Displaced Fort McMurray fire victims receive 300 pairs of donated running shoes
Banff Marathon Announces Program for Fort McMurray
What began in Fort McMurray on May 1st as a wildfire that grew to unimaginable proportions, has kept the Northern Alberta town in the hearts of Canadians and especially Albertans, has thousands of displaced residents attempt to rebuild their lives.
By May 3, the devastation of 2,400 homes had shocked the nation. This is where neighbors, family and friends began an outpouring of love and generosity that continues today.
You can count Jack Cook, founder of Fast Trax running store in Edmonton as the latest contributor. Cook has donated 300 pairs of running shoes to displaced Fort McMurray residents who make Edmonton their temporary home.
In an email interview Cook shares how he wanted to help the Fort McMurray residents.
Here is our Q&A:
Q: What made you decide to help out the Fort McMurray residents?
A: When I heard the story and was running to the shop the next day, I spent the run deciding how we could help as I had burnt my house with a barbecue fire two years previous so I could relate to the loss and post fire I used running to deal with the stress so I decide to offer free running shoes to runners who had been displaced to Edmonton and posted the following on our Facebook page.
Running is a stress relief. If you are in Edmonton displaced by the fires in Fort McMurray and are in need of a pair of shoes to run, stop by the shop and we will get you set up in a free pair of older model shoes so that you can enjoy a run in the river valley and take your mind off things.
Q: How did it make you feel to help out some of the runners and how many?
A: It was quite the week, one I will remember for some time. I was very proud of the shop, our suppliers and staff and that we were in a position to help.
Q: How much clothing or inventory? A: In the end we gave away over 300 pairs of shoes.
Q: Are you the only Edmonton store? A: We have just the one shop in Edmonton, but there are other run shops in town, running room, united cycle, tech shop and MEC.
Q: What was the feedback been like? A: The post that I made received 524 likes and there has been an overwhelming out reach on Facebook, Twitter and email of customers sending their appreciation. It has been very special for me and the staff!
Q: Do you know of any other running stores helping out?
A: I am not aware of what the other running stores did to help, but I suspect each did their part in their own way.
Q: What is next for you? A: Running wise I am gearing up for outdoor track season and on the shop front we have various events we are involved in over the summer which keeps us hopping.
www.runwithit.ca Twitter: @christineruns YouTube – runwithitcb1
Today the Banff Marathon introduced a program to help recognize the hardships of the residents of Fort McMurray with the recent devastating fires. The Banff Marathon announced it is offering free race entry for any resident of Fort McMurray that would like to participate in the Marathon, Half Marathon or 10km distance. This applies retroactively to the participants from Fort McMurray that have already registered and any new participants that would like to take part.
For more information visit: www.banffmarathon.com