Bolton’s Walk-A-Thon Blends Wellness with Community Spirit

Special to The Bolton News

Before most alarms sound across town, a quiet energy begins to stir in Bolton. It’s Saturday, July 12, 2025, and once again, the Jimmie Ray Lewis, Sr. Park Pavilion becomes the gathering place for a tradition rooted in remembrance, wellness, and neighborly love. Now in its twelfth year, the Jimmie Ray Lewis, Sr. Walk-A-Thon invites the community to rise with purpose—and walk in step with something greater than themselves.

Beginning at 6:45 a.m., the event welcomes walkers of all ages and backgrounds to lace up their shoes for a morning of fellowship and inspiration. This beloved tradition, proudly sponsored by the Hinds A.H.S. Class of 1975/Utica, MS and Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, has grown far beyond an annual wellness activity. It has become a living tapestry of stories—stitched together by footsteps, laughter, and heartfelt connections.

For many longtime participants, the walk isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s a ritual of love. “My mother walked in the very first one,” recalled Thomas Reed, a Bolton native and teacher. “Now that she’s gone, I walk every year in her honor. It keeps me rooted to her memory and to the values she passed on.”

Some stories carry unexpected impact. Angela Peterson, a nurse who volunteers at the health booth each year, remembers the day one participant’s blood pressure reading prompted an urgent intervention. “He looked perfectly healthy,” she said, “but his pressure was dangerously high. We connected him with follow-up care right then and there. A few weeks later, he sent a handwritten thank-you note. That’s why we keep showing up.”

The walk’s reach extends beyond adults, too. Ten-year-old Layla Jackson joined last year with her grandmother. “I liked helping pass out water,” she said. “People smiled and said thank you, and I felt like I was helping everyone.” For Layla and so many others, the event plants seeds of service and care that grow with every shared mile.

Even weather has failed to dampen spirits. Pastor Ray Ellis remembers a year when clouds threatened to cancel the walk. “It started drizzling, and I thought folks would head home—but no one did. They pulled out umbrellas and kept walking, praising, laughing, soaking in more than the rain. That’s the power this event holds.”

This year, as in those before, participants can expect more than fellowship. Free blood pressure screenings, health awareness presentations, and refreshments will be available throughout the morning—offering both nourishment and knowledge. Yet ask anyone why they return year after year, and it’s rarely about the snacks or swag.

“It’s the people,” said twenty-three-year-old Isaiah Franklin. “I grew up coming here with my parents. Back then, I just followed along. But when I came back after college, it hit different. It reminded me who I am and where I come from. You feel the love in every step.”

As the sun rises over Bolton, so does a shared sense of belonging. Neighbors clasp hands, stories rise up like morning mist, and legacy walks right alongside every participant.

This isn’t just an event—it’s a heartbeat. And everyone is welcome to be part of its rhythm.