Restrictions around large gatherings and social-distancing due to COVID-19 have wreaked havoc on plans for many spring and summer events that are normally held in Airdrie.  

Community Links is also feeling the effects and have postponed the 4th Annual Legacy Run to End Family Violence while had been scheduled for April.  

You noticed we said "postponed" and not "cancelled."  The committee got together to reschedule the event for Sunday, September 27th, hoping that gathering restrictions will be eased enough by that time to let the run proceed.  Community Engagement Manager with Community Links Laurie Jacob-Toews thinks the message that's delivered by the run is just too important to not be heard because of the pandemic.

"We all decided as a committee that it's really important that we try to host this run because it's more than just a fundraiser, it's also about raising awareness about family violence in our community.  So we all said,'let's try it for September,' and see if we can try to do it then and that's kind of our new goal is Sunday, September 27th is our new date that we're aiming towards."

This will be the fourth year this event has operated to raise proceeds for Airdrie and area front-line programs supporting those impacted by family violence, which hurts us all. The 5K run is dedicated each year to the memory of Andrea Conroy, who was taken from her family and community in an act of domestic violence on February 21st, 2012 at the age of 33.   There is also a 10K and a half-marathon.  

Every year, Community Links helps more than 200 unique individuals and families through services related to family violence. Community Links staff work daily to deliver better health, social, educational, and financial outcomes to the women, children and men who face family violence.

According to Jacob-Toews, the goal of the run is to let those experiencing the horror of family violence know that they don't have to suffer alone.  "I think our message with this run has always been the same and it's just that there are supports available.  We just want people to know that there is help available, there is people you can phone, there is 24 hour lines available through the government.  If you're feeling unsafe you have places to reach out to.  This run just helps us remember that we all need to be aware of others around us who might be in a family violence situation."

Registration for the run remains open and over 100 people have already signed up.  You can find registration HERE.  Community Links could also use some volunteers to help with the run and a sign-up link is HERE.

Updated information on the Legacy Run to End Family Violence can be found HERE.

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