Walking has always been part of my life. Whether at home on Long Island enjoying simple neighborhood walks with close friends, or exploring new places while traveling, walking energizes me. I’m a very active person who relishes a physical challenge and the chance to be outdoors, moving my body and sharing that time with people I care about.

The Great Saunter felt like the ultimate way to combine all of that. In 2023, five friends and I decided to take on the iconic 32-mile walk around Manhattan. We trained together, encouraged each other along the way, and by the end of the day most of us had completed the entire route. It was long, emotional, energizing, and completely unforgettable. I was hooked.

Doing the Great Saunter with friends in 2023

One of the things I loved most about the experience was the sense of community among walkers—people encouraging one another and celebrating every mile. Events like the Great Saunter remind you how powerful it can be when people come together around something as simple as walking.

After experiencing the Saunter in 2023, I realized how perfectly the spirit of the event aligned with the things I care about: movement, community, and enjoying simple things along the journey. So this year I convinced my business partner Nina Lombardo  not only to walk the Saunter with me, but also to support the event by donating packages of our O’ts cookies for participants along the route. It’s a small way to give back to a community that creates such a memorable experience for walkers each year.

Anna and Nina making O’ts cookies

I’m excited to return to the Saunter, to share the miles with friends old and new, and to once again experience the incredible feeling of walking all the way around Manhattan. If you see us on the route, please say hello. I’ll be the one smiling—probably a little tired—but already thinking about coming back again next year.