DANVERS — Some 500 walkers raised about $40,000 in this year's North Shore Arc Walk, despite wet and gloomy weather.
The amount is about the same as last year, though less than the $50,000 goal they'd hoped to reach. The money will be used to safeguard programs for disabled people that might otherwise be threatened by budget cuts.
North Shore Arc provides services for people with Down syndrome, autism, Asperger's syndrome and other developmental disabilities.
The families still had fun with the bounce house, even though it almost deflated due to the weather.
"The walk was really hard to gauge because of the weather, but it turned out pretty well," said Becky Landry, North Shore Arc development officer.
Susan Parziale raised the most among the "first giving" Web site donations with $2,740. Her team was "Jenna's Walkers."
To raise more money, some staff members at the agency decided to contribute $50 each for a dress-down summer, enabling them to wear jeans and other casual clothes to work.
