The annual Multi-Service Center Trail Walk and Run returns Sunday, June 11 at Memorial Park in Tillsonburg.
Participants in the 10th annual family event will walk or run 2.5-km or 5-km routes around Lake Lisgar (a 1.25-km loop) starting in Memorial Park at 10:30 am
There will be activities for the kids, including a bouncy castle, refreshments and prizes. Tillsonburg firefighters will have a truck on display, and Turtlefest mascot George T. will be on site to meet the children.
“We’re excited to offer it again,” said Kathryn Leatherland, MSC executive director. “It’s at Memorial Park again – it was a great location for us last year.”
The Trail Walk and Run is the MSC’s largest fundraising campaign. This year’s goal is to raise $8,000, and all of the funds stay local ‘helping others in the community embrace their personal independence.’ Funds raised will help support program enhancements such as volunteer recruitment, and training for Meals on Wheels and Literacy Tutor program volunteers, which continue to be in high demand. It will also go toward purchasing new literacy materials and technology. And to help cover shortfalls in transportation and meal expenses for seniors, which Leatherland noted is a growing issue for many in the community.
“Hopefully people will come out and have some fun,” said Leatherland. “It’s a fun outdoor event with kind of celebratory atmosphere. It’s family-friendly and pet-friendly too. So bring your children, bring your grandchildren, or bring your dogs if you like to walk with your pets. We welcome them, for sure.”
Zehrs Tillsonburg is the title sponsor, and all participants are invited to stay afterwards for a free barbecue. Inovata Foods and Oxford Technology Group are gold sponsors, and RBC is providing volunteer support.
“We’re going to have swag bags for each participant and there are going to be prizes,” said Leatherland, noting every child that participates receives a prize.
In-person registration starts at 9:30 am You can also register in advance through the MSC website’s (www.multiservicecentre.com/trailwalk/) calendarpage.