More than $75,000 has been raised through the Red Deer Dream Centre’s first-ever Road to Recovery Walk/Run.
About 200 people attended the inaugural event, which featured 1K and 7K treks around a track set up in the field next to CrossRoads Church in Red Deer County on Saturday.
“This is a great way to raise awareness and get exposure for the dream centre, which was our main goal,” said Rachel Hicks, lead co-ordinator of the walk/run.
“We chose September because it’s generally good weather and we get a chance to enjoy something before everyone’s sports get going.”
The event was attended by members of the community, including graduates from the addictions treatment facility located in Red Deer’s downtown.
“I think it’s exciting for the clients who are at the centre. They get to see how much support the City of Red Deer has for them,” she said.
“Addiction can be a very polarizing topic, but it’s something that needs to be talked about more and there needs to be more awareness. It’s fantastic that 200 or so people showed up to support them.”
The money raised will go towards the centre’s general operating fund, explained Rob Warrender, Red Deer Dream Centre board member and father of Rachel Hicks.
“Men are housed at the facility during the program for a minimum of three months, most of them nine months. We house them, we feed them and then there’s programming,” Warrender explained.
“It’s a little bit like running a hospital – it’s intensive. Our operating needs are high and this goes towards supporting our day-to-day operations.”
The Red Deer Dream Centre opened in November 2022.
“It’s been a slow startup because we wanted to make sure we got things right,” Warrender said.
“Currently we have 12 men in the centre. This fall we had our first graduates, which was nice.”
In addition to the walk and run, the event featured a pancake breakfast and raffle draw. The plan is to bring back the Road to Recovery Walk/Run next year as well.
Donations are still being accepted for this year’s event. For more information, including details on where to donate, visit www.rddc.ca/road-to-recovery-walk-2023.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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