More than 160 people laced up their running shoes and opened their wallets recently to gather, walk, and raise $21,000.
The funds support the Women and Children’s Fund at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation (CKHAF), and were raised at the inaugural Strong Starts for Tiny Hearts 5K Walk, Run & Stroll, which took place May 31 in Chatham.
Held at Mud Creek in Chatham, the family-friendly event welcomed runners, walkers, families, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters from across the community, all united behind a common goal: helping provide enhanced equipment, resources, and care for local women, children, and infants at CKHA.
Funds raised through this year’s event will support equipment, enhanced care, and healthier futures for the families who rely on CKHA’s Women & Children’s program.
“Seeing our community come together in support of local women’s and children’s health care was incredibly meaningful,” said Kristen Fife, an event organizer and a nurse in the Women & Children’s Program at CKHA. “Every participant, volunteer, sponsor and donor played a part in helping ensure women and children in Chatham-Kent have access to compassionate, high-quality care close to home. We are so grateful for the overwhelming support shown at this year’s event.”
Fife and her co-organizer, Shannon Verschraegen, credit the success of the event to the support of volunteers, donors, participants, and community partners.
“Events like this show just how our community cares about supporting local health care,” said Verschraegen. “Every registration, donation and sponsorship helps make a difference for families receiving care at CKHA. It was incredible to see so many people come together and help create stronger starts for our tiniest patients.”
