In what has become a beloved seasonal tradition in Wallaceburg, 90 runners took to the streets on Dec. 7 to celebrate the Christmas spirit of giving.
The 13th annual Jingle All the Way Run raised approximately $1,800 to donate to the Elder Tree program which will provide 50 senior citizens in need with various items, including ornaments, cards, and personal items.
Participants in the 5K run dressed in all manner of Christmas garb and finished the event at the Black Goose for breakfast.
Karen Eddleston founded the event at the Power Attic Gym with her running group known as the “Squirrels.”
“A group of girls would run and we called ourselves the Squirrels because when a car would come along, we would just scatter to the side of the road like squirrels,” she laughed. “We ran in Sarnia for a while but then realized we could just do this at home. We started with 44 people and we try to cap it at about 90 people or so.”
Eventually, the group partnered with the Defiance Running Club and Mark Childs, owner of the Black Goose.
“We used to collect canned goods and donate them to charity but now it’s so much simpler when we collect money because it can be used to buy exactly what’s needed. It’s just so much more effective.”
Funds for Elder Tree are also raised through a penny sale organized by Tina Vilaranda at the Canadian Belgium Dutch Club.
“Tina does a lot of shopping for the seniors who will be getting help through Elder Tree,” she said.
“We’re just some good people out for a run for a good cause, “she said.
Mark Childs said “being alone at Christmas is not fun, and if our gift bag (made by a local sewing club) can remind them that someone cares, then mission accomplished. There is a lot of goodwill in our community.”
