Community News

WALKATHON RAISES $2,700

FUNDS GO TOWARD COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

SARAH COOKE scooke@metroland.com

COVID-19 couldn't stop this year's Charlie and Sadie Memorial Walkathon — hosted by the Kearney Lions Club — and the weather on Saturday, May 7 was filled with sunshine.

A total of $2,700 was raised, according to Heather Pateman, a member of the Kearney Lions Club and daughter of the couple for whom the walkathon is dedicated. Three years after her father, Charlie Fetterly, died in 1993, the walkathon was created to raise funds for the construction of a park pavilion

"Dad was for anything that was for the kids, community and his own," said Pateman, adding that now that the pavilion has been built, the funds raised go toward community improvement projects.

"Now funds are raised to continually upgrade the park with new playground equipment, boardwalk on the water and upgrades," she said.

The walkathon, which is now dedicated to both Pateman's parents with the death of Sadie in 2008, is 10 kilometres in length. It originally ran from the Scarborough Outdoor Education Centre at the end of Echo Ridge Road and back to the Kearney Fire Department.

"Fetterley's school bus was used to bus everyone up there and then you walked back," Pateman said, adding when the use of the bus no longer was an option, the route was changed and now starts at the fire hall. People walk Rain Lake Road for five kilometres and then back again.

"Truth be told, it was also thought if we made the route easier, we could get more walkers," she said. "Echo Ridge Hill was a killer." Despite a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Charlie and Sadie Memorial Walkathon celebrated its 27th year on May 7.

On top of the walkathon, the Kearney Lions also held a street cleanup which saw several volunteers out to help clear litter and debris from the streets.

"I would like to thank this awesome community we live in for their contributions," said Pateman of the money raised to benefit the Kearney area.

NEWS COMMUNITY

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2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281552294466514

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