Community runs for United Way

On Sunday, April 26, Oakville United Way will benefit from a 10K run that is the first to award a new car to a finisher.

Starting and finishing on the sprawling park-like campus of Appleby College, the Mercedes-Benz 10k offers everyone who crosses the finish line an equal chance to win a new 2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Oakville Autohaus. 

Mercedes-Benz Oakville Autohaus challenged the Oakville community to join them in celebrating their golden anniversary and creating a legacy community event—the Mercedes-Benz 10k. 

The community has overwhelmingly responded with over 900 participants already registered for the inaugural race with just over a week to go before the April 26th race day, making this event one of the largest first year 10k races ever in Canada.

Now, organizers have added an additional fundraising cylinder to the Mercedes-Benz 10k with the launch of the inaugural Mercedes-Benz High-school Challenge. The program was announced at a press conference by general manager of Mercedes-Benz Oakville, Mark LeRoeye.

 For the top fundraising school, LeRoeye has offered to bolster the funds raised by providing an additional $1000 donation from Mercedes-Benz Oakville Autohaus. Also announced was that the top individual fundraiser in the region will also receive an all access music pass from program partner, Sympatico/MSN.

“Partnerships such as this one ensure that Oakville United Way will be able to help people in need: the engagement of the students will assist in addressing our mounting fundraising challenges,” explains Campaign Cabinet Chair, Ann Mulvale. 

“With several ways to fundraise and donate, the goal is to provide Oakville residents with opportunities to make a collective impact and a difference to the health of our community”, said Mulvale.

 Challenges have been sent to Abbey Park High School, Appleby College, Iroquois Ridge HighSchool, Oakville Trafalgar High School, T. A. Blakelock High School, White Oaks High-school, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School, Holy Trinity High School, St. Ignatius Loyola High School, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, King’s College and MacLachlan College. 

 “It’s important that we do our part to give back, and we’re pleased to provide some additional support for the great work that United Way in addition to our existing charitable activities,” says LeRoeye. 

“While the race is only a few weeks away, we believed it was important to launch this program in ’09 with the aim of it gaining further traction in 2010.”

Less ambitious participants can register for a 1k Walk and there is a 10K Power Walk as well.

For additional details, including how to join the many participants, visit www.mercedes10k.com.

United Way of Oakville provides funding to over 30 local human and social service agencies with an emphasis on prevention and crisis intervention. This balance allows United Way to help maintain the ongoing health of Oakville, and to provide support to those in the greatest need. 

 For more information about United Way Oakville, visit www.uwoakville.org.