Parkinson Alberta held their first ever Step N’ Stride Fundraiser in Bonnyville this weekend at Little Leap Park. The organization says it was an overwhelming success.
“[We had] approximately 163 registered walkers” says organizer Lauren Looy. “Usually the walk happens in Lloydminster only and this year we decided to extend it to Bonnyville as well.”
Splitting the region into two walks seemed to pay dividends. Lloydminster raised $21,713 and Bonnyville $10,742. Add in $6000 in corporate donations between the two events and the grand total came to just under $40,000. Compare that to last year with just Lloydminster where just $25,000 was raised. “We really picked up our game this year. It blew me away to see the totals and the walkers and the support.”
Last November, Looy says she reached out to the community in Bonnyville, knowing a few people with Parkinson’s in the area. A support group was started and took off quickly. “The group has been growing by a person or a couple every meeting. They asked early on if I’d be interested in doing a walk here as well. I said why not? Let’s try it.”
Subway and Express Pizza both provided food for the event. “I’d just like to thank all of the corporate sponsors and volunteers out of Bonnyville” adds Looy. “and of course everyone who came for the walk and registered and was there not only to support Parkinson Alberta, but friends, family and loved ones. I’d just like to thank everyone for that.”
