The second annual LollyBagger Race and Fun Day brought in eight teams of two individuals for an “amazing race” race throughout Grove City, along with numerous families for fun, games and demonstrations at Memorial Park.

Ms. Colapietro is the founder and president of Moms Without Moms, a nonprofit organization she began in 2006 that sponsors the LollyBagger.

LollyBagger began last year to raise funds for the Laura Walker Project, a yet-to-be-opened maternity home that’s named after Ms. Colapietro’s deceased mother, “Lolly” Walker. Mrs. Walker was killed at age 33 by Ms. Colapietro’s father. Ms. Colapietro, who was 7, and her three siblings were left without a mother.

Since then, “I knew I wanted to help girls who didn’t have their moms,” Ms. Colapietro said.

Pregnant and parenting moms to 21 years old will go through a program at the Laura Walker home that will give them life, career and parenting skills in a supportive environment.

On Center Street at College Avenue, Grove City, the home is being purchased for the project by Nathan Depew, owner of Earth, Sun, Moon Trading Co., Grove City, for the young moms to live.

“The local support has been very good,” said Darla Stoughton, vice president of Moms’ board.

But the Laura Walker Project needs more funds and volunteers to get off the ground by fall.

About $25,000 has been raised, but the home needs about $15,000 more to operate, Ms. Colapietro said.

Once the home opens, volunteers will be needed to rock babies, teach life skills, share stories, transport moms to their doctors’ appointments, and to mentor the young women.

With the work Ms. Colapietro has accomplished in two years, she said she believes her mother “would probably be happy.”

To contribute to the Laura Walker Project, visit: www.momswithoutmoms.org or call Ms. Colapietro, 724-372-1251.