The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) invites the community to join the organization’s Walk Team for the 8th Annual Joe Chaves 5K Memorial Walk/Run, taking place on Sep. 29th in Cambridge and Charlestown. Funds raised by the Walk support community programs and scholarships for the Portuguese-American community of Greater Boston.

The Joe Chaves 5K Memorial Walk/Run is organized by the Joe & Dorothy Chaves Foundation, an organization that has been advocating on behalf of immigrants and their families in the Greater Boston area since 2010.  The foundation offers financial support for important educational and advocacy programs that serve immigrants seeking to learn new skills and earn their U.S. citizenship.

Created in honor of the late José A. Chaves, a Portuguese-speaking community leader and professor at Bunker Hill Community College, the Annual Joe Chaves Walk/Run is a fun event that brings local communities together.

 “Our father, José, dedicated many years of his life to helping our community as a volunteer at MAPS, and as a Professor at Bunker Hill Community College,” said Philip and Mark Chaves, sons of José Chaves. “As we prepare to have our eighth Walk/Run event, which passes through streets and places that are so dear to us, we are honored to continue his legacy by raising funds for the causes that he so passionately supported.”

“Besides being a great way to honor Mr. Chaves’ inspirational legacy, it’s also an opportunity to raise funds that support crucial educational programs for the Portuguese-speaking community,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director.

The 8th Annual Joe Chaves Memorial 5K Walk-a-thon kicks off at 1 pm from Naveo Credit Union in Cambridge (251 Hampshire Street) and participants are expected to show up at 12 pm for registration. The finish line will be at Saint Anthony’s Church in Cambridge (400 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue), where festivities will be held with lunch and refreshments served. To register for the event or to learn more about the Joe & Dorothy Chaves Foundation, please visit chavesfoundation.org/walk/.