Wiley Rein Warms up for the 22nd Annual Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon

Wiley Rein lawyers and staff will participate in the 22nd Annual Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon being held on Saturday, November 21 on the National Mall.

Money raised during the walkathon will benefit 134 local organization working to provide services to the homeless. Many of the programs emphasize helping people return to independent living. In 2008, the walkathon raised more than $5 million in donations.

This year Wiley Rein participants will be walking in support of Calvary Women's Services, according to Wiley Rein Chief Financial Officer Ann Hilpert, who also serves as president of Calvary's board. Calvary is a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC that provides housing and support services to homeless women. Many of the women who come to programs like Calvary are either survivors of violence, struggling with mental illness or working to overcome addictions. The nonprofit's mission is to educate and empower.

The walkathon continues the strong bond between Wiley Rein and Calvary. In 2006, Wiley Rein was honored by Calvary as its "Volunteer Organization of the Year." In addition to helping raise money during the annual walkathon, Wiley Rein provides pro bono legal counsel to Calvary, and firm employees have volunteered at the shelter, donated computers and other technical equipment, and included the Calvary in the its holiday gift giving program.

For Calvary, a big turnout in the walkathon is more important than ever. In September the group learned that 10 percent of its funding would be slashed as part of cutbacks by the Government of the District of Columbia. "This year more than ever we're going to have to pour our efforts into fundraising and the walkathon is the start of the year for us," said Hilpert.

Wiley Rein is proud to help Calvary raise money for an urgent cause.