Well after much preparation and organizing we had our 1st Annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run in BirdsHillPark. It was held on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13th, 2007. At 8:00 a.m. about 200 people registered and took part in the walk and horseback ride at the Ranch.
Ace Burpee, from Hot 103 kicked off the event by having everyone warm up by marching and doing the well known arm movements that spell out the letters to the Village People’s, Y-M-C-A. He warmed everyone up, including their spirits. He had everyone up and laughing the entire time.
At 9:00 am everyone started the 1 to 5 km. walk, with most doing the entire 5 km. At the end of the walk we had a barbeque. The awesome Kinsmen crew brought along their barbeque and took care of the barbequing for us. As usual, you can always count on them!
After Ace Burpee left, so that he could go to church with his mother for Mother’s Day, (Way to go, Ace!) Louie Gmiterik and his beautiful wife, from Twilight Productions took over and emceed and played some of Andrew’s favorite songs, such as, ”My Immortal” by Evenescence” and “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers.. Those who knew Andrew well knew that most nights he would choose to sing, “The Gambler” at the Oakbank Motor Hotel on Karaoke nights.
We had a 50/50 draw and a raffle that included a 12’ x 12’ screened-in gazebo, valued at $295.00, which was won by Linda Bailey, and a fireplace with a cooking grill, valued at $140.00, which was won by Ace Burpee, who generously gave it to Laurie Hoover and her granddaughter, Robyn. I don’t know who was more excited, Laurie or Robyn. All I know is that they went home and set it up right away.
Prizes were given to the top 7 participants who collected the most sponsors. They were allowed to select whatever prize they wanted.
- 1st prize Sharon Bissonette - fire place
- 2nd prize Lori Mabb - gravity chair
- 3rd prize Sharon Laferriere - $25.00 Superstore gift certificate
- 4th prize Pat Burdett - gift basket
- 5th prize Roxanne Dickenson - gift basket
- 6th prize Lyle Scrymgeour - gift basket
- 7th prize DaCosta family - $25.00 Superstore gift certificate
It was great seeing so many families come out. One that really touched our hearts was Kaitlyn’s family. They all came wearing t-shirts with Kaitlyn’s beautiful picture on the front and above it, it read, “For the love of Kaitlyn”, and below, it read, “Get help when you need it”. The t-shirt was so beautiful and yet so sad that someone so young had to loose their life to depression. Next year we are hoping to get t-shirts with Andrew’s picture on with the same message and hopefully others will do the same in memory of their family members. As well, It was so nice seeing so many young people attend the walk.
We had some awesome volunteers making sure that everything ran smoothly. They were, in no specific order, Robert Dunn, the awesome Kinsmen crew, Ace Burpee, Louie Gmiterek,, Linda Gyslinck, Lindsay Balinski, Justin Balinski, Jordan Balinski, Amanda Hobin, Eric and Lynda Howdle, Stella Woytowich, Dorothy and Tony Loszchuk, Sharon Laferriere, Lisa Laferriere, Tony Balinski, Donna Chapko, Anne-Marie Roy, Marcia Kroeker, Bev Lewis, Dawn Sawatsky, the DaCosta family, Joanne & Cam Glass, Erika Thomsen, Deb Cancade, Mrs. Morrish, and Kaitlyn (student).
We are already preparing for the 2nd Annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run to be held next Mother’s Day in the morning. We should be done again by ll:00 a.m, .so that those wishing to go home and celebrate and honour their mothers with their families still have lots of time to do so.
Right now we are on our way to becoming the Andrew Dunn Foundation and are looking for anyone interested in being on our Board of Directors, as well as, being on the Advisory Board. If you are interested, please contact us.
Also, if you are interested in volunteering to be on a committee, such as, silent auction, prizes, advertising, signage, etc, for next year, please contact us.
A huge thank you to all our participants, as we collected approximately $15,000 from the 50/50 draw, food, raffles and sponsors for the walk. We are still collecting money and still accepting donations. Thank you for your support and keep visiting our site for updates, as we will keep you informed as to where the money was used to do the most good. Also, any suggestions for next year would be greatly appreciated.
Judy and Robert Dunn
Brenda and Lindsay Balinski
Thank you to the following companies who supported us at our event
- Cropo Funeral Chapel
- Beausejour Co-op
- Safeway at Regent
- matt@vantagestudios.ca
- Schreimers
- Twilight Productions
- Oakbank Family Fare
- Kinsmen
- NEHA EMS
- Oakbank Insurance
- Sobeys @ Regent
and a Special Thank You to our emcee, Ace Burpee from Hot 103 for kicking off this event and Matt Vickers for updating and creating our website.
Thank you to our advertisers, CTV, CJOB and Hot 103, The Clipper and The Review
Another Special Thank you goes out to Ryan Crocker for covering our story with excellence and kudos to him on receiving 3 – 1st place and 2 – 2nd place awards on Saturday night (no surprise to us)
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers, supporters and family, as we could not have done this without you
And most of all we would like to Thank Andrew for being there through out this entire process and for helping all of those that are suffering with depression.
We love and miss you!
Mom and Robert, and Brenda, Tony & family
