About a hundred people braced the cold weather to walk and raise money for a good cause last Saturday.

The First Lady Walk-a-Thon to help bring awareness of the need for bone marrow and organ donors also raised money for the N.C. Central University Academic Community Service Learning Program.

Students, staff, faculty, alumni and community participants solicited a total of at least $25 each and paid a registration free of $15. Students who participated in the walk earned 15 service hours.

Tanielle Arledgi, outreach coordinator for the University Academic Community Service Learning Program, said the money raised will help extend the transportation services to students who volunteer for many community agencies in the Triangle area.

All participants received free NCCU T-shirts and refreshments. There was also a raffle, and winners received free tickets to events, including NCCU football tickets, tickets for “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” playing at Hillside High School, or tickets for upcoming plays at NCCU.

NCCU’s “First Lady” Judy Ammons welcomed everyone and reminded supporters of the reason for the walk-walk-athon, as well as expressing appreciation for everyone who participated.

After registration, the Worship and Praise Mass Choir sang two songs that got the crowd moving and ready to walk.

“The walk is very well organized,” said Harry White, a junior criminal justice major. “I would do this even if it was not for the community service hours because it is a very good program and it’s for a good cause.”

After the walk, the supporters gathered in the Student Union to listen to people waiting for donors, those who already received the organs needed, and those who already donated.

Tables were also set up for the participants to get a first hand account from the various speakers.

There was also a table set up by the Project Safe: Save a Fellow Eagle HIV/STD Peer Education Program, which gave out pamphlets and free condoms. Advice was also given on safe sex.

Sandra King told the story of her son, Larry King, a junior criminal justice major, who was on dialysis for 17 months and was on the transplant list for six of those months to receive kidney.

On Nov. 4, he received his kidney and is in good condition. Various students stopped by the table to offer congratulations and let King know how much her son means to them.