Dozens of students from Victory Music and Dance and their relatives walked and danced down Mother Gaston Boulevard Saturday for the third annual Walkathon event.

It's part of the nonprofit's effort to raise money for its programs, and it also helps to raise funds for their annual recital in June. Their goal was to raise $15,000 to cover costumes and materials for their upcoming recital.

Victory Music and Dance offers classes on ballet, African dance, tap and a marching band. There are also free, beginner dance classes for some, providing a less expensive alternative to most performing arts programs.

It also helps prepare students for entering gifted high schools and the performing arts.