The Superhero Run

By Caleb Workman

Superhero Run

Sept. 27, 2014

 

The Superhero Run

Superheroes were running with a cause at this year’s “Superhero Run” at Malden Park to raise money for the John McGivney Children’s Centre.

Friends, family and supporters gathered at the centre on Sept. 27, for the morning five kilometer run. With plenty of volunteers and a large turnout of people, the event was considered a success.

“We thought it would be cool to dress up as superheroes and make our own costumes,” said Kelsey Willms, 22.

This was Willm’s first year attending the Superhero Run. She came with her friends Nicole George, 22, Michelle Wielink, 21, and Willm’s sister Amber Willms, 24.

“When Nicole told me about it… I said 100 per cent, I want to do that, it sounds like a lot of fun,” said Wielink.

The high spirits of the participants was encouraging for Jason Charbonneau, the event co-ordinator.

“This is our first year,” Charbonneau said. “We’ve had a great turnout. We were expecting a lot and I feel like we’re there. We’ve delivered and we’re really, really excited.”

Charbonneau said that the “Superhero Run” was sparked by the success of similar runs in the Southern US. HCA Mindbox, a Windsor marketing and communications agency, also took part in the event by sponsoring and helping organize the event.

“There is no firm money goal,” Charbonneau said. “Any dollar raise is good and the centre will make money today.”

He also said awareness was a big issue. “People know the name ‘the John McGivney’s Children’s Centre,’ but they may not know what goes on here or what kind of programs are out here.”

CEO of the centre Elaine Whitmore said that all money raised will go towards the growing number of projects at the centre. The centre helps 2,500 children every year and this number raises by five per cent every year. They also have many new building projects including the healing garden project, which has already received a start-up payment of $5,000 from the local Rotary. Between these two factors that keep raising expenses the children’s centre has a lot to keep up with financially.

“We’re very happy to see the great community support from this event,” said Whitmore. She hopes to see the number of participants grow every year in this event and any others that are held in the future.

Whitmore has been asked why the government should fund the children’s centre when put against other agencies and she responds, “The services not only benefit the children and their families, but also the community. We have children who receive early intervention with very positive outcomes. They become more independent, and with that they can really participate in the community much more.”