Terry Fox Run plans coming together

FORT FRANCES—With the annual Terry Fox Run coming up Sunday, Sept. 17, the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau is seeing a great response so far to its call for participants, volunteers, and sponsors, say organizers.
“Plans are well underway,” Maureen Fitzpatrick of the Volunteer Bureau noted Wednesday. “The community is showing its support. We’re looking forward to it.
“Community businesses are getting behind the event,” she added, noting Gillons’ Insurance has donated 10 cases of water while MacDonald Motors has donated money, to name but two.
But of course, more sponsors, particularly for the barbecue lunch and draw prizes afterwards, always would be appreciated.
“Things are on a roll. Volunteers are coming forth and we’re hoping to have lots of participants,” enthused Fitzpatrick.
Pledge forms for participants are available now at the Volunteer Bureau (in the old CN station) and at the Community Living Fort Frances and District transitional services office (338 Scott St.)
(The Terry Fox Run is planned out by a committee, co-ordinated by the Volunteer Bureau, with its main sponsor being Community Living Fort Frances and District).
Participants can choose to collect pledges face-to-face or via the Terry Fox website (www.terryfoxrun.org), where they can register and collect pledges online.
The local Terry Fox Run committee also would like to see fundraising challenges among local businesses, with teams of co-workers getting together to raise money for cancer research.
“Anyone who wants to do it, we’re very interested in hearing from them,” said Fitzpatrick, adding letters were sent out to 50 organizations about this “corporate challenge” and some already have signed up.
Last year, a number of groups registered for the run, including Energy Fitness, Curves, Herbal Magic, the United Native Friendship Centre, UNFC Li’l Eagles, and Rainycrest Home for the Aged.
The 2005 Terry Fox Run drew about 170 pledged participants and brought in around $15,000. Marj Katerick once again was the top pledge-getter, raising her goal of $2,005, while Joyce Gosselin raised the second-most money ($1,101).
As in past years, registration for the Terry Fox Run will take place at 1 p.m. in front of the Volunteer Bureau.
That will be followed by a warm-up with a representative from Energy Fitness Centre, with the run starting at 2 p.m.
From there, participants will walk, run, jog, bike, or otherwise get themselves to Pither’s Point via Central Avenue, Second Street East, Victoria Avenue, and the La Verendrye Parkway (Front Street).
A free barbecue meal will be held at the end of the roughly five-km route.
For those who want to really show off their Terry Fox spirit, T-shirts are available for purchase at the Volunteer Bureau and transitional services office at a cost of $15 each.
Anyone wanting to be a participant, volunteer, or sponsor can call the Volunteer Bureau at 274-9555 or drop by there Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for more information.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)