Walking, strolling, jogging, sprinting, dashing and running – no matter what the pace, students, staff and faculty from Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) were ready to go.

April 11 marked the sixth annual Walk & Run for the Boys and Girls Club of Durham (formerly Eastview Boys and Girls Club) on campus with participants, including students from G.L. Roberts Collegiate and Vocational Institute (G.L. Roberts CVI) in Oshawa, paying a minimum $20 entrance fee to lace up their sneakers and walk or run a five-kilometre, two-loop trip around the campus.

Students from the college’s Firefighter – Pre-Service, Education and Training program also participated, completing an additional two loops of the campus.

Together the college and university raised approximately $2,000 with the funds going toward the Boys and Girls Club of Durham’s Youth Outreach Worker program. Geared at youth in need in Oshawa between the ages of 12 to 21, the program helps youth return to school, acquire jobs and participate in group activities.

While the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services funds the club itself, extracurricular activities for its members would not be possible without additional donations and fundraising.

“I chose the Boys and Girls Club of Durham and the program for high-risk kids in Oshawa because I am a criminologist who specializes in incarcerated youth,” said Carla Cesaroni, associate professor, UOIT Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, and founder of the run. “I thought it would be good to work with a charity that attempts to help kids avoid getting further involved in the criminal justice system.”

Cesaroni says a student suggested she start a charity run after learning she was an avid runner.

Extra funding allows the club to hold an annual holiday dinner, take youth on daytrips or to camps and provide clothing and bus tickets in addition to personal mentorship.

“We’re forever grateful to Carla and her hundreds of volunteers,” said Andrea Craning, director of the Boys and Girls Club of Durham Youth Justice department, which is responsible for its Youth Outreach Worker program.

Plenty of additional goods were available for participants in thanks for their support. The first 50 runners/walkers received T-shirts while all participants received goodie bags. Prizes were also awarded to the three fastest men and women from the college and university, the three fastest male and female teens from G.L. Roberts CVI, the fastest faculty member and the fastest participant overall. Door prizes were also made available to all participants and volunteers.

Cesaroni is hopeful the event will grow next year and be opened up to the public.

Visit www.eastviewbgc.com for more information about the Boys and Girls Club of Durham.