What could be better than a twilight run or walk around beautiful Westwood Lake?
Edgewood Treatment Centre presents its eighth annual 6K Run for Recovery on Friday, June 22 with proceeds going to the Island Crisis Care Society.
Edgewood is a premier, private residential treatment centre specializing in the treatment of addiction and mental health. Its Nanaimo campus is acknowledged as one of the top drug and alcohol treatment centres in North America.
Edgewood does serious work, and has helped a lot of people in their recovery from addiction and mental illness. But the point of the Recovery Run is to get together as a community, indulge in some healthy activity and have a lot of fun, says Edgewood marketing manager Bonnie Bartlett.
Win a Heli-Jet trip to Vancouver
“We’ll have all sorts of other activities going on in the park pre- and post-run,” she says. “We’ll have a giant barbecue, bouncy castle, some balloon twisting and face painting.
“There’ll be a massive silent auction and a huge raffle draw this year. Our big raffle prize includes a return trip via Heli-Jet to Vancouver, BC Lions tickets and one night accommodation.”
Island Crisis Care Centre, the recipient of all proceeds this year, is a local nonprofit organization that works with some of the most vulnerable people in the community. They provide housing and safe places as well as having varying levels of recovery homes as part of their mandate.
“Community’s involvement gives me goosebumps”
Bartlett says Edgewood is proud of their fundraising – “152,441 dollars and 25 cents” over the years, she says – but the most important goal is to raise awareness that there is life after addiction.
“We want to really show people that have been touched by addiction in one way or another that recovery is possible. We want to give them that hope and gather our community. It’s all about raising awareness and advocating for recovery.”
Bartlett says the run depends on “amazing sponsors that step up and donate raffle items.”
“It’s the involvement of the whole community that really gives me goosebumps, when the race starts and I see how many people come out,” she said. “We had over 400 people attend last year. And we’re looking to meet or exceed that this year.”
Race registration is a t 6 p.m., and the run starts at 7 p.m. sharp. For more information or to register, visit The Running Room, or contact Francois Brassens at funrun@edgewood.ca.