Community Strong Festival underway in the Sault
A series of marathons are being held this weekend in Sault Ste. Marie as part of the Community Strong Festival.
The fundraiser is a partnership between the Algoma Family Services Foundation and the local YMCA.
It’s designed to raise money for local mental and physical health initiatives, especially for the city’s youth who may not have access to mental health services or simple recreation.
The festival kicked off with a 5K colour run Saturday, which organizer Sonny Spina said was aimed at getting everyone out and running.
“One of the reasons we chose a colour run is that we really wanted to show that anybody can get involved, of any fitness level, and join in, join the conversation, join the community, and be a part of this,” said Spina.
Gail Provenzano, is the driving force behind the festival. The idea came about following the loss of her son, Brett, to suicide 12 years ago.
“After losing my son, I took up running. It started off with a 2K with the phenomenal Sault Striders group in Sault Ste. Marie. That, I found, was a peace of mind. It would help me get through a couple miles of not thinking about what has happened,” said Provenzano.
For Provenzano’s daughter, Marnie, this was her first 5K run. She said physical activity, and gatherings such as the Community Strong Festival, can be of great benefit to mental health.
“Part of the reason why people struggle so hard with their mental health is because we’re alone,” she said.
“Things like this bring people together around something that is focused on their better health.”
On Sunday, the BP61 run will held. “BP” stands for Brett Provenzano, and the 61 refers to his high school football number. It’s a 61 kilometre run, and will take place alongside separate full, and half marathon events.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
This Toronto restaurant is no longer accepting tips. Here's how it's going
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff – tipping is no longer accepted.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.