The organizers of the Curtis Klassen Memorial Fund Run and Walk to Remember are looking forward to this being a milestone setting year. Set for May 10th at Altona Centennial Park, the Manitoba Runners Association sanctioned event started in 2012. Organizer Ryan Hildebrand says they have raised over $95,000 to date.
"We will be breaking the $100,000 mark, and just a great milestone for us," he said. "We're really excited when we think of all the participants, and the volunteers over the years. We've had over 1100, probably close to 1200 participants. We've had over 700 volunteers help support us, some wonderful community involvement. It's a warm feeling when you come that Saturday morning, and you see the community gathered. Friends, family and just a lot of joy that it brings to those involved."
Fund and fundraiser has long history in Altona
The Curtis Klassen Memorial Fund was launched in 2008.
"We decided we would want to try to do something in the community with funds in Curtis's name, just to honour Curtis and then put some money to good use within the community," explained organizer Eric Hildebrand. "It was launched back in 2008, and then a few years later we decided to start an event in Altona, an annual 5K, 10K run and walk event in Altona, and we kind of use that as our catalyst to continue to bring in funds annually."
Over the years, about twenty-two different organizations have been supported with grants from the Fund.
"Curtis was a person that was very giving, and so one of the things we always looked at was he loved sports and was a great student as well," explained Ryan. "Some of the organizations we've given to are minor hockey, the grassroots sports organizations. We also support a couple of bursaries through W.C. Miller Collegiate and graduating students there, which is really exciting. Also underneath there, we do things like supporting the memory garden, playground projects. We've supported swimming lessons for newcomers."
Looking for under the RADAR opportunities
He noted supporting smaller organizations has been an important part of how the Fund is giving back to the community.
"Giving back to these smaller opportunities that maybe sometimes fly underneath the large projects that different foundations can give to, so our impact is we try and be meaningful to these small organizations," Ryan said.
And with that in mind, Eric stressed they would like to hear from any organization which could benefit from financial support from the Fund.
"We are not always aware of which organizations are in need," said Eric. " We do have a Memorial Fund donation request form, and so it's something that can sometimes be a challenge. We're trying to find the right fit for these funds, but it's okay if you come to us through our Facebook page and through our Instagram page, and just let us know what you're involved in, and what type of funds you might be looking for. If you have a project, we would be very willing to look into that, and to discuss that, and see if it fits our mandate in terms of where our funds go."
Registration remains open
Online registration is open through May 8th, with over 125 runners already signed up for the Curtis Klassen Memorial Fund Run and Walk to Remember.
Last year was a record breaker for the fundraiser with more than 180 participants, and the hope is to build on those numbers this year.