A step in the right direction for community

With cotton candy, face painting and a barbeque, the second annual West Island Community Shares’ walk on Sept. 28 will satisfy both hearts and bellies.

Marking the launch of the community development and fundraising organization’s yearly fundraising campaign, the event demonstrates support for community groups like the Pierrefonds Community Project and the Community Resource Centre.

“We want it to be ‘the walk’ of the West Island,” said Rania Cotran, events co-ordinator for the organization. “We’re happy with how it’s going so far, but definitely want it to get bigger.”

Open to all West Islanders, participants will start at the Merck Frosst soccer field in Kirkland at 10:30 a.m. and walk a six-kilometre loop. The festivities and information booths set up by various community organizations will begin after the walk at noon.

“The biggest issue in the community is solidarity in terms of us all working together towards a better lifestyle,” said Ann Davidson, director of West Island Community Resource Centre. “We want to raise awareness that there is a large number of us who are very committed to sustaining a healthy community here and we need the public’s help.”

The walk itself is part of WICS’ annual fundraising campaign, and money raised throughout the year will be redistributed to community groups. The campaign is expected to generate $675,000 this year, an increase of over $40,000 from last year, Cotran said.

With about 150 to 200 people at the walk last year, Cotran expects a turnout of almost 400 walkers this year.

Though some groups like the Arthritis West Island Self Help Association won’t be able to participate in the walk itself, the number of walkers is still expected to double, Cotran.

“We’re hoping it’s a nicer day — last year it was cold. We’re hoping by pushing (the event) back two weeks we’ll get better weather,” she said.

The funds the walk will raise directly determine the extent to which community organizations will be able to offer resources to the community, Davidson said.

“We are totally reliant on the funds for a large portion of our services,” said Davidson. “So (the walk) has a huge impact on how we can better serve our community. It has an impact on those who aren’t receiving services and need to know that we’re out there, and everyone else we’re trying to reel in to help us help their community.”

A total of 29 community groups will be involved in the event this year. Walkers can contribute $20 in pledges to register. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the walk starts at 10:30 a.m. Walkers will be back by noon when festivities begin. Pledge forms are available at www.partage-share.com.