By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

The Links, Incorporated hosted its 20th annual Walk-A-Thon in Selma at the Alexis Hunter Trail to raise awareness for senseless violence Saturday morning.

Roughly 100 people showed up to give support for a couple of families who have recently lost a loved one in shootings and to take a stand against violence. Maria Stevenson-Dale, chairperson of the 20th annual unity walk, said she was pleased with the turnout.

“It makes me very happy,” Stevenson-Dale said. “I just wish we could do something to turn back the clock and take it away, but hopefully this will ease the pain.”

This year’s Walk-A-Thon was dedicated to the families of Taffine Berry, who was shot and killed earlier this year, and Alexis Hunter, who was shot and killed in December 2013.

Stevenson-Dale said she was more personally attached to the cause this year because of her connection to Berry.

“Taffine Berry was indirectly related to my family so it really hit home how much pain this can cause to see her two beautiful daughters here today, that they don’t have their mother,” Stevenson-Dale said.

Charlotte Griffeth, president of the Selma Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, was pleased with the outpouring of support from the community.

“It is just a great feeling. It’s a wonderful feeling,” Griffeth said. “It warms your heart to see the community on the same page with you and the community understands what we’re all about.”

Griffeth hopes the people who showed up for the Walk-A-Thon take with them an added sense of responsibility to take an active role in limiting nonviolence in Selma.

“To be advocates of nonviolence and to stop the violence in Selma,” Griffeth said. “The senseless taking away of lives, and to be proactive in trying to help our youth stay on the right track.”

Stevenson-Dale hopes the city of Selma can take something away from the Walk-A-Thon to change Selma for the better.

“I hope they understand that a healthy attitude and healthy lifestyle matters,” Stevenson-Dale said. “That all lives matter and let’s keep improving Selma.”

Stevenson-Dale is looking forward to next year, and is hopeful that in the future, the Walk-A-Thon won’t have families who are mourning victims recently killed in senseless acts of violence.

“I hope organizations and everyone will continue to keep their memory alive in hopes that we can prevent the next victim,” Stevenson-Dale said.