The Vashon Road Crew doesn’t fill potholes or restripe roads. They pound the pavement for dozens, sometimes hundreds, of miles each week in an effort to stay fit and stay connected.

The group, 50 middle-aged Island women, are a congenial network of friends with a common interest — walking. They also began raising money two years ago for Island nonprofits because, they say, a walk together can be as good as therapy — and a whole lot cheaper.

The group has donated more than $4,000 to Island social service organizations in the last two years, and they plan to continue walking and collecting money for years to come.

The crew, nearly nine years old, is made up of women who get together to walk in groups as small as two or as big as a dozen. On their walks, they talk about everything under the sun, said Vashon Road Crew cofounder Susan Sullivan — from politics to personal issues.

It was two years ago that Sullivan had the idea that the walkers could donate a few bucks to a charitable fund every time they felt their walk was valuable. A year later, the crew donated $1,700 to Vashon Youth & Family Services and Vashon HouseHold, organizations chosen because of their positive work in the community.

Last month, the group donated the $2,400 collected this year to Vashon Youth & Family Services and the Interfaith Council on Homelessness. The amount donated represents more than 15,000 collective miles walked by the crew.

One recent drizzly Saturday, members of the crew gathered outside the Burton Store, donning colorful waterproof coats and hats as they chatted cheerfully before setting out on their trek.

Sullivan had “called a walk,” or sent out an e-mail inviting Road Crew members to meet at the Burton Store for a trip on foot.

Though it was misting, women hopped out of their cars, putting on fleece gloves and rain hats as they approached the talkative cluster of friends. As each woman joined the group, she was greeted with hugs and smiles from her walking buddies.

Some of the women trek to train for marathon and half-marathon walks. Others do it for the exercise, conversation or both. All appreciate the close bond they’ve created with other walkers, they said.

“It’s really helped a lot of us emotionally and physically,” said crew cofounder Susan Haworth. “It means a lot to us.”

Road Crew member Holly Purrington said her walking friends helped her deal with her brother’s cancer diagnosis and death.

“When my brother died, I got hugs from everybody,” Purrington said. “This is an amazing group and a diverse cross-section. We all help each other.”

Sullivan said she’s gotten queries from non-crew members about her walks.

“They say, ‘What in the world can you find to talk about for two hours?’” she said. “I’ve never been stymied for conversation. When you have six or eight women walking and trading off with each other, there’s lots of conversation.”

Discussions while walking pass the time quickly, crew members said. One crew member, Hunter Davis, is famed for telling stories as the crew climbs hills, so the walkers don’t notice the incline.

It’s not unusual, they added, to walk in inclement weather, including rain, sleet or snow.

“We have dedication and commitment, even when it’s pouring,” said Purrington.

“We’ve walked through lots of storms together, one time through almost blizzard-like conditions,” Haworth said. “A little snow or ice, we just dress for the conditions.”

Some of the women have taken trips abroad to Ireland, Spain and Italy, logging miles and miles of walking together there as well. The group is planning a walking trip in Crete next year.

“Every time somebody calls a walk, someone will show up,” said Jill Andrews as she stood on the porch of the Burton Store. “They are unstoppable.”

Andrews, who spends time each day walking, said the energy and camaraderie of the Vashon Road Crew is what draws her.

“I feel like it grounds me and lifts my spirits at the same time,” added Shirley Ferris, smiling beneath a knitted hat.

Join the crew

The Vashon Road Crew welcomes new members. For more information, contact Susan Sullivan at 463-4164 or Susan Haworth at 463-3509.