Walking the talk

The push is on! That's the word from Heather McKinnon, event co-ordinator of the annual Mayor's Charity Walk.

The event has been kicking up a fuss since 2001, not to mention kicking up thousands upon thousands of dollars to boost local community organizations' coffers. She said that this 15th year would not just be a milestone anniversary but also hopefully mark a record-breaking tally.

If all of the participants can collectively raise $95,559 then the cumulative total will top the $1 million mark. That means that there won't be a birthday cake but they do have a party in mind, if everything works out the way that they want it to.

"That's what we're really shooting for. We're really pushing for that. I think we can do it," she enthused. "We're really excited about that."

The annual event is the single most important fundraiser for 34 charities and community groups. Instead of each one exerting the time and energy to put on their own separate fundraisers, the event lets everyone all walk together at one time. What's more, 100 per cent of the proceeds go right into their bank accounts, with nothing being taken off the top for administrative costs, all thanks to perennial event sponsor, Roy Financial.

McKinnon is confident that participants will take this last week to sign up as many donors as possible to make this a banner year with the big goal in mind. She said that the total take in 2014 was greater than $102,000 for example and that was with one fewer charity than this year.

"It's actually looking really good."

She couldn't speculate about how close they are until the day of the event when the pledge sheets start rolling in. It should be a walk in the park, she concluded.

"A walk … or a run."

Profile of a group

The Edmonton chapter of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association has been with the Mayor's Charity Walk for the last decade. The organization's program co-ordinator Cindy Gordon said that it's because there's nothing else like it. That, and it's an exceptional event.

"We don't have a similar one here in Edmonton. A lot of our members also come from St. Albert," she stated. "It is just so well organized. It takes a lot of work and manpower and these guys do it so beautifully."

The association offers support, advocacy, scholarships, and programs including classes and conferences, such as the one on hearing loss and mental health coming up on May 2. That will feature some players on the Edmonton Eskimos who will talk about their experiences with their own hearing loss.

She said that there are approximately 100,000 people who are hard of hearing in the metro Edmonton area alone.

"This is the largest population of disabled people in the country."

The organization has around 20 walkers set to participate in the event. They will be handing out earplugs as part of their work to help prevent hearing loss as well.