Organizers of the 2025 Run for the Kids are still talking about their “absolutely fantastic” event held June 22 in Rondeau Provincial Park.
The run saw about $120,000 raised for the Children’s Treatment Centre (CTC) of Chatham-Kent.
Mike Genge, president and CEO of the CTC Foundation, said the fundraising was in sprint mode, despite the heat.
He said the Run for the Kids is an excellent family participation event.
“I think the best part about the run is that our families can support the Children’s Treatment Centre, and this is the way to do it,” he said. “One little girl raised over $8,500.”
Genge described a moment that summed up the importance of the run.
“One little boy (Bowen Couture) on the kids run was dressed as Spiderman. He was the last one to cross the finish line and everyone in the place was lined up cheering for him. It was unbelievable,” Genge said of the 200-metre Kids Dash element of the day.
The family support and participation is rewarding, he added.
“I had so many people come up to me and say, ‘I understand why you do this,’” he said. “Our kids are participating. They’re part of it.”
All 300 slots for the 5K element filled up. But Genge said they had more than 500 people in the park for the run, as families came out in force.
The funds raised were about $3,000 more than the 2024 total.
And Handy Bros. delivered $30,000 of that.
Genge said the organization had raised $15,000 just prior to the race, but owner Mitch White opted to match the dollar total.
While the heat was present, Genge said the run took place in the shade. As well, there was plenty of hydration available.
The Lally Group donated a large quantity of bottled water, so much so that the Foundation donated leftovers to Outreach for Hunger food bank in Chatham.
Prodenchuk Produce donated apples and bananas for the event. Genge said what did not get consumed wound up donated to the Blenheim Youth Centre.
“We had tons of food and tons of water,” Genge said. “We had all these great donations and were able to donate a bunch of it to other organizations.”
Main run sponsor Enbridge Gas delivered a team, not of runners, but of 20 volunteers.
The Blenheim Shrine Club had about a dozen volunteers on hand. Genge said they showed up at 6:30 a.m. ready to help, and “worked their butts off all day.”
Lundy insurance, JMHI and the Ridge Community Landfill Trust also supported the event.
