The second annual RunWild Marathon is lacing up to hit the streets on Sunday morning. At the same time, one local hair salon will be giving many small heads of hair some wild style to match the marathon's energy. Both have their hearts in the right place, as some fine charities and organizations are set to benefit from the proceeds.
The marathon is sponsored by Leading Edge Physiotherapy. Last year's inaugural event welcomed 400 runners to the city, an outstanding number of people who also helped the Zebra Child Protection Centre. That Edmonton-based organization, now in its tenth year, offers a multidisciplinary team of police, psychologists, government representatives and other highly trained individuals to help children through trauma and help them through the justice system.
This year, RunWild will still help Zebra Child but another, more local group has been added as well. Grant Fedoruk, president of Leading Edge, announced that the St. Albert Senior Citizens' Club would share the proceeds. Even though children and seniors are at opposite ends of the age spectrum, he explained that that's exactly why they're both so important and need support.
"We decided we wanted to choose another community charity this year. We were looking for a similar charity where we could actually see the dollars that are being raised and donated go directly to things that we can see, knowing that it's getting used in a good way," he stated, adding that it would also be a good way to give them some free publicity because they aren't very well-known in the city.
Chantelle Labrecque, executive director at the club, is eagerly anticipating the financial and emotional support from the runners.
"It's pretty phenomenal!" she exclaimed. "It's going to do a lot for our organization."
She said that, while there is no way to guarantee the benefit, she is cautiously optimistic about receiving as much as $30,000.
That could very well be a safe bet, considering the multiplication factor. Fedoruk said that the goal this year is $100,000. He also confirmed that there are already almost 1,600 registrants for the race, four times the number from last year that raised more than $70,000 for Zebra Child. Only time will tell how everything will turn out but, as far as feet on the ground go, it looks like a lot of ground will be covered.
You can learn more at www.runwild.ca and www.stalbertseniorsclub.org.
Hair-raising scheme
While the race is being run, a lot of little boys and girls will be watching cartoons and eating candy as they get haircuts and styles at a local salon for tykes.
Beaners, located at Summit Centre, is hosting a Crazy Lids to Help Kids event on Sunday as part of a chain-wide campaign for the Kids Help Phone. Parents can come down and get their children's hair done in support of the Kids Help Phone, Canada's only free, national, bilingual, confidential and anonymous, 24/7/365 telephone and professional online counselling service for youth.
Owner Celia Siewert is very happy to be able to play her part.
"It's just something that we felt was important," she said.
Kids can get a 'crazy lid' (including blue streaks, blue gel, and other accoutrements) for a small donation.
The effort is held in conjunction with the Walk So Kids Can Talk event, held in Edmonton.
Kids Help Phone can be reached at 1-800-668-6868 or at www.kidshelpphone.ca.
Wash your dog, show your HART
The spring charity dog wash that everybody knows and loves is about to return.
The Humane Animal Rescue Team will be hosting this popular dog-grooming event on Saturday, May 12, and all the money will help the organization that helps abandoned and abused dogs in need in the greater Edmonton area.
"Even though the dogs attending the dog wash may not enjoy the suds, they will be refreshed and it will offer a fresh start to many rescues," stated HART director Lyndsay Tischer.
For a $20 to $30 donation, dogs will get a salon quality wash, dry, nail-trim, treat bag, and adorable bandana.
The event runs from 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Dirty Dog Spa, 10019, 167 St. in Edmonton. Appointments can be made by calling 780-489-9551, or at www.humaneanimalrescueteam.ca
