'Bridging Communities' Draws Over 1,000

Apr. 22 - KGO (KGO) -- More than a thousand people formed a human chain across the Golden Gate Bridge for the Bridging Communities fundraiser for the United Way.

United Way provides funding for 250 nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area and organizers hope this event will inspire communities to work together.

Millions of people have walked across the most famous bridge in the world but this morning hundreds came at once, walking, with purpose.

United Way's first Bridging Communities fundraiser, sponsored by Chevron and ABC7, began bright and early and each participant joined in for a different reason.

Francesca Vescia, 10-Year-Old Participant: "For our church we normally do some kind of community service, it was optional, but I like the thought of bridging communities."

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Edith Klein turns 80 on Wednesday. Klein is a lifetime member of the Girls Scouts, a United Way donation recipient, so this is how she wants to celebrate -- by donating her $25 and giving back. She first visited the Golden Gate 41-years ago.

Edith Klein, 79-Year-Old Participant: "We drove across and I looked at it and I said 'I'll never walk on that bridge,' but I kind of changed my mind."

Once assembled, all of the participants joined hands in a gesture of solidarity and willingness to provide a path between the Bay Area's haves and have-nots.

Eric McDonnell, United Way Exec. Vice Pres.: "We always need more financial resources but frankly, what's more important is the opportunity to address what the name suggests, bridging communities."

Peter Robertson, Chevron Vice-Chairman: "This bridge connected a big part of our Bay Area 70 years ago and this 211 is the idea of connecting all people together."

Dialing 211 connects people seeking services with those who can help.

Joaquin Sorro, Omi Beacon Center After School Program: "The majority of our kids really do need that help because lot of these kids come from poor, working class backgrounds, communities of violence, gangs and drugs, so in that sense, these kids really do depend on that money to come through."

Organizers say about 1,100 people participated in today's event and they are hoping Bridging Communities will become an annual event.

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