Some crew members of HMCS Halifax are making a real difference in the lives of Maritime children.
For the tenth straight year, 12 sailors ran for eight days from Yarmouth to North Sydney, N.S. The group completes the run each year as part of a fundraising effort to grant wishes to children living with illnesses.
“It’s a good way to give back to the community; that’s our goal here,” says Petty Officer Robert Patenaude.
The group raised more than $30,000 this year, which is enough to grant three wishes.
“They give up the most precious commodity, which is time, and they go out to help other wish families,” says Cheryl Matthews of the Children’s Wish Foundation.
“The wish creates laughter and magic and it’s all fun for the kids. They get to leave the needles and the pokes behind for just a few days.”
The entire crew of HMCS Halifax contributed to the fundraising efforts through bake sales, BBQs, donations and moral support.
“Believe it or not, when it comes time for the Children’s Wish, people will put in a request to join the team and a lot of times, there are more applicants to be a runner than there are positions,” says Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Steeves.
It is that contagious generosity that has made the dreams of three children come true and has earned this team the recognition of their community.
Congratulations to the crew of HMCS Halifax and Run For The Wish, our Maritimers of the Week!
If you know someone deserving of our Maritimer of the Week award, we want to hear about it.
It doesn't matter how old they are, the nature of the "good deed" they've done, or what part of the region they live in – we want your ideas!
Please send your nomination to:
maritimer@ctv.ca
or
Maritimer of the Week
P.O. Box 1653
Halifax, N.S.
