By Ed Stozek
For the Herald
There have been times when we purchase a raffle ticket or pledge someone for Jump Rope for Heart, Relay for Life or other fund-raising events.
A walkathon is a popular fund-raising event involving participants collecting pledges and sponsorships from donors in exchange for walking a set distance. Participants then collect money for every mile that they walk or get a flat donation to raise funds for a charity or an organization.
Walkathons are often community events that involve fun, action and appeal to a large audience.
Several weeks prior to a 25-mile “Walk to Swim” fund-raising event sponsored by the Lions and Kinsmen clubs for Dauphin’s new outdoor swimming pool, Lions club president, Bob Robinson, issued a challenge to all of the other service clubs. Dressed in a knight’s outfit and a multi-layered pair of work socks, Robinson challenged the presidents of other organizations including Rotary, B.P.O. Elks, Oddfellows, Knights of Columbus, Masons, Shriners, Dauphin Commercial Travellers, Kinsmen, Toastmasters and the Dauphin Volunteer Fire Department to participate.
“Because of my youth, my energy, and my unparalleled physical condition, I feel confident that I will not only finish the walk, but I will win the race.” (June 14, 1968, Dauphin Herald).
There was a friendly rivalry between the various clubs and their members. For example, Bill Zaporzan, president of the Dauphin Toastmasters club, announced that he would accept the challenge and believed that Robinson would lose ground by at least a quarter mile for every mile that the two walked. Zaporzan also counter challenged for the loser to pay $5 per mile towards the pool project.
As an added incentive for the June 23 fund-raiser, all participants were promised a crest as well as a ballot for a draw. Free season passes would be awarded to 25 lucky winners. The slogan, “Help youth, help yourself and help Dauphin, sponsor someone in the walk”, encouraged my wife Janice and her good friend Carol to canvas for some pledges, slip on their running shoes and along with many other participants, enjoyed a 25-mile walk on a warm sunny Manitoba day.
The walkathon commenced at 8 o’clock on Sunday morning from the front of the court house. The participants walked down River Avenue and turned left at the highway leading to Winnipegosis. The group then turned right at the Stoney Point Road and walked east for eight miles, turning south and walking in the proximity of Lake Dauphin before heading west and arriving on Main Street. The end of the route occurred at the CKDM radio station.
Almost 400 people took part in the “Walk to Swim’ walkathon. A group of pastors and others who could not walk on Sunday did their bit on Saturday. Toby Dick, a Dauphin student from Cormorant, completed the course in four hours and 25 minutes. He was closely followed by Calvin Chute. The first female to cross the finish line was Sandra McKillop.
With pledges amounting to $11 per mile, Dauphin’s mayor, Hugh Dunlop, agreed to walk 10 miles. A final walkathon total was unavailable, however, with widespread interest both locally and nationally, at least $6,000 was pledged. Monies were to be turned in to the Royal Bank.
The Lions Club publicly thanked all of the citizens, “who generously contributed financially, walking, publicity, supplies, food, etc. It is felt that each and every one gave their fullest in making the project a total involvement.” (July 5, 1968, Dauphin Herald).
Built by Panoramic Pools from Winnipeg, the 30x75-ft. aqua container was the largest of its kind in Manitoba and opened to the public on August 17. With scheduled public swim times at 10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the afternoon and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the evening, 25 cents garnered admission for children 12 and under, 50 cents for students and 75 cents for adults.
Recreational director Coots Riehl noted that standard pool regulations included, “No running around the pool, no food or drink in the pool area and everyone must shower before being allowed into the heated pool. For added safety, two lifeguards were to be on duty at all times.” (August 16, 1968, Dauphin Herald).
