Do you know who are the runners who will run for PARC on 26 September at ScotiaBank Toronto Waterfront Marathon? What about the Entertainment and the Sponsors? Read more.

Neighborhood Champions

Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo

Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo is running this half marathon on behalf of the Parkdale Activity Recreational Centre, one of the country’s best community ‘living spaces’. She has been active fighting poverty for decades and introduced the 10 dollar minimum wage bill that led to a 28 percent raise for a million Ontarians. She’s also introduced a number of housing Bills including that housing be made a human right and one allowing inclusionary zoning. Cheri, who performed the first legalized same sex marriage before the law changed in 2001, has also actively fought for human rights for all marginalized communities including tabling Tobys Act for trans persons. In this race, the first since she turned 60, Cheri dedicates her efforts to all those in need. Please give generously.

Please put a pledge on Cheri, TODAY, for PARC

Paul Miller

The picture is from the Charlottetown marathon a few years ago.  I have been running for 9 years now and have done 20 marathons including 11 of Canada’s provinces and territories. My goal is to eventually complete one in every province and territory. I currently train people for the half marathon distance race at the High Park Running Room where I hope to instill a love of running into all the people I coach. I run in the Parkdale neighbourhood several days during the week and can see first-hand the issues that some of our residents face.

Please put a pledge on Paul, TODAY, for PARC.

Peggy Nash

I’m a long-time runner.  I know the difference between a 5k race and the challenge of a marathon.  Many of the Parkdale folks who are assisted by PARC face so many hurdles, its as though they are constantly running marathons.   They need our help.  I have seen first hand the difference PARC makes in peoples lives.  As a long time community activist and former Member of Parliament, I have brought funds to Parkdale to create environmentally sustainable housing for low income residents, I fought for the creation of a national minimum wage and I advocated for the rights of tenants. Now I am urging you to give generously to help PARC with the incredible work they do for so many of our community members.  Thank you for your support.

Please put a pledge on Peggy, TODAY, for PARC.

Louis Dionne

It will be a great honour for me to represent PARC in the upcoming Waterfront Marathon. I love running of course, but much more importantly, I love the PARC community, which I joined as a staff member almost 20 years ago. While I could not even begin to describe the hardships I have witnessed over the past two decades, what has made the most vivid impression on me is the experience I have had of the almost limitless capacity of the human spirit to endure in the face of incredible, and often incredibly unfair, obstacles. Our community often seems to somehow find ways to rise above the wounds of its individual members, as well as the ongoing and profound challenges stemming from poverty, homelessness, disabilities, abuse, trauma, mental health issues and loneliness in order to create this living tissue we call PARC. The web thus woven a little more each day in turn promotes in everyone a shared feeling of safety, purpose and connectedness. Twenty years later, I continue to think that PARC makes a difference. It is a privilege to be a part of it. Your support is welcome.

Please put a pledge on Louis, TODAY, for PARC.

Charity Runners

Please support PARC Runners who are raising our flag in the community.

Victor Willis.           Executive Director of PARC           Support  Team PARC

Barbara Williams   Supporter of PARC                             Support  Team PARC

Julia Perron.           Volunteer with PARC                         Support Team Awesome

William Martinen  Supporter of PARC                             Support William

Richard Marshall  Supporter of PARC                               Support Richard

Wanda Bussiere     Suporter of PARC                                 Support Wanda

Entertainment

You will have the privilege to hear music that will be singing in your mind all week. Come and hear PARC Drummers and the Diaspora/Real Time.

PARC Drummers

The Drum Group is a dedicated and diverse group, that practices weekly as a component of a very lively PARC Music program, headed by Zephie James. James has worked to ensure that his leadership of this group would also encourage members to test their personal leadership skills. Peer leadership is used to inspire, support and teach new group members. This group rolls whether or not staff are in attendance, making this a truly member led experience.

The weekly drum rehearsal is an exercise in musical community development. Participants learn by doing, improving their musical skills and ears by making music directly. The PARC drummers established themselves as a group in 2003 and have since acquired a long CV of performance highlights.

Diaspora

The band, Diaspora was formed in 2007 and is a blend of some of the finest musicians in the Canadian Music industry. They are seven very talented, artistic and creative musicians and vocalists who have been around on the music circuit for many years as members of well known bands in the industry.

Members are of Caribbean and European backgrounds and these influences are evident in their music. Their repertoire is a blend of the latest covers, old favourites, and originals presented in funk, smooth jazz and reggae forms.

The Booth Sponsors

We are grateful to sponsors in the community who are supporting PARC to have the most attractive and meaningful Booth in the Marathon. We are proud of  you. With you we are achieving a lot.

If you would like to know more about the benefits of sponsoring this event with $ 250, $500, $1000 or more, please contact Charmaine directly at 416-537-2262 ext. 244

Together is Better

RUN, PLEDGE, CHEER

Come out and support PARC at September 26, 2010

Walk/Run – 5km or Half Marathon or Full Marathon

Be a Runner!

To REGISTER as a runner go to: http://eventsonline.ca/events/crs_scotia/

**For discount use code CCDISC**

After you register in order to start fundraising you must go to here

Once your fundraising page is set up, you can send a link to your friends/family and they can sponsor you!

**(If you raise $250 for PARC, your registration fee will be reimbursed)**

Do you know PARC runners ?

Be a Sponsor!

Not a Runner? SPONSOR a PARC runner. Go to this link and select Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre.

Be a Spectator!

Want to do more? Come out on September 26, 2010 in front of the Boulevard Club from 8-10 am and cheer on the runners, as part of the “Neighbourhood Challenge” for a chance for PARC to win $6000! There will be live entertainment and food!

http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/nc/nc2.htm

ANY QUESTIONS?

Charmaine Frado (416) 537-2262 ext. 244 cfrado@parc.on.ca