SYDNEY, N.S. — Signature fundraising events for the L’Arche Cape Breton community were among the casualties of COVID-19 precautions that swept across the province during the last few months.
The lack of money has put some programs for the community of those with intellectual disabilities in jeopardy.
Annual funds raised during the Chowder Challenge and Springfest were often in the $50,000 range which helped to operate the day programs at L’Arche that give core members meaningful work and a sense of belonging and involvement in their community.
In the absence of those key fundraising endeavours, the community is looking to innovation to replace those much-needed funds, beginning with the annual Middle River Run/Walk, which will be held virtually this year on June 6-7.
“We are hoping more (people) will register this year than normal because they do have flexibility with a virtual run,” said Josie MacEachern, development co-ordinator for L’Arche Cape Breton.
“The time is flexible, the location is flexible and you know they might be looking for something to do. They can either go down to their usual place for the run on the Middle River Road or can pick a location closer to home where they usually run or walk. Whatever suits them.”
Register to walk or run through raceroster.com and enter your time there once you have finished for the chance to win prizes.
Core members and assistants at L’Arche will take part in the event on the dirt roads in the community that same weekend.
“We have to do it with our masks, on opposite sides of the road, and there are precautions that have to be taken and we’ll certainly be taking them,” MacEachern said. “But it is still causing some excitement in this community.”
The run is sponsored by the Herring Choker Deli and any money raised during the two-day event will help to keep day programs open, including two used clothing stores, a café and bakery, an organic garden, an art studio and a summer day camp for youth with intellectual disabilities.
An online auction in the middle of June is also planned, as is a Facebook fundraising campaign. Public donations are welcome, as well.
Day programs have been closed during the pandemic but the community members have used technology to remain active during the quarantine with online events like bingo, scavenger hunts and trivia games.
Letters from the staff at the East Coast Credit Union have also been lifting the spirits of core members.
“Getting mail is a highlight, especially when you are quarantined. They’ve taken the names of our folks, just the first ones and it’s been a beautiful thing. They are sending funny jokes and cards and it’s been so nice.”
This summer, the annual Ride the Wave program for children and youth with disabilities, will also become a virtual endeavour at L’Arche Cape Breton, said MacEachern. Two university students will be back for their third summer at L’Arche to run the program using Zoom and other online applications. Activity packages will also be dropped off at participating homes as part of the new initiative.
Visit www.larchecapebreton.org for more information on L’Arche Cape Breton.
