Lakewood Walks Main Street participants recently walked nearly 200 miles on a beautiful summer day in downtown Lakewood with the help of LakewoodAlive, Beck Center, Main Street, Lakewood Hospital and Lakewood Historical Society volunteers. Over 100 participants walked one or two mile routes along Detroit Avenue, stopping in at merchants along the way. All participating businesses (and several more) donated items and/or gift certificates for a raffle drawing for the walkers.

Lakewood resident and Lakewood Hospital employee, Vera Perez, won the grand prize which consisted of gifts and certificates valued at over $225. Vera works as a billing specialist in the outreach laboratory at the hospital. She lives on Bunts Road and missed last year’s event because she was a new employee. This year she brought along 3 recently hired co-workers who enjoyed exploring the downtown district.

Second prize winner was Manor Park resident, Jeff Lambert Shemo. Jeff is a fitness consultant and he walked the 2008 event with his neighbor who won last year’s grand prize. Jeff’s prize included items and certificates valued at over $150.

The third prize winner was George Hillen, who won more than $50 in gifts and certificates.

All three winners walked the two-mile route. The event was a collaboration of Main Street Lakewood and Lakewood Hospital to encourage residents and workers to incorporate walking into their daily routines and to explore our downtown shopping district.