York team puts the ‘fun’ in fundraising for Counselling & Disability Services

More than 35 faculty, staff, alumni and friends of York participated as Team York University in the 2010 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday, Sept. 26.

Team York University was 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 the five-kilometre, half-marathon and marathon events that make up the annual charity event.

Above: 5K participants, from left to right, top row, Pearl Lamont, Marc Wilchesky (PhD ’80), Wendy Winters, and Carine Chan (BA ’04). From left to right, bottom row, Paul Marcus, Mona Frial-Brown, Wade Hall and Liz Veness (BA ’96).

Running in support of Counselling & Disability Services (CDS) at York for the second year in a row, the team has raised more than $15,000 – including almost $8,000 this year – to create a new endowed bursary for students who access CDS. Through the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS) program, all money raised for this bursary will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Ontario government.

“It was amazing to see our York University community come together for such an important cause,” said Paul Marcus, president and CEO, York University Foundation. “The atmosphere was indescribable and everyone had a blast. We all walked away feeling good about what we had accomplished for Counselling& Disability Services.”

Team York University was initiated by staff members from CDS in 2009 and York has been an official charity for the event for two years running. Working together, the York University Foundation and CDS have recruited and encouraged team members in their training and fundraising efforts over the last few months.

Right: Full and Half Marathon participants, from left to right, Alan Paterson, David Trick (BA ’77), Janet Palmer (BA ’71, MBA ’74) and Bud Purves (BA ’72)

“What a great team and a beautiful morning for a marathon! This run brings together York alumni, students, faculty and staff for a good cause,” said York University Alumni Association board member David Trick. “Everyone at York should make plans to be part of next year’s team.”

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