Valley Friendship tour raises more than $115K for Open Sky

Read the original article in The Worcester Guardian

This year’s event raised more than $115,000, contributing to the millions of dollars the tour has garnered over nearly four decades for Central Massachusetts individuals and families

Worcester-based nonprofit human services agency Open Sky Community Services raised more than $115,000 during its 39th Annual Valley Friendship Tour on June 1 to support its programs for children, adults and families throughout Central Massachusetts (photo courtesy Open Sky)

WORCESTER—The 39th Annual Valley Friendship Tour saw more than 300 participants walking, running, and rolling through the Blackstone Valley on June 1, benefiting Open Sky Community Services, a nonprofit dedicated to behavioral health and human services.

This signature fundraising event, starting and ending at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill, supports nearly 150 programs aiding children, adults, and families dealing with mental health issues, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, brain injuries, homelessness, and other challenges. This year’s event raised more than $115,000, contributing to the millions of dollars the tour has garnered over nearly four decades for Central Massachusetts individuals and families. 

“We are so grateful to our community for its immense support of our programs and the people that they serve,” said Ken Bates, president & CEO of Open Sky Community Services, in a statement.  “It takes a village to do what we do successfully, and our supporters turn out year after year to help us advance our mission.”

Teresa Pitaro, a resident of Norwood who has a family member served by Open Sky, was the top fundraiser for the third year in a row.  She has raised nearly $20,000 for the Valley Friendship Tour since 2019.

The individual and team participants of all ages and abilities had the option of a 1-mile walk, 5K run or walk, or a 30-mile bike ride through the Blackstone Valley.  The all-day event featured lunch, live music, raffles and Zumba on the Dennis H. Rice Community Plaza at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill.