Villanova in top 10 Terry Fox Run fundraisers

October 8, 2014 · 0 Comments

Students take off at the start line at Villanova College’s annual Terry Fox Run last Friday. Now in its 10th year, the run has raised over $260,000.

By Jake Courtepatte
More than simply a run, Villanova strives to make the event an affair that students will remember all semester.
A drum-line and band greeted students arriving in the Great Hall, followed by a pep rally.
Presentations were then given, highlighted by readings from grade five students about the significance of Terry Fox’s sacrifices.
Staff and students then made their way to the athletic field, getting the blood flowing with a warm-up before taking off on a five-kilometre route around the 33-acre campus.
“There’s a lot of energy here this morning,” said Co-Chair of the Athletics Department Elizabeth Will. “It’s a beautiful day, everyone’s excited.”
Now in its 10th year, Villanova’s Terry Fox Run has raised an incredible $268,000 in support of the Terry Fox Foundation.
Although a final tally has not yet been released for the 2014 campaign, Will was confident that the college would reach its goal of $30,000.
“We’re already at the $21,000 mark,” she said at the time of the run. “This day is always a huge deal for us, for the staff, students, and parents.”
And the numbers show. Villanova has ranked in the top 10 of all schools in Ontario in terms of funds raised every year since the run started.
“The whole school gets involved. We get almost 100-percent attendance.”
Villanova’s other athletic department co-chair is Stuart Stanbury, who himself partakes in the run every year with the students. However, he made some opening remarks before the race that echoes Will’s confidence in the philanthropy of their students.
“Here at V.C., we have kept the run going for the past 10 years. And every year, I’m always impressed with the level of participation and excitement that everyone gives to the day.”
“I’m proud. I’m proud of our student body, and I’m grateful to the administration for letting us honour one of the toughest Canadians I can think of, Terry Fox.”
The Terry Fox Run is just one aspect of a school known for its charity and social outreach programs. Villanova works closely with charities like Habitat For Humanity, the Scott Mission, and the Good Shepherd Sisters. An internal charitable organization, Villanova Outreach in Communities Everywhere (VOICE), organizes fundraisers within the school community.
Donations are still coming into the college, and can be made online through links on Villanova College’s Facebook page.