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York University Retirees' Association
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2024 Charity Challenge Update

YURA Walkers Raise $16,000 for Student Food Support

Thirteen members of the York University Retirees’ Association, accompanied by three members of university staff, walked 5 km around the Keele Campus on October 1st to raise funds for student food support.  In total, $16,000 has been raised from donations received to sponsor walk participants from retirees, friends, family and former co-workers and colleagues.

YURA’s 5 km walk was held in conjunction with the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge, which offers a “virtual” option for registrants to do a 5 km run or walk on their own.  Holding this event on campus helps raise awareness about food insecurity among York students and brings attention to YURA’s efforts to help. 

YURA’s goal this year has been to raise funds to assist the YFS Food Support Centre and the student food bank at the Glendon campus as well as the “open fridge” and grocery card programs.  Responses to a Campus Well-being Survey conducted in the spring of 2023 indicated that one in four students struggles to afford food. 

The YURA contingent was delighted to have Steven Chuang and Art McDonald of Athletics and Recreation and Marisa Barlas of the Advancement Office join the walk on October 1st.  The 5 km event was organized by York retirees Debbie Hansen and Sheila Forshaw (captain of the 2024 YURA Charity Challenge team); other fundraising team members were Steve Dranitsaris, Peter Victor, Agnes Fraser and Donna Smith.  Other YURA participants who joined the team for the walk included Gwyn Buck, Marla Chodak, Grace Chui, Amina Hussain, Claudia Hungerson and Lynn Taylor.  YURA Executive member, Jane Grant was also on hand to host the group back at YURA’s new office in the Lorna Marsden Honour Court following the walk.

YURA Charity Challenge participants grouped at the entrance to the Lorna Marsden Honour Court. Front row: Grace Chui, Agnes Fraser, Claudia Hungerson, Lynn Taylor, Diane Woody, Sheila Forshaw. Back row Marla Chodak, Gwyn Buck, Donna Smith, Steve Dranitsaris, Jane Grant, Debbie Hansen, Steven Chuang, Marisa Barlas, Art McDonald, Amina Hussain
Close up of Diane Woody and Gwyn Buck walking by the University Common
Sheila Forshaw, Marla Chodak, Donna Smith and Debbie Hansen walking by the reflecting pond on the Common
Members of the YURA walking group stop and pose in front of the Vari Hall Rotunda
Agnes Fraser and Marisa Barlas walk near the University Common with Steven Chuang and Art McDonald behind them. Other YURA walkers are further back in thie photo.
Members of the YURA walking team crossing the road near Founders College
Amina Hussain and Steve Dranitsaris walking near Founders College
Diane Woody and Gwyn Buck walking near Founders College, with Debbie Hansen and Donna Smith a few feet behind them.
Art McDonald, Lynn Taylor and Claudia Hungerson leading the group walking along the Campus Walk
Art McDonald and Debbie Hansen walking along the Campus Walk near the Chemistry Building, with rest of the YURA participants some distance behind
Lynn Taylor Claudia Hungerson and Agnes Fraser turning to corner from the Campus Walk onto the William McLean Walk adjacent to the Chemstry Building. In the background, Steven Chuang and Diane Woody have opened their umbrellas.
All participants on the YURA walk have taken shelter in the structure west of Calumet College, waiting for the downpour of rain to dissipate
Debbie Hansen and Donna Smith walk across the pedestrian bridge from Calumet College to the Campus Walk, both looking quite soaked from the rain. Diane Woody and Claudia Hungerson are in the background.
Steve Dranitsaris, Agnes Fraser and Art McDonald stand in the courtyard of the Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building.
Lynn Taylor, Claudia Hungerson, Gwyn Buck and Grace Chui are pictured in the courtyard of the Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building, flanking a wooden sculpture of a beaver. Sheila Forshaw stands in the background.
A group photo taken in the courtyard of the Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building. Back row Sheila Forshaw, Gwyn Buck, Steve Drantisaris, Art McDonald. Seated at front, Claudia Hungerson, Lynn Taylor, Steven Chuang, Agnes Fraser, Diane Woody and Grace Chui
Members of the group relax in the YURA office following the walk. Clockwise from left, Diane Woody, Sheila Forshaw, Agnes Fraser, Gwyn Buck, Debbie Hansen, Marla Chodak, Amina Hussain, Jane Grant and Grace Chui.

Photos by Grace Chui and Steve Dranitsaris