Run for the Kids seeks participants

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

A new fundraising initiative for the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent (CTCCK) is off and running.

Registration has opened for the Run for the Kids, an inclu- sive event slated for June 25 in Rondeau Provincial Park.

The goal for the inaugural event is $50,000.

Erin Genge, community engagement co-ordinator for the foundation, said Run for the Kids is part of the reconfigured slate of fundraising initiatives put on by the foundation this year and heading forward.

“The CCT Foundation has really redesigned our events this year, and focused on raising community awareness and funds,” Genge said. “We’re looking at our kids and our families and how we can support them.”

With the shift in fundraising –the foundation is no longer running the Festival of Giving, for example – events are geared to be more family-focused in general.

“Looking at a race was something we thought would be a really good fit,” Genge said. “This gets our families out to do something we all enjoy, in the beauty of Rondeau.”

Kevin Owen, vice-chair of the foundation, race captain and an ultra-marathon runner, sees the run as a good fit.

“It’s great that CTC Foundation has created a new event that focuses on our CTC kids and the health and well-being of our community,” he said in a media release. Run for the Kids will encourage participants to run/walk/wheel and enjoy the beauty of nature while raising funds for the CTC Foundation.

Genge said it is very inclusive, with options for people of all ages.

“People can move their bodies in whatever way they can – walking, running, in a wheelchair, with strollers,” she said. “It’s all about coming together and supporting the CTC. We’re looking to have people come out for the 5K event to walk or run, and we’re inviting families to come out and have their kids take part in a Kiddie Run of 200 metres.”

The 5K is also open to children as well, she stressed.

“It’s for anyone who wants to come out,” Genge said. “This is open to all abilities and paces. We have a finisher party that is going to be bringing up the rear. Their job is to make sure everyone is having a great time.”

Participants can join the Run for the Kids by registering, collecting pledges and coming out for a day of family fun and movement.

“Because it’s a CTC Foundation event, you can be sure it will be lots of fun,” Owen said.

“And Rondeau is the ideal place to walk, run, or wheel through, while raising money to support the important therapies that CTC offers one out of five kids in Chatham-Kent.”

Not all services at the CTC are covered by government funding. Programs such as social work, therapeutic recreation services and music therapy are all funded by the CTC Foundation.

More details about the Run for the Kids can be found at the CTC Foundation website.