At least 115 people laced up their runners and pounded the pavement in Walnut Grove Sunday morning to help raise almost $5,000 towards keeping Terry Fox鈥檚 dream alive.
Among them, Kim Handley and a 10-member team from C&D Logistics.
Although this was the staff鈥檚 first time joining together in the Walnut Grove Terry Fox Run (hosted by Rotary Club of 91原创 Sunrise and the Township of 91原创), running as the C&D Cares team has been a regular monthly undertaking for the crew.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a way of promoting healthy living within the company,鈥� said Handley, who runs 5-km three times a week before work.
It鈥檚 also proves to be a great team-building exercise, she said, noting that Sunday鈥檚 team included a few of her coworkers family members, as well.
Ultimately, for Handley, Sunday鈥檚 fundraiser was about giving back to the community and helping an important cause.
Together, C&D raised $250 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
For Gary Philipson and his nine-year-old daughter Charlie, participation in the Walnut Grove run Sunday was a first.
Charlie had participated in past Fox Runs at school, but never the community event.
This was a way to remember several people in their life who 鈥� like Terry 鈥� lost their battle with cancer. That includes a family friend they lost a few years ago in Mexico and the mother of a school friend, Charlie explained.
They also have another family friend going through his own battle with the disease now, said Dad, noting its important to acknowledge the survivors, too.
For the father-daughter team, it was also a way to get out and exercising together 鈥� Gary running alongside Charlie on her bike the duration of the route.
They raised $20 for the cause Saturday, returning bottles.
Walnut Grove鈥檚 Kim and Gary Turton have been part of the local run for years, and anxious to share that tradition with their children 鈥� year-and-a-half-old Chloe and three-and-a-half-year-old Ashlyn.
鈥淲e want to make sure these guys will always know what it鈥檚 all about,鈥� Kim said of the run, noting they too have lost family and friends to cancer, while other close family members have triumphed over the disease.
Amber Egmore and her kids Riley, 11, and Aven, six, participated in this year鈥檚 run to remember an aunt and uncle from Vancouver who lost their battle with cancer last year.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to run it for them,鈥� Egmore said, noting that Riley donated $5 out of his own savings to the cause - on top of the family donation.
Rotary members welcomed the participants to the 37th annual Terry Fox Run.
鈥淲e can only imagine how Terry would marvel at the incredible fundraising efforts over the years,鈥� one Rotarian said.
鈥淎s you walk, run, or bike our route today, I hope you take a moent to reflect on your personal contribution to Terry鈥檚 legacy,鈥� he said. 鈥淵our compassion, sense of community, your faith in the cures to come allows this remarkable legacy to flourish, to strengthen, and to grow. The spirit of Terry Fox has a home in our wonderful community.鈥�
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