Decatur residents Robert and Pam Champion, whose son, Robert, died after a hazing ritual at FAMU, are the “grand walkers” for DeKalb Walks … for the Health of It on Sept. 8 at Exchange Park.

The annual walk encourages residents to be more active by walking in county parks. This year it also is focusing on violence prevention. The Champions’ son, who was a drum major, was a graduate of Southwest DeKalb High. He died in November. More than a dozen people have been charged in the case.

District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson launched DeKalb Walks Initiative in 2005 in response to a Status of Health Report that showed that South DeKalb residents suffered from a high incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

“This is the seventh year of this initiative and we are seeing more and more people making walking a part of their daily routine,” Johnson said, adding that this year’s walk also is focusing on the prevention of violence, a serious public health problem. Johnson has a background in public health.

Registration for DeKalb Walks, which is free and open to the public, begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 9. Cash prizes ranging from $25 to $250 will be awarded to the group with the most team members participating and to individuals through drawings.

Exchange Park is at 2771 Columbia Drive in Decatur. For more information or to pre-register, call 404-371-2425.