It still is just more than one month before Christmas, but that didn’t stop large groups of people in Santa Claus suits from coming to town.
The Super Santa Run, Walk & Wheel returned to the downtown streets of Amherstburg Saturday evening. The event was a fundraiser for the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) and its fundraising arm, the Essex Region Conservation Foundation.
Danielle Breault-Stuebing, ERCA’s director of communications and outreach services, said the event went very well.
“It’s an overwhelmingly successful day,” said Breault-Stuebing.
The event was held in partnership with Walkers and Runners Around the County of Essex (WRACE) with Molly Allaire and her husband Dan helping with organizational efforts. Allaire, also an Amherstburg town councillor and ERCA board member, said it brought a lot of holiday spirit to town.
“It’s the kickoff to the holiday season in Amherstburg,” said Allaire.
Allaire added it was “bigger and better” this year, with 560 people estimated to have participated.
Breault-Stuebing pointed out that roughly $20,000 was raised for regional conservation projects in what was a record year.
The Essex Region Conservation Foundation will be undertaking a new strategic plan next year but the end result of the donation will end up back in the community, Breault-Stuebing noted.
“I’m happy as a board member because it’s going back into conservation, which I love,” said Allaire. “I am happy as a person because of all the people that came to town. We ran out of Santa suits.”
Breault-Stuebing said the participants along with their families and friends came to Amherstburg and she hoped it will lead to big things for the local business community.
“I think there is a real opportunity for the business community to capitalize on this,” she believed.
There were not only participants from around Windsor-Essex County that took part in the Super Santa Run, Walk & Wheel, but Breault-Stuebing said there were entrants from the Greater Toronto Area, Michigan, London, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Sarnia.
“People are travelling in from out-of-town for this event,” said Breault-Stuebing. “It’s great for the town. It’s great for the local business community.”
Having stores and restaurants open and engaging with guests can help everyone, she believed.
“It’s a really great opportunity to grow the event,” said Breault-Stuebing.
Both Allaire and Breault-Stuebing noted the race was for people of all ages and abilities, with Allaire stating there were those in wheelchairs able to take part. They said having the event be inclusive of everyone is a priority.
Allaire thanked all of the volunteers with Breault-Stuebing adding there were over 50 involved. She said without their support and that of the Amherstburg community, the event wouldn’t have gone as well as it did.
By Ron Giofu
Super Santa Run draws 560 people
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