For the past several years, Teresa Pitaro has traveled to a historic mill in Whitinsville to walk a mile on behalf of her brother.

The lifelong Norwood resident has been an ardent supporter of Open Sky Community Services, a Worcester-based nonprofit agency that provides help for children, adults and families with mental health challenges, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, brain injury, homelessness and other challenges.

Her involvement with Open Sky began in 2018, when her family was seeking a program for her brother, Peter, who has developmental disabilities.

"We were going through a lot. My father had Parkinson's, and we were looking for a residential program for Peter," she said.

The Pitaros found Open Sky, which has been around for more than 50 years. "It's a longstanding agency that provides day habitation services and a residential program. Peter is now housed in a residential program in Wrentham.

"It's amazing to watch his progress," said Teresa Pitaro. "He says he has two families - the family where he was born and raised, and the Open Sky family."

"I applaud Open Sky. They're wonderful and caring," she added. "They've been a tremendous help to our family."

As a way to give back, Pitaro began taking part in Open Sky's annual Valley Friendship Tour, a run, bike and walk fundraiser at Alternatives' Whitin Mill. This year, the event raised $110,000, with Pitaro the top fundraiser - a position she has held for the past five years. She raised nearly $7,000 in this year's event; over the past six years, she has raised a total of $35,675.

The key to her fundraising success? In a word, family.

"I have a big network of family and friends," said Pitaro. "My mom's a big supporter, too."

On the day of the event, several members of her family, including her mother, son and daughter, joined Pitaro in walking what is known as "The Golden Mile."

"Teresa's longstanding support of Open Sky and the Valley Friendship Tour has made a real impact on our operations and is representative of the community spirit that the Tour was born from over four decades ago," said Ken Bates, president and CEO of Open Sky Community Services. "The funds she has raised over the years have been felt throughout the organization, fueling our work to empower the individuals we serve to lead fulfilling lives. Champions like Teresa truly make this work possible."

Pitaro's involvement with Open Sky does not stop with this event. She is also a member of the agency's Advancement Committee.

Outside of Open Sky, Pitaro has a full-time job as senior director of procurement for the Mass. College of Pharmacy and Health Services. She is a graduate of Babson College in Wellesley.

About Open Sky

Open Sky Community Services has more than 1,300 employees and nearly 150 programs throughout the region, supporting more than 8,000 individuals annually. Funds come from a variety of private and public sources, including the cities of Leominster, Worcester and Fitchburg, MassHealth and the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For more information, visit www.openskycs.org.