On the first Saturday in May of 1970, the first Walk for Hope was born. To plan a walk of thirty-one miles with many children and families participating, was not a simple achievement. 

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The Walk for Hope, now know as the Walk & Roll for Hope has been forced to change with the times. As the city of Anchorage developed, shutting down many major streets throughout town to hold the 31-mile walk has become impossible. In addition, the competition of events for Alaskans’ precious summer Saturdays has caused a gradual decline of participation over the last decade. Therefore, the route has taken many changes over the years.  While many nostalgic Alaskans wish for the longer route, the change has allowed for continued success of the historically event.

One of the more recent changes has been to join cyber space. Currently, fundraising in honor of the Walk for Hope takes place throughout Alaska through virtual events online. Physically events are still held in, of course, Anchorage (40th annual event in 2009) and the Mat Su Valley.  In Washington DC, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich hold an honorary Walk for Hope on Capital Hill in support of the Alaskan walks and of Hope and its support to Alaskans who experience developmental disabilities.

With the route and location changes and the addition of online fundraising, the Walk & Roll for Hope is once again gaining speed. Currently raising more than $60,000 a year and growing, the Walk has over $3 million since its inception in 1970.

Although surrounded by a variety of different and like events in the spring, the Walk for Hope still enjoys major business and corporate sponsorships and is still reputed as the oldest Alaskan event.  It has and continues to shine as an Alaskan tradition that Hope is proud to call its own and grateful to the early organizers for the vision of creating it for financial assistance to the agency and the thousands who choose its supports.