“Where every story matters” 2026 Glow Walk New Boston set for September 19

By Kenny Mitchell

kenny@westbowiepost.com

The day is fast approaching for the annual Glow Walk in New Boston, scheduled for September 19, 2026. A plethora of fundraising activities are underway for this year’s event, and organizer Stephanie Hawkins says that this is again a year “where every story matters.”

One of those fundraising activities is labeled Pie for a Purpose, and it is exactly as it sounds. A long list of volunteer contestants has signed up and the donation jar that earns the most money will be the recipient of a whip cream pie in the face from each of the other contestants. Each contestant has a jar inside Hawkins’ hair salon and at 82 Marketplace where you can go and support the effort by donating into the jar of your choice, with 16 volunteers hoping to raise the most for the cause and take their pie in the face. To date, over $2,000 has found its way into jars for the cause.

Currently leading the way, with over $500 raised in his jar, is Kyle Edwards.

Hawkins notes, “While it certainly brings laughter and excitement to our community, there's a much deeper reason behind it. Kyle's family has been personally impacted by cancer. His wife recently shared with me that when Kyle's father was battling cancer, there weren't organizations like Glow Walk Foundation to help families through that journey. She also shared how our community came together to support Clay during his battle with brain cancer. This year, Kyle is walking not only in honor of his dad, but also in memory of Clay. Clay Dews is the son of DeKalb restaurant owner Yoli Aguilon, who lost his battle with cancer last October after being an inspiration to all that knew and loved him.

Hawkins goes on to say, “Stories like these are exactly why Glow Walk Foundation exists. Every dollar raised helps us support local families facing cancer because no one should have to walk that road alone. Kyle recently became the first participant to reach our $500 fundraising milestone and is now closing in on the $600 Club. While we're celebrating his fundraising success in a fun way, what truly deserves recognition is the heart behind his participation and the mission it represents.

Hawkins wants the entire community to see that behind every laugh, every fundraiser, and every pie thrown, there is someone fighting, someone remembering, and someone being helped.”

This year’s Glow Walk will once again take place at T&P Trail Head Park Pavilion in downtown New Boston. The event this year will include over 60 vendors and food trucks. The day will kick off with a Shop Before You Glow time from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by a live pie auction at 4 and then prize and raffle drawings at 6 p.m. The highlights of the day will include survivor recognition, battle of the teams, battle of the teas, the memorial walk and then close with the glow walk.

For more information on this year’s Glow Walk New Boston or if you would like to volunteer or donate, you can check out their Facebook page or call organizer Stephanie Hawkins at 903-933-9793.