Rotary Huron Shore Run organizers June (left) and John Van Bastelaar created the Beat COVID-19 Challenge to raise funds for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) following the cancellation of the their annual fundraiser, resulting in an estimated $20,000.
Hub Staff
The Rotary Huron Shore Run (RHSR) is one of the key contributors to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) each year. The combined loss of SMHF's Gran Fondo fundraiser and RHSR will leave SMHF with a $250,000 shortfall in 2020.
The pandemic forced Run organizers June and John Van Bastelaar to choose a new route around COVID-19 obstacles in order to continue toward their fundraising goals. Their Beat COVID-19 Challenge called for local residents and supporters of the Run to participate in a new event where teams or individuals set their own targets and then requested five friends join the fun.
“Our Rotary Huron Shore Run committee is very pleased with the results of our Beat COVID-19 virtual challenge,” reported June Van Bastelaar in a July 2 email.
The Challenged called for participants to get creative and do an activity for 19 minutes, 19 times for the month of June. Teams walked, ran, biked, fished and even shot hoops during the month with some participants going above and beyond. Robert Ho from the Walker House completes his own half marathon and raised a total of $1,350. Sue Little clocked more than 500 kilometres on her bicycle and raised over $2,000.
The Troublesome Trekkers team, made up of Dave Bertrand, Stew Nutt, Nancy White, Kevin Champion, Chris Champion, Mike Pitzen, Bev Carlisle and Peter Day set out to ride at least 19 kilometres each day for 19 consecutive days. For every kilometre traveled, another teammate would donate 25 cents. Those funds, combined with fan donations resulted in a total of $2,436 being raised.
Coming out on top was CFUW Southport, a team of 27 women who completed 19 different activities over 19 days including walking, swimming, golfing, basketball, ping-pong and kayaking. Straying from the norm, the women also achieved 19 acts of kindness with their enthusiastic efforts yielding a grand total of $3,245, the most they have ever raised for the SMHF.
“All of the individuals and teams who participated are to be commended for their perseverance and commitment to raise funds for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation," wrote Van Bastelaar.
Donations from the following sponsors resulted in an additional $8,500: Bruce Power, Ontario Power Generation, the Society of Energy Professionals, Truly Nolen Pest Control, Dale’s Carpentry, Barry’s Construction, Square Deal Neil’s, Lakerange Service Centre, Martin’s Home Hardware and T.A. Stewart and Son Contracting.
While funds were still being tallied, Van Bastelaar anticipated a total of $20,000 to be presented to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation.
The Shaughnessy family committed to 19 bike rides over 19 days. From top left, Lillian Shaughnessy, Lindsay Shaughnessy, Simon Shaughnessy and Mitch Shaughnessy.
Suzanne Schoettler chose to paddle her way through the Beat COVID-19 Challenge helping the CFUW Southport raise $3,245 for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation.
CFWU Southport was the top fundraising group with 27 members taking part in a variety of activities over 19 days.
The Troublesome Trekkers team which totalled eight team members, set out to ride a minimum of 19 kilometres each day for 19 consecutive days. Between member donations and contributions from fans their team raised $2,436.
