At 6 a.m. sharp on Sabbath morning in late September, a group of members from the Everett Forest Park (Wash.) Church set up refreshment tables, a prayer tent and a large pink balloon arch over Federal Avenue.
Two hours later, the first of more than 2,500 walkers in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walked by the church. From distributing cookies, fruit and vegetables to cheering on the walkers, who were in their second day of walking 20 of the 60 miles, church members of all ages were outside interacting with the community.
"Thank you ... for the best comfort/welcome station on the entire 3-Day [walk]," writes Linda Stanley, who participated in the walk, in a note to the church. "I loved meeting everyone."
After the last of the walkers went by, the Everett congregation cleaned up and then held the church service, ending with a communion service and a special time of prayer for all the requests left at the prayer tent.
This is Everett Forest Park's second year hosting a refreshment station in front of the church for breast cancer walkers.
Kami Borg, left, and Irma Williams welcome Susan G. Komen 30-Day for the Cure walkers as they pass by the Everett (Wash.) Forest Park Church. (Sandra Clay)
Pink-shirted participants in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk pass under a pink balloon arch near Everett (Wash.) Forest Park Church. (Sandra Clay)
Kathy Marier, Everett Forest Park church secretary, comes up with creative cheers to encourage "pink" walkers. (Sandra Clay)
Lynn Ellis, an Everett Forest Park Church member, greets 3-Day for the Cure walkers as they pass by the church. (Sandra Clay)
