Dedicated to their cause
Stratford 24-hour walkathon supporting youth leadership development
Zoe Sharpley has been joining other young people at the Stratford Youth Centre for the annual fundraising walkathon for almost four years.
Each year, they walk to raise money for the centre. But this year, most of the funds will be going towards a leadership trip this summer.
The Stratford Youth Centre, a program operated by the Town of Stratford, is designed for children in grades 5-12. Its goal is to help them prepare for adulthood and develop their leadership skills through volunteering in recreational and social activities.
The members of the Stratford Youth Centre will be walking from 8 a.m. on March 8 to 8 a.m. on March 9 at the indoor track at the Stratford Town Centre.
Zoe is one of 25 young people completing a walkathon. She looks forward to the event every year and is excited to participate once again.
“It’s really a unique way to fundraise. It's something we do to gather funds for upcoming events. Using the money that we raise we are able to fund this trip and other projects for the community.”
Their goal is to raise $10,000 from their walk. The youth have been given an envelope and they go into the community, sometimes door-to-door, to raise money ahead of the event. There will also be boxes where people can make donations on the day of the walk.
“It's a really unique kind of day because it is 24 hours. It's not very often that you get a massive sleepover with about 40 other people. And we're all kind of tired but excited for the day. And so, we're all betting against who can get the most donations. It's a really good bonding experience with all the members.”
Duane Pineau, the Stratford Youth Centre co-ordinator, said each team will take turns walking, and they may have a break of two to three hours in between their laps.
Each participant is required to walk for six to eight hours during the 24 hours, after which time another member takes over. At least one member from each team must be walking at all times, he said.
“They don't really prepare much. They know what's expected of them. Some of them have done four or five of them by now. So, they're pretty familiar with how it works, and they always look forward to it. But the next morning afterwards, they're pretty worn out.”
He said the walkathon is part of many fundraisers the group organizes to raise money for its leadership trip, serving as a reward for their hard work over the previous two years under the Leadership Club. Currently, they've raised about $30,000 out of the $45,000 needed for the trip to Ontario this year.
“We are hopeful that we will reach our goal. We are positive about it, and we think it’s achievable. It's nice to see the dedication of the youths trying to do this."