Cameron Penney
Wayne Lundstrom, a member of the Fort Frances Voyageur Lions Club here, is spearheading efforts to organize a five kilometre “Eye Run” in an effort to raise money for community members to travel to the CNIB Lake Joseph Centre next summer.
Lundstrom, who is visually impaired himself, recalled he first became interested in organizing a fundraiser after he had the opportunity to visit the centre himself.
“I really enjoyed [the trip to the camp],” Lundstrom recalled. “When I came back, I said to a friend, ‘A lot of people may not be able to go from this area.’
“I’d like to see more people go, and I want to see that become something in this community,” he reasoned.
Lundstrom considered various ways to raise funds before deciding on organizing a five kilometre run.
“I didn’t know the name of it at the time, I kept calling it a ‘5K’ because that’s what it is and I didn’t have a name for it,” Lundstrom explained, while adding that he considered calling it “Run for the Blind,” but felt it didn’t sound right.
“It hit me and I said it’s for eyes—so lets call it an ‘Eye Run,’ he enthused.
After clarifying the phonetic similarities between “I Run” and “Eye Run” with a friend, Lundstrom decided to keep the name.
The run, which is set for Oct. 15, will have a $35 registration fee for participants.
“We had to do it in October because September has so many runs going on, it would be too close together,” Lundstrom reasoned.
“Maybe next year I’ll be able to get it in an earlier month because it will all be organized,” he enthused.
“If it goes well, it will be an annual thing, and become bigger and better.
“I want to see how it works—you don’t know until you try it,” Lundstrom added.
While the event is an “Eye Run,” participants don’t necessarily have to run along the five kilometre course that will be set up along the waterfront.
“People may not be able to run, so why not do all types of fitness—it’s a fun thing,” Lundstrom reasoned.
“There’s going to be three mystery prizes, too; we’re not telling anybody what they are,” he hinted.
“There will be prizes for the first male runner that comes in, the first female runner, along with a younger participant.”
Lundstrom also hopes that by getting people involved in the “Eye Run,” he could potentially spread the work about getting involved with the Voyageur Lions Club here as well.
“This will be a good opportunity, and showing the public why I got into Lions,” he stressed.
“I got into Lions to help the community. Over the seven years I’ve been with the Lions, I’ve continued to learn—you learn all the time,” he added.
Lundstrom recalled that when he first wanted to participate in the Polar Plunge, he was initially told that since he was blind, he wouldn’t be able to jump in the lake.
“I said I want to do it—we found a way to do it,” he stressed. “I can’t jump myself, because I can’t jump in the water when I can’t see too well, so I go with somebody.”
“We practiced in the pool so I know how to leap in the water because I’ve never done that,” he explained.
Lundstrom has jumped into the frigid water for the Polar Plunge four times now, but noted because of age and health, he will no longer continue to do so.
“I want to focus on [the ‘Eye Run’] and help people like myself in the community,” he enthused.
“I want to get this off the ground, and I want to get the community involved to help other people like myself enjoy the camp,” added Lundstrom.
“Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean my head doesn’t work.”
Anyone seeking more information on the “Eye Run,” or wishing to get involved can contact Lundstrom directly at 276-5223.
