FORT MYERS, Fla. - Southwest Florida school children were encouraged to walk to school in honor of International Walk To School Month.  

Millions of schoolchildren from 40 countries will celebrate the walk to school this October in recognition of International Walk to School (IWALK) Month. International Walk to School Day began in 2000, following several successful walk to school campaigns held in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States in the late 1990s. IWALK is a global partnership that works to support and promote walk to school initiatives around the world.

Walking to school promotes safety, health, concern for the environment, a sense of community and physical activity among children. Communities are encouraged to pick a day, a week, once a week or the entire month to celebrate the event and draw attention to these issues.