincere gratitude, The Orange Rose Foundation and the Cataldo Family
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