200 Register for 4th Drug-Awareness Walk

A drug-awareness program based in Valley Village will hold a walkathon Sunday at three Valley locations, ending with a festival at the Van Nuys Civic Center.

About 200 walkers have registered for the fourth annual Sober DAY L.A. Walkathon, which is sponsored by New Era Relief Sober Link Educational Programs, a nonprofit group that raises public awareness about alcohol and substance abuse.

“We’re walking for a day of sobriety throughout Los Angeles to make a safer place for our children,” said Rachel Cosmic, founder and chief executive of the substance-abuse agency. “It’s a little seed we’re planting, but we hope to see it grow.”

A three-mile walk will start at Wal-Mart, 8333 Van Nuys Blvd., in Panorama City. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the walk getting underway at 10:45.

A five-mile trek will start at 11 a.m. at North Hollywood Park, with registration beginning at 10.

An eight-mile walk will leave the San Fernando Mission at 9:30 a.m. Registration will begin at 8.

Free bus rides will take walkers to the Van Nuys Civic Center for the festival, from noon to 4 p.m. It will include food, entertainment and music. Those who have abused alcohol or drugs will give testimonials.

Preregistration is $15 a person, which includes a T-shirt. On-site registration will cost $20. Profits will go toward programs for New Era Relief Sober Link Educational Programs. For more information, call Cosmic at (818) 623-0945.