York team ‘fund-races’ for Counselling & Disability Services

More than 35 York University faculty, staff, alumni and friends participated as Team York University  in the 2009 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sept. 27. The team spent an enjoyable morning taking part in the marathon events while raising funds for special services for York students.

Members of Team York University were part of the larger Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge that gives runners and walkers the opportunity to represent their favourite charitable organizations on race day.

In all, Team York University raised over $7,000 in support of Counselling & Disability Services (CDS). They successfully ran or walked in the five-kilometre, half-marathon and marathon events that make up the annual charity event.

 
Above: Members of Team York University who participated in support of CDS. From left to right, top row, Mary Stasiuk (BA ’95, BSW ’00, MSW ’05), Amina Hussain (BAS ’94), Myrna Buize, Adriaan Buize, Aseel Al-Khalili, Marc Wilchesky (PhD ’80) and Vitali Rosen. From left to right, bottom row, Tammy Britcher, Mona Frial-Brown and Saima Hasan (BA Hons. ’08).

This was the first year that York University Foundation registered as an official charity for the event. Dedicated team members began fundraising and training in early June and found the event a rewarding experience.

"The run was an outstanding and fun way to raise funds for Counselling & Disability Services, and to be a part of the larger community," said Paul Marcus, president and CEO of York University Foundation.

Left: From left, Paul Marcus, Tammy Britcher and Wendy Winters pose together before the marathon

Jayne Greene-Black, an adviser with Learning Disability Services at CDS, expressed how the run achieved funding goals and demonstrated the range of the team members’ personal abilities. "There is an exhilarating energy that comes with running and walking with 20,000 other people to assist over 80 worthy charities," said Greene-Black. "This event demonstrates what people can accomplish when they work together to achieve positive goals for the common good."

For more information, visit the 2009 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Web site. For information on counselling and disability services for York students, visit the CDS Web site.