The Matthews Auto Group, with 16 locations in Upstate NY, Northeast PA and Wellesley MA announce the 7th Annual Matthews Walk-A-Thon to benefit thirteen kid’s charities in Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester, Norwich, Schenectady NY and Scranton PA, on Saturday, October 4th from 7:30AM to 6:30PM, rain or shine, at the Vestal Rail Trail, starting at the Coal House on Stage Road in Vestal, OR at Weiler Park in Norwich from 9am to 2pm. (Submitted photos)

NEW YORK - The Matthews Auto Group, with 16 locations in Upstate NY, Northeast PA and Wellesley MA announce the 7th Annual Matthews Walk-A-Thon to benefit thirteen kid’s charities in Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester, Norwich, Schenectady NY and Scranton PA, on Saturday, October 4th from 7:30AM to 6:30PM, rain or shine, at the Vestal Rail Trail, starting at the Coal House on Stage Road in Vestal, OR at Weiler Park in Norwich from 9am to 2pm. Weiler Park in Norwich also features a food truck, games for the kids and a petting zoo, OR walkers from all locations including Binghamton, Norwich, Rochester, Syracuse, Schenectady, and Scranton PA can register and walk virtually from their hometowns at Matthewswalkathon.com. The list of charitable beneficiaries in Binghamton includes Mom’s House, A Room to Heal, Handicapped Children’s Association, Guthrie Hospice Vestal’s Camp Hope for Kids, The Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference and GiGi’s Playhouse. In Syracuse- Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, ED23 and Joseph’s House. In Rochester – Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester, Things of My Very Own in Schenectady, Chenango County Child Advocacy Center in Norwich NY, and St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton PA.

The Walk-A-Thon is open to the public and families and friends are invited, in person or virtually, to walk as many or few miles as they can. Matthews Auto will donate $10 per mile for every mile walked by registered participants, during the day of the 4th, to the charity or charities of the walker’s choosing (up to $75,000) plus Matthews will match cash donations up to $12,500, plus corporate sponsors- Cox Automotive, Nissan and Zurich bring the maximum possible donation to $150,000. 100% of the proceeds will be donated. Cash donations of $200 to $500 will also receive double their donation back in a Matthews Cash voucher, good towards a vehicle purchase by September 2026. Walkers can choose one charity or can divide their donation equally among the thirteen charities. Walkers will be on the “Honor System” to walk the actual miles registered for. Over 2000 walkers participated last year and more are anticipated to walk this year.

Walkers should register in advance with estimated miles to be walked at Matthewswalkathon.com or Broome County walkers can register at the Vestal Rail Trail and Chenango County walkers at Weiler Park can register the day of the event. Additionally, complimentary Walk-A-Thon T-Shirts will be given as a thank you for registering, while supplies last, at the Rail Trail in Vestal the day of the event. Matthews will distribute the funds to the charities based on the miles walked and donations pledged during

registration. Over $450,000 has been donated to local children’s charities since the Walkathon’s inception. We are excited to break a record this year with a $150,000 donation.

CEO Rob Matthews says, “We’re excited about bringing back the Walk-A-Thon for a seventh year to the communities we serve. This annual event is fun and makes a significant contribution to kids and families in our area. We hope the public will join us for a great cause and look forward to a great year.”

Contact: Kathy Breno, Marketing Director Office: 607-798-8000, Cell: 607-348-5503 kbreno@matthewsauto.com

- The Matthews Auto Group