Advancing Leadership Youth sponsored a walk to benefit Federal Way’s homeless through the Reach Out Federal Way organization.

More than 150 students and citizens participated in the walk Feb. 21. Event organizers expected to meet the $5,000 fundraising goal.

Walkers started their nearly 4-mile journey at Our Saviors Baptist Church, which also serves as Reach Out’s shelter for women. They walked to Calvary Lutheran Church, then trekked to Steel Lake Presbyterian Church before returning to the starting point.

At each stop, the walkers participated in activities that provide a glimpse of homeless life for Federal Way area men and women. One activity challenged the walkers to assemble random canned food items into possible meals, all in under three minutes. At Steel Lake Presbyterian, the walkers put together what would be a typical outdoor bed for a homeless person. Participants in One Day Federal Way also got sack lunches with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The lunches are similar to those provided to homeless individuals served by Reach Out Federal Way.

One Day Federal Way is an annual day dedicated to making Federal Way a better place. The ALY program held the inaugural One Day Federal Way last year by sprucing up three elementary schools.

The community shouldn’t underestimate the work ethic of Federal Way’s high school students, said Teri Hickel, executive director of the Federal Way Chamber’s Advancing Leadership programs. She praised the Advancing Leadership Youth’s class of 2012 for taking on this year’s project.

“One Day Federal Way is here to stay,” Hickel said. “It’s a concentrated effort that gets youth to pay attention to one issue. They get to engage the community.”

SLIDESHOW AND MORE

• Click here to see photos from One Day Federal Way’s Walk for the Homeless.

• Click here to read a Q&A with Nancy Jaenicke, program coordinator of Reach Out Federal Way winter homeless shelter. Reach Out operates shelters at Calvary Lutheran, Steel Lake Presbyterian and Our Saviors Baptist churches.