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From The Hip: Terry Fox would have been so proud
Kevin Laliberte
for Smoky River Express
You would be hard-pressed to find a more unified demonstration of solidarity towards a cause than what we witnessed in the Smoky River region Sept. 27.
That day marked The Terry Fox National School Run fundraiser – an event aimed at carrying on the fundraising legacy left behind by the iconic Canadian hero and legend back in 1981.
This year's event in the region wasn't your typical run-of-the-mill fundraiser with High Prairie School Division students walking in their respective school yards or around town to help make a difference.
No siree.
In fact, it was the exact opposite with upwards of 700 staff and students from both Ecole Routhier School in Falher and Georges P. Vanier School joining forces in an effort to help make a positive difference in the fight to find a cure for cancer.
Leading the charge at G.P. Vanier was principal Nigel McCarthy. He came up with the concept to have staff and students step in the shoes of Fox for the afternoon by walking from Donnelly to Falher as part of an impressive fundraising procession.
McCarthy took it upon himself to recruit Alberta Health Services Emergency Medical Services, Smoky River Fire & Rescue, LaPrairie Group, Cargill, RCMP and the Sheriff's department as well as event sponsors Bigway and Falher Co-op and HPSD bus drivers to maximize exposure of the event as part of an eight kilometre parade route down highways 2 and 49.
To say this was no small feat is an understatement in its truest sense, especially considering all of the logistical hurdles and hoops involved the planning process.
But McCarthy, being the committed and inspirational educational leader he is, found effective ways to convince the powers that what the two schools were doing was far more powerful and reflective of the cause at hand than a mere walk in the school yard.
His efforts, combined with the assistance of Fournier, would prove to be contageous along the way, not only with the community and students, but also among staff, many of whom played instrumental roles in the success of the event.
When it was all said and done, the event generated approximately $8,300 in proceeds towards the cause.
Combine that with the results of the Sept. 16 Terry Fox Run in McLennan and that figure increases to just over $10,000 – an amazing result to say the least!
Congratulations on a job well done to everyone involved. Terry would have been so proud!
I know I was.
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