Meadow Park residents participate in Terry Fox Roll & Stroll event
Friday September 28, 2007 -- By Deron Hamel
For the second straight year, Chatham long-term care home Meadow Park has held its Terry Fox Roll & Stroll, an event which raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Last year’s Roll & Stroll was held in the home’s parking area, but because of inclement weather, the event was held indoors this time. About 15 residents participated in the Sept. 26 event, which raised $190 for cancer research. Residents received pledges from their families, staff members and volunteers.

The walk coincided with other events held in September around the world in honour of Terry Fox, the one-legged Canadian runner who ran his Marathon of Hope in 1980 to raise money for cancer research before succumbing to the disease.

While Meadow Park’s residents’ council donates money to the Cancer Society every year, the residents decided last year to become more involved in raising funds, says Joanne Jones, the home’s activity director.

“Rather than just writing a cheque, they wanted to participate,” she tells the Morning Report.

Jones, along with Lydia Swant, the home’s co-ordinator of volunteers and family services, came up with the idea for the walk.

Because a lot of the residents remembered Fox’s marathon, they were encouraged to hold a miniature version at the home, says Jones.

Due to its success last year, the Jones and Swant decided to hold it again.

This year’s walk began after dinner and took residents and staff members through all wings of the one-level home. The event attracted residents who could walk on their own, as well as residents requiring wheelchairs and walkers.

Activities like this not only serve as a fundraising opportunity, they also engage residents in keeping active, notes Jones.

“It reminded me of the Pied Piper, because as we were going down the hall, other residents (followed), and we got five or six hangers-on en route,” says Jones.

After the event, Jones says she received a lot of positive feedback.

“They all thanked me,” she says.

Resident Gloria Young, who participated in the fundraiser, attests to the event’s success.

“I really, really enjoyed it,” she says.