Mitch Calvert
For Emo native Dennis Ogilvie, running is more than a just a hobby, it’s a passion.
The 23-year-old personal trainer, certified through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology after attending Niagara College, is putting his skills to use by running six 5K runs this summer to raise money for Watoto.
Watoto is an international charity that caters to African children who have lost their family or are vulnerable for other reasons.
Money raised goes towards building villages where orphans can be brought up in a family environment with all the necessary tools needed for them to grow up successfully.
“I figured so many other runners run for someone or something, so I wanted my running to extend beyond myself, as well,” Ogilvie explained.
“Watoto works with orphans and widows in Africa by providing them with a family to live.
“When I was trying to decide what organization I wanted to run for, it was a no-brainer choice,” he added.
Ogilvie was first made aware of Watoto when the travelling choir made up of orphans within the organization performed a show in Emo—and he’s been wanting to do his part to support the cause ever since.
Running requires a passion that makes it well-suited as a fundraising vehicle for causes such as this one, and Ogilvie will dedicate six runs this summer towards raising pledges.
He first hits the pavement for the “5K in May” organized by Energy Fitness here on May 2, and then plans to do two on May 10.
“I’ll go to Kenora that morning for the ‘Lake of the Woods 5K’ and then drive to Steinbach for the ‘Run for Mom,’” Ogilvie noted.
His fourth run on the schedule will come June 6 at the “Willy Walleye 5K” in Baudette, then he’ll head back there on July 4 for the “Firecracker 5K.”
He’ll wrap up with the “Hope Classic” in Winnipeg on Aug. 16.
“I’m donating whatever people give me to Watoto, and they’ll use it within their ministry however they see fit,” Ogilvie noted.
Those interested in pledging can contact Ogilvie’s dad, Dave, at ogilviedave@gmail.com or by calling 482-2540. Cheques are to be made out to Watoto Canada.
“If they don’t feel comfortable donating directly through myself, they can donate through the website at www.watoto.com and just e-mail us with the amount just so we can keep a running total of how much we raised,” Ogilvie said.
Money donated to the charity goes towards the development and maintenance of Watoto villages, which include clusters of homes, a nursery school, a kindergarten, primary school, high school, vocational training centre, water project, medical clinic, and a multi-purpose hall for use as a church and a community centre.
