BLOG: Why it Matters: Support Bernie's Book Bank during 'Walk as One'

2020 and the effects of COVID-19 affected everyone, but it especially hit communities in need the hardest. With schools being shut down, literacy was a huge concern for many in education.

David Kaplan of ESPN Chicago realized that during these difficult times, something needed to be done to address falling literacy rates due to COVID and raise money for a worthy cause. As a result of this, ‘Walk As One’ was established as a fundraiser for Bernie’s Book Bank, an organization that sources, processes, and distributes quality new and gently used children’s books to significantly increase book ownership among under-served infants, toddlers, and school-age children through Chicagoland.

In the first year of the event, the Bernie’s Book Bank team joined Kaplan for a 29-mile walk from Ohio Street Beach to Jens Jensen Park and raised $90,000+ in donations in the process. In the second year of the event, the walk took place from the United Center to Northwestern University in Evanston and raised $150,000.

This year's walk will take place on September 22nd. The route starts in the South Side at Guaranteed Rate Field and loops all the way up to Wrigleyville around Wrigley Field before making its way back to the South Side for a post-walk celebration at the White Sox game. 

Recently, Fleet Feet Chicago Owner Dave Zimmer fitted Dave Kaplan of ESPN and Darren Utynek, CEO of Bernie’s Book Bank at Fleet Feet Deerfield in new running shoes for the upcoming ‘Walk As One’ event. 

“We wanted to get the right footwear on Darrin and Dave as they are going to be striking the ground so many times during the walk,” said Dave Zimmer. 

David Kaplan has come a long way from his first event walk in 2020, where he wore slip-on shoes for 29 miles. With the right pair of shoes, the possibilities are endless.

You can support this year’s walk by donating any amount here.