It is people who make a community and never has that feeling been more apparent in my eyes than last Saturday when I headed out to help put some signs out for the Children’s Wish Foundation charity walk.
It was just after 8 a.m. and Ethel Tucker Park was a hub of activity as several young families were busy doing a variety of jobs to prepare for a day like no other.
It was anticipated more than 250 people of all ages would come out to enjoy a short walk along the river and then stick around as the kids coloured a huge banner, made flags, listened to music, practised their roping skills and had photos taken in a variety of costumes.
Not to mention a fantastic free lunch for all the participants. I want to take you through the emotions of the day, but will not mention the sponsors as I am sure I would miss some. A list of all the sponsors will be in The Wheel in the near future.
The committee was on pins and needles wondering just what to expect. By 9:30 a.m. the park was filling fast with families of all ages. There was coffee and mini doughnuts for those who had missed breakfast. More than $40,000 had been pledged in advance for the charity. The committee members dreamt maybe just maybe they would hit the $50,000 mark, enough for five wishes.
Registration moved along at a fast pace but the people kept coming. After some words about the foundation off we went on a one kilometer walk. It was so cool to see the line of people stretched out from the library all around the Sheep River pathway over the walkway, west to Southridge, over the traffic bridge and east back to the park.
When we were walking back into the park a fellow grabbed me and said I was the 700th across the finish line. I assumed he was kidding but later learned volunteers were counting the people in the park. Can you believe there were more than 900 area residents at the event?
Now the best part is approximately $70,000 was raised blowing everyone away and exceeding the biggest dreams possible.
Hearing what was accomplished by a group of young families put a tingle through my body. As the community came together to put on this fantastic event the list of volunteers and sponsors is incredible. The cost to put this on in real dollars was less than $500.
People often ask me what it is I like the best about the Okotoks area and I have always answered it’s the people. Here we are proving once again the people in this area are second to none.
Congratulations to a fantastic group of volunteers, sponsors and residents who once again have proven there is nowhere better to be than right here.
6
This Saturday Source for Sports will be donating all their proceeds from skate sharpening to stopconcussions.com an online concussion/neurotrauma educational and awareness hub for all sports, which addresses the growing trend of concussions in sports..
