Social distancing is physical, not emotional. COTS is staying connected to our amazing supporters, and we invite you to continue to connect with us through the 2020 Virtual COTS Walk.

Why go virtual?

The traditional COTS Walk brings thousands of supporters to Battery Park, through the streets of Burlington, and into homeless shelters and service locations where people sleep, eat, live, and meet. This year, we are happy to safely recommence that collective energy and communal support by holding the COTS Walk in a safe, shared virtual space.

For the protection of COTS guests, supporters, volunteers, and staff, we will not gather in person this May.

We have so many exciting things to tell you this year, sights to show you, and experiences for you to partake it. Join us in this virtual journey.

What is the Virtual COTS Walk?

The Virtual COTS Walk follows a 3.5-mile trek through downtown Burlington that replicates the path a person experiencing homelessness would travel to reach COTS shelters and services. We will take you into our program spaces to learn what its like and to see the places where your support is having a needed impact.

We will announce virtual walk activities soon—some interactive, some educational, and all of them fun things you can do from home and at responsible social distances.

When you register for the walk, you’ll get your own online profile page to help you reach out to friends, families, and colleagues and achieve your fundraising goal.

The 2020 COTS Walk Packet presents plentiful information about the path, destinations, and services. (We published it before going virtual, so please excuse references to physical gatherings and—it breaks the heart to say—the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream that was planned for the end of the walk.)