To provide a safe place for women in need and raise awareness of domestic violence, the Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation is holding its first annual fundraiser this weekend.
The Jessica Martel Memorial Run will take place on Sunday, June 23 in Morinville. Foundation founder Lynne Rosychuk said more than 160 people have already signed up, with more expected to register before the event.
“Morinville has been so supportive of us since we started,” she said.
“Our goal was to raise about $5,000 because we have never done this before and we are well over that. It’s been a huge community support.”
The Jessica Martel Foundation was founded following the death of Rosychuk’s daughter. Martel was stabbed and strangled to death on April 29, 2009 by her husband.
She had decided to leave him that day after years of abuse, but her escape was discovered. Martel’s three children, all under the age of seven, were found cowering in their rooms after witnessing the death of their mother.
The foundation is fundraising to build a safe house dedicated to serving women in the area.
Rosychuk said the run raises funds but also creates awareness for their cause and involves the community in their project. The need for a safe house in the community is immediate, she said.
“Just in this past week-and-a-half I received 12 calls, all women who have different needs and need different things from us,” she said. “But still 12 calls is a lot in a week.”
Rosychuk said the run is the first official fundraiser put on by the foundation. They also plan to have a dinner in November to raise money for their cause. About $1 million will be needed to build a safe house, but Rosychuk said they would also consider leasing a house for some time.
The five kilometre run and walk will start Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of 101 Avenue and 107 Street.
Participants will receive a free t-shirt and pancake breakfast. There will also be draw prizes and prizes for the top individual and team.
Registration takes place from 7:30 a.m. until 8 a.m. with adults paying $35 and youth paying $25 to participate.
