The first ever Walk for Youth, held Sunday at the Cape Cod Canal, marked the beginning of a partnership that organizers hope will enrich the lives of young people in Wareham and the surrounding communities.

Hosted by the Onset Youth Center and the Bourne Wareham Kiwanis Club, the Walk for Youth raised money to fund both youth center programming and various Kiwanis service clubs in area schools.

Organizers said the event was the first of what they hope will be an ongoing collaboration of two organizations, as both work for the common goal of helping youth.

"Kiwanis is all about serving the children of the world," explained Stephen Sooy, president of Bourne Wareham Kiwanis. "It's a perfect partnership."

The Walk for Youth was organized to be a "fun, family day," said Sooy.

Participants paid a $5 donation and walked two miles on the canal. Many of the event's 60-plus participants raised funds beyond the $5 donation, Sooy said. (The amount of the money raised was not immediately available. Check back here for the amount once we get it!)

Bourne Wareham Kiwanis currently funds service clubs consisting of fourth-grade classes in both of Bourne's elementary schools. The organization is currently raising funds to help those clubs, Sooy said. The clubs put together community gardens and food and coat drives, among other community-service activities.

"We're looking to do the same thing in Wareham next year!" Sooy said.

In addition to continually raising money to get its Tenth Street building off the ground, Onset Youth Center volunteers are currently working to fund programs for youth in schools and other locations until it establishes its home.

"The Onset Youth Center is going to work side-by-side with the schools," Onset Youth Center President Darryl Higgins explained.

Part of the money raised in the Walk for Youth will be earmarked for the center's building fund, while some funds will go toward the new programming

Higgins thanked all the volunteers who made the event a success, sponsors N. Gomes Landscaping, Buzzards Bay Tavern, Mass. Children's Relief, and the Shirt Shack, and ABB Rentals for donating the use of a "moon bounce" for the event.

A Cranberry Wilderness Bike Tour is planned for July 21. The 6.5-mile ride around area cranberry bogs, sponsored by A.D. Makepeace and the Old Company Store, will also raise funds for Kiwanis programs. The registration fee costs $25 per person or $15 for children ages four to 10. For more information or to register, visit www.tihonet.com or call 508-322-4028.