With a short five-mile walk, DeKalb residents can feed a senior citizen and make an ill child’s wish come true.

The American Marketing Association is sponsoring a Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, Oct. 19 at noon. The five-mile walk begins and ends at the Huskie Stadium and will weave through the campus area.

The walk benefits Meals on Wheels, a division of the Voluntary Action Center and the Starlight Foundation.

“Any size donation can make a difference in the life of a child or senior,” said Tammy McGee, Public Relations director of the AMA.

Meals on Wheels benefits DeKalb’s senior citizens, striving to overcome the problems of the elderly in the county including isolation, institutionalization and inadequate nutrition.

The Starlight Foundation works to make the wishes of chronically, terminally and critically ill children come true in the local area.

Last year’s Walk-A-Thon raised $5200 for these charities. This year a much larger turnout is expected due to the increased advertisement by the AMA on behalf of the event, McGee said.

McGee added the AMA is seeking local businesses to donate. They also are passing out pledge sheets around campus.

Anyone interested in more information, a pledge sheet or making a donation can call 756-6175.