The Kindale Walk-A-Thon has so many ways for people to help the Kindale Developmental Association, have fun and win prizes.
The first Kindale Walk-A-thon April 18, 1970 brought out 159 walkers. In 1971, the youngest walker was three-year-old Fraser Bowles and a four-generation family headed by Roland Penney did the walk with a birthday celebration at the end.
Mike Luniw, now 87, was one of the first participants. “I didn’t have time to walk, so I ran,” he said. He won the award for the fastest time several times.
In 1975, there was a bed race and in 1977, they used 45 loaves of bread for sandwiches, 275 apples and oranges, 30 dozen cookies, 37 gallons of cold drinks and gallons of water for the 300 walkers. In 1982, the walk was shortened to four miles and Enderby, which had previously taken part, started its own walk. In 1985, Shirley Copeland collected the most pledges.
The year 1984 was a record one with 400 walkers; the oldest was Ted Mutz at 81. Partnerships have always been important for Kindale. In 1995, Kindale invited the First Armstrong Scouts and Community Services Teen Centre Committee to use the walk to support their own projects. In 2002, the walk-a-thon was a memorial to Sheila Shultz who had been the highest pledge earner since 1991. In 2003, the PVSS Cross Country running team, the Armstrong Spallumcheen Health Care Auxiliary and Armstrong Flower Shop were instrumental in collecting pledges.
A new trophy, Kindale Hero, was introduced by the Armstrong Lions for the Kindale individual who collects the most money. It was won by Charla Mulder in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, the Corporate Community Challenge was won by the Haugen Medical Group.
Kindale receives core funding from Community Living British Columbia but this does not cover all costs of the programs provided. Kindale is extremely grateful for the generous support of the community to maintain the quality and diversity of services.
The Walk-A-Thon, which starts at 9 a.m. Sunday from 3300 Smith Dr., Armstrong has a choice of two routes (maps given at registration). It’s a family fun day starting at about 10 a.m. when most people will be finished the walk. There will be a barbecue and pirate ship slide and bouncer by donation as well as a yard sale.
Participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible and start collecting pledges. The first 100 walkers receive a swag bag and there are prizes for the most money collected by an individual and the most money collected by a youth. The 2010 winner of the most money collected by an individual was Charla Mulder. There is also a corporate challenge, with the winner getting lunch at the office. Each registered walker who collects at least $10 in pledges will have a contribution of $5 made by Armstrong Pharmacy/Village Cheese and another $5 from Ladies World.
For more information and registration, contact Cindy Masters at 250-546-3005 or cindy_masters@kindale.net or see www.kindale.net.
