Walk for Vietnam raises $63,500 for COVID-19 relief

The Walk for Vietnam, an event intended to raise awareness of and funds for those suffering from the impact of the Delta variant in that country, had strong community support last week.

For three hours on the morning of Oct. 2, people walked around Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley to support the cause.

While money continues to come in following the gathering, Fountain Valley Rotary Club treasurer Gary Forman confirmed that $63,500 had been raised through the Walk for Vietnam as of Friday.

Funds brought in from the event will be distributed to local charities who have been assisting with COVID-19 relief efforts in Vietnam.

Councilman Ted Bui said that roughly 1,000 people participated in the Walk for Vietnam physically.

Bui he said he was impressed by what he described as the will of the people to raise awareness for the issue at hand, citing one example of an elderly man who refused an offer for assistance to complete the course.

He added that the man had begun to limp three quarters of the way through the walk, but he insisted on finishing himself when offered a golf cart.

“He said, ‘No, I’m going to walk all the way to the finish line, … and my walk is to show that I’m here to support,’” Bui said.

There were approximately 230 volunteers on hand to help the event run smoothly, Bui said, including those who assisted with traffic control or handed out water to the participants.

Bui added that the participants came from as far as San Diego to the south and Los Angeles to the north.

“Whether you donate or not is not important,” said Bui, who is the president of the Fountain Valley Rotary Club. “What’s important is to bring awareness.”

The city of Fountain Valley, the Fountain Valley Rotary Club and Project Oasis Compati worked together to put on the Walk for Vietnam.

Those looking to contribute to the Walk for Vietnam fundraising effort can visit fountainvalleyrotaryclub.org for more information on how to donate.

By Andrew Turner – The Los Angeles Times – October 9, 2021