Mary Margaret Petersen, a senior at Madison County High School, and her mother, Peggy Williams-Petersen were participants in the May 2-3 Washington, DC seventh annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. To participate in the Avon Walk they each had to raise a minimum of $1,800 in donations. Between the two of them, Petersen and her mother raised almost $4500. Petersen Jewelers was the primary sponsor for the pair, however, many other caring businesses and individuals generously contributed to their successful campaign.

The Avon Walk Washington, D.C.attracted more than 3,000 participants drawn from 40 states, including 271 breast cancer survivors, who joined together to raise lifesaving funds and awareness for breast cancer. As a group, the Washington walkers raised over $6.8 million. Funds raised are managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation for Women [a 501(c)(3) public charity] and awarded to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations to support five areas of the breast cancer cause, including awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services, and scientific research, all with a focus on the medically underserved.

During the Avon Walk Washington, D.C., which is a noncompetitive event, women and men had a choice of walking a half marathon (13.1 miles), a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over the weekend. Because of previous injuries, the Petersens opted for the half marathon and were quite proud to have walked that distance in one outing. The event kicked off Saturday, May 2, with a 6:30 AM Opening Ceremony at West Potomac Park.

Following the Ceremony, walkers began their journey, traveling through the greater Washington, D.C. area weaving by the Lincoln Memorial, the Tidal Basin, and the Washington Monument, then through Georgetown and past the National Zoo. The day’s journey concluded at the Avon Walk “Wellness Village” at Meadowbrook Park in Chevy Chase, MD, a “tent city” complete with two-person tents, hot showers, prepared meals, entertainment, and recreational activities. On Sunday, May 3, walkers who chose to complete the journey donned ponchos and walked another 13.1 miles together in the rain, ending back at West Potomac Park where they were greeted by thousands of family and friends who shared in a celebratory and moving Closing Ceremony.

The Avon Walk in Washington was the second in a series of nine Avon Walks nationwide. If anyone is interested in walking, registration is still open for women and men to take part in the remaining Avon Walks of 2009: Boston, MA (May 16-17); Chicago, IL (June 6-June 7); Rocky Mountains, CO (June 27-28); San Francisco, CA (July 11-12); Los Angeles, CA (September 12-13); New York, NY (October 10-11); and Charlotte, NC (October 24-25). To register please visit www.avonwalk.org or call800-541-WALK.

Partnering with Waugh Enterprises Harley-Davidson of Orange, Tod on his Harley, and Chris in his Mini joined the crowd to “buy their gold trash and give them CASH so they could buy chrome!” Setting up a booth at the Expo, Chris and Tod purchased unwanted gold and silver while motorcycle enthusiasts dreamt of the freedom of the open roads and which was the best bike to take them there.

Putting on his tuxedo, Chris dealt the cards for blackjack at Germanna Community College’s primary fundraiser, Monte Carlo Night. Helping friends and strangers alike, Chris brought out lots of smiles as he made millionaires out of many. For at least a dozen years Petersen Jewelers has sponsored this event which provides scholarships for students in need. This year the store donated a bezel set opal pendant in 14kt yellow gold which was handcrafted by our jeweler, Earl.

Sharon, her husband, Craig, along with Peggy and Chris laced up their bowling shoes and formed an extraordinary team called The Real Bling. They represented Petersen Jewelers at an afternoon of Bowling for the Free Clinic of Culpeper, the proceeds of which support the work of that clinic.