Campus Charity Walk and Run raises money for Eastview Boys and Girls Club

Matt Hack, a University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) student (left) and Nicole Mastnak, a learning skills advisor with Durham College, pose together after placing first in the male and female categories respectively at the Campus Charity Walk and Run. Money raised by the walk/run will support the Eastview Boys and Girls Club in Oshawa, Ontario.

Despite some early dark clouds the sun was shining for the fourth annual Campus Charity Walk and Run for the Eastview Boys and Girls Club on April 15.

The five-kilometre event took donors on a wide circuit around Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) twice. The 80 runners and walkers included staff, faculty and students from Durham College, UOIT and G. L. Roberts Collegiate & Vocational Institute.

Participation cost a minimum of $20, though many donors chipped in more. “Typically we take in $1,5000 to $2,000,” said Carla Cesaroni, an assistant professor with UOIT’s Faculty of Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, who organized the event.

The money is going toward funding for the Eastview Boys and Girls Club, which offers after-school activities, camps and a youth justice program for youth ages 5 to 18 in Oshawa, Ontario.

“Every year we have people who don’t even run but just donate money because they think it’s a good cause, and we really appreciate that,” said Cesaroni. “We hope some day we can make it a community run and get everyone involved.”

First place for the men went to Matt Hack, a UOIT Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies student who crossed the finish line behind the college’s pavilion in just over 16 minutes.

“I found out about it through Carla since she’s one of my professors,” said Hack. “And when she mentioned the Eastview Boys and Girls Club were the beneficiaries I decided to make some time between my exams and come out. It’s a good cause.”

First place for the women went to Nicole Mastnak, a learning skills advisor for Durham College, who ran the course in 19 minutes.

“I like to be involved in as many charity events as possible and I’m pleased so many people contributed in this,” said Mastnak. “Personally I’m training for a marathon in September and that was my best time for five kilometres.”

For more information on the Eastview Boys and Girls Club, please visit its website.