Coming back, giving back

If you’ve been to our annual 5K Walk/Run at Gould Farm, you’ve probably seen Katie. She doesn’t make a big deal about what she does, but for the past several years, she’s been our top individual fundraiser. She shows up, she reaches out to people, and she asks them to give. And then she comes back and does it again the next year!

Katie first walked the three-mile loop that is our 5k course when she was a guest at the Farm. At the time, it was just part of a good day – something active and communal, a break in routine, a chance to be outside together. What keeps her coming back now is something more.

“It’s a meaningful way to stay connected,” she says.

She loves the course itself – the fields, the cows, the steady rhythm of gentle hills. And she looks forward to seeing staff she remembers and other former guests who return. “Everyone is so friendly,” she says. There’s also something grounding about being back on the land and remembering where you’ve been.

For Katie, fundraising is personal. She had a positive experience at the Farm, and giving back feels like the right next step. “It’s a good cause,” she says simply. “The Farm helps a lot of people.”

Raising money for the Walk/Run isn’t about recognition for her. It’s about being part of something that continues to matter, about knowing that the funds raised go directly to supporting the program and the people here now. The Walk/Run brings together guests, alumni, staff, donors, sponsors, and neighbors. There’s something lovely about seeing that broader community show up.

This May, Katie is looking forward to being back on the course again – taking in the views

and hearing how people are doing. It’s simple, and it’s important to her.

If you’ve been part of the Farm in any way – as a guest, staff member, donor, or friend – we hope you’ll consider following her lead this spring and join us for this fun event on May 31st! Register, reach out to a few people, and share why the Farm matters to you. Come walk or run the loop!