This past weekend's COTS Walk raised $143,000 to benefit the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) in Burlington.

The annual 3-mile walk around downtown Burlington raises money and awareness to benefit COTS's mission to provide emergency shelter, services, and housing for the homeless.

Mark your calendar: Next year's COTS Walk is set for Sunday, May 3.

VHFA held its second annual Kids Craft Day yesterday, to benefit the United Way.

Children aged 3-12 participated by making a variety of craft projects and a Mother's Day card in the VHFA Board Room.

By charging each child's parent/guardian a participation fee, the event raised $200 for the United Way of Chittenden County.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has named Vermont a finalist in a competition for up to $5 million to help preserve and improve affordable housing.

The state's proposal, submitted by Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB), is one of 21 finalists selected from more than 80 submissions.

"Wellness 2008" continues at VHFA tomorrow with the start of our "Eight-Week Walking Program."

Participating staff are gearing up with pedometers (pictured) to count their steps and measure the miles they walk between May 3 and June 27.