During October, 18 members of the York University Retirees’ Association (YURA) and one University staff member participated in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to raise funds to help endow the three Graduate Student Awards that YURA funds annually.
Eight YURA members gathered at High Park on Oct. 6 to complete a 5 km walk/run. Other YURA participants completed their 5 km, 10 km, half marathon or full marathon on their own in their respective home neighbourhood.
The Scotiabank Charity Challenge – in previous years, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Charity Marathon – was held this year as a virtual event. With the help of York’s Advancement Office, YURA applied and was approved as an eligible charity.
Participants registered for the event through a fundraising page generated by Race Roster, an online app; sought sponsorships from former colleagues and co-workers, family and friends; and completed their run or walk (5 km, 10 km, half marathon, full marathon) between Oct. 1 and 31 anywhere.
As of Nov. 12, a total of $24,105 has been raised, surpassing the $20,000 goal which YURA had set for the event. Combined with funds previously raised or contributed by York’s retirees, more than $59,000 of the $115,000 needed to endow the three Graduate Student Awards has been secured. Additional (tax deductible) donations to sponsor the YURA team can still be made using Race Roster until Nov. 23 at: https://raceroster.com/events/2020/27138/2020-scotiabank-toronto-waterfront-marathon/fundraising-organization/24199.
Thanks to organizers, Ian Greene, Peter Victor and John Wilson. Congratulations to all of the fundraising participants: Charmaine Courtis, Steve Dranitsaris, John Lennox, Peter Victor, Fran Wilkinson, Natasa Bajin, John Miller, Wendy Chan Tang, David Dimick, Liz Dolan, Ed Lee-Ruff, Donna Smith, Fazyah Mohammed, Pat Murray, Sheelagh Atkinson, Tony Turrittin, David Leyton-Brown, Jane Turrittin and Marisa Barlas of York’s Advancement Office.
In pursuit of fully endowing these Graduate Awards, YURA is aiming to double its number of participants in next year’s Scotiabank Charity Challenge.