The Curtis Klassen Memorial Fund (CKMF) enjoyed a record turnout at last Saturday’s Run & Walk to Remember.
Over 180 people participated in the 5k and 10k events, which co-organizer Eric Hildebrand says is a big jump from last year’s numbers.
“It’s just fantastic to see this kind of increase from previous years. I can’t be sure, but I have a feeling that the release of the documentary Altona might have played a part in encouraging more people to get on board. It brought back a lot of awareness about what took place, and how this event came to be.”
The weather was balmy and beautiful as participants made their way down the trails and roadways in the community, past crowds of cheering fans, many ringing cowbells and holding signs.
“There was a slight breeze, which was great for the runners,” Hildebrand notes.
They were from all walks of life, from dedicated athletes and families with strollers to seniors, youngsters, and groups walking or running together for a cause.
At the end of the day, everyone gathered back at the Altona Centennial Park for a barbecue supplied by Sun Valley Co-op, with bouncers on hand to occupy the little ones.
“We’re very thankful for their support this year, and over all the years,” Hildebrand says. “As a committee, we are extremely grateful for the community support we receive for this event, from the phenomenal support from local businesses, as well as our volunteers. We couldn’t host this community event/fundraiser without everyone involved.”
Between registrations and donations, Saturday’s fundraiser generated just over $15,000. This pushed the CKMF to surpass a total of $100,000 raised over the last decade and re-invested back into the community.
A flow-through fund of the Altona Community Foundation, the CKMF was established by a group of Klassen’s friends. It supports young athletes in the Altona area by helping to fill the needs of grassroots sports organizations and even a few community projects.
This year, they donated funds to the Altona Youth Soccer Program to allow them to purchase a set of jerseys for another team.
“By us being able to facilitate that, they can keep their registration fees affordable,” Hildebrand says.
“Every cent that we bring in, we put it right back into the community,” he adds. “Wherever there are needs, we are eager and excited to be part of those needs.”
Smaller donations go out to other groups such as Altona Minor Baseball, who are helping some families with registration fees.
Community-based events and projects are also included in their giving, such as the play structure at the Centennial Park and the Altona Memory Garden.
The CKMF also offers two annual high school scholarships at W.C. Miller Collegiate for students pursuing post-secondary education with some interest in sports.
“We’re always looking for local needs, and we encourage people to come forward with their asks,” Hildebrand says. “We want to be a place where people can look for support.”
