EMBRUN – Fundraising in the age of COVID-19 has taken on all kinds of different shapes.

Vicki Brisson and her sister Melissa of Embrun have come up with a way to raise money for their favourite cause, the 4-H Club, while avoiding the perils of the pandemic.

Both sisters have registered to run in the virtual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

The event is taking place as part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge which is a part of all sponsored Scotiabank marathons.

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge was created as a community-building component of all Scotiabank sponsored marathons. Scotiabank moved the Toronto Marathon to a virtual race format and continues to maintain the Scotiabank Charity Challenge as a key feature of the 2020 races.

“4-H Ontario partnered up with the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon,” said Vicki.

Vicki said her entire family is involved. You can take part in the marathon from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. It can be run anywhere.

“My mom, sister and dad did the 5k walk last week.”

“My cousin and I ran it on the Embrun bike path. There are 4-H members all across the province running it,” she said.

She ran 10 km. on Mon., Oct. 19.

The pledges raised from a participants run go to Ontario 4-H.

“I got back into running a year and a half ago. I was just running for fun on my own. I figured why not. You get to run and move and do something for 4-H at the same time. Growing up 4-H has had a great place in my life,” she said.

“For me it was a nice way to give back.”

“When I run I use it to clear my head and move my body,” she said.

She said the event was a nice way to bring families together.

She added that you can run, walk or roll what distance you want. There are several categories. All you have to do is register.

The categories are 5k, 10k, 21k and full marathon. The registration fee is $5.

Melissa Brisson said, “4-H Ontario saw the run as a way to fundraise this year. They asked for one member from each region to be a representative and help them bring people into the run,” said Melissa.

She was the one asked to lead the way in her region.

Melissa is not a runner on a regular basis but she jumped at the chance to help out. “I roped in my family and a couple of my friends.”

Melissa plans to do her run next weekend with a friend. She will be running the 5k.

“I did run a little in high school,” she said but now she says she will be starting from scratch. However working on a dairy farm means she will already be part way there in getting into shape for the run.

This is an amazing opportunity to fundraise, but also connect and reconnect across the province through fun challenges, and embrace the 4-H Healthy Living Pillar through activity.

4-H Ontario will receive 100 per cent of all funds raised by 4-H Ontario supporters.

Other 4-H representatives throughout the region are: Logan Emery (Region 1), Sadie-Jane Hickson (Region 3), Nicole French (Region 4) and Erica Murray (Region 5).

Melissa represents region 2. For more information contact Shannon Muir, coordinator, Philanthropy – records@4-HOntario.ca | C: 226-343-0461. https://raceroster.com/events/2020/27138/scotiabank-toronto-waterfront-marathon-virtual-race-2020/pledge/team/297.