CKBG's “Marty Take Us to the Highlights” team and sponsors presented a $3,940 cheque to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation last Thursday afternoon.
A local radio station did its part in the fight against cancer, and they did so in memory of the station’s founder.
CKBG 107.9 FM “The Burg” entered a team into the Detroit Free Press Marathon in October and, with the help of donors and sponsors, raised $3,940. Proceeds were donated to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, with the cheque presentation occurring last Thursday afternoon at the CKBG studio on Sandwich St. S.
The five-person team was named “Marty, Take Us to the Highlights,” a tribute to founder and long-time broadcaster Marty Adler. Adler passed away earlier this year and the name came from promotional videos he used to do where citizens were filmed stating that catchphrase prior to a sportscast.
The members of the “Marty, Take Us to the Highlights” team were station members Greg Adler (Marty’s son), Deanna Piazza, Terence Morris, and Spencer Duby along with “cancer warrior” Mark Pastorius.
Piazza stated the radio station ran an ad promotion where 50 per cent of what came in was turned over to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. Sponsors also helped out and those included Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU), Fort Malden Animal Hospital, Seasons Mechanical and Evelyn’s Candy House.
“It was a way to honour Marty,” explained Piazza.
Adler said the event almost became like a party atmosphere, with team members coming together like a family.
“It was a lot more fun than I expected,” said Adler. “We all had so much fun.”
Duby added they made friends on both sides of the border, including with several people in the United States. Participating as a relay team, they met other teams doing likewise and built relationships with those teams.
“It was the most fun I’ve ever had running,” said Duby.
Piazza said “everything fell into place” while planning the event while team members adding they made memories that will last a lifetime to them.
“I really liked the team aspect,” said Morris. “I was kind of a bonding experience.”
Adler noted his father passed away Aug. 24 and the funeral was a few days later, so that made it difficult to add a fundraising component to the “Marty Marathon” held over the Labour Day weekend. That tribute was fantastic, CKBG staff reports, with people coming in and others recording memories that were played on the air.
“We want to make it an annual thing,” said Piazza, noting it took place the same hours that Marty himself was on the air for the previous year over the Labour Day weekend.
The participation in the Detroit Free Press Marathon was part of the “CKBG Cares” initiative, as the Amherstburg-based radio station looks to give back to the community on a regular basis.
“It felt really good to run for a cause,” said Adler. “I was definitely running for my dad. It was really meaningful.”
Pastorius added he wanted to run and help fundraise for the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, as that organization has helped him over the years.
“I’m just giving back to a clinic that helped me the last four years and hopefully the next 50 years,” he said.
Adler added they are always looking for ways to give back and, while plans aren’t finalized next year, they will continue to honour his father and donate to cancer fighting causes.
“Everyone is affected by cancer,” he said.
Local radio station raises over $3900 through its marathon run
By Ron Giofu
Comentarios