National fundraiser coming to Steinbach for the first time

A nation-wide walk, run, cycle fundraiser is coming to the Southeast and organizers are hoping people will join in the fun.

The Joy Smith Foundation’s Joy in Action has been cheering on walkers and runners across Canada for five years, but for the first time it’s moving from its usual Manitoba location at Bird’s Hill Park to Brandon, Selkirk, with the kick-off happening in Steinbach on July 25.

“We really want to bring that spirit of joyfulness in being able to make a difference, because even one person, an ordinary person, can really make an extraordinary difference in the fight against human trafficking,” said event director Natasha Smith, who is also one of founder Joy Smith’s daughters.

The foundation’s mandate is to help trafficked individuals find support and educate the public by raising awareness about human trafficking.

There will be two streams in the eight kilometre run-walk: the newly introduced timed event for those looking for a challenge and the family friendly version where people can set their own pace, even stopping at the fourth kilometre if they so choose.

For those who can’t physically be at the event, the foundation is encouraging virtual participation.

The cost to register is $50 per person for the timed event with the family run-walk being $40 per person. Youth from 13 to 18 years old receive a $10 discount and children 12 and under register for free. People can register either individually or as a team. Those that register three days before the event will pay a late fee.

New to the event is the option for runners and walkers to fundraise for the organization where they can win prizes such as a hat ($150 raised) or a hoodie ($300 raised).

Also new this year is a grand prize for fundraising, which will be an all expense paid trip for two to Churchill where winners will be taken on a Frontiers North Adventures tundra buggy tour to see polar bears. Calm Air will provide the airfare.

Pizza after the event will be provided by Domino’s Pizza.

The money raised at Joy in Action will be used to fund the run-walk with the rest of the proceeds going to fund the organization.

The Joy Smith Foundation is in the process of building its $36 million education campus in Niverville as it has all its funding and donated land. Despite this, a provincial technicality on the designation of that land is currently awaiting rezoning by the government before shovels can hit the ground.

While the purpose of the event is to raise money, it’s other aim is to raise the spirits of runners and walkers. One of the ways the foundation is doing that is by having Joy Stations along the course where participants will be encouraged with fun signs, activities, cheers, and even with a bubble machine.

“We really are making it fun, so it’s a very family-friendly event…we’re just really trying to bring the joy,” said Smith.

Joy in Action is will come to Steinbach on July 25 at the Steinbach Soccer Park with kick-off for the timed event starting at 9:15 a.m. followed shortly after with the family-friendly walk-run. Race packages will be available for pick-up at Sobey’s on Wednesday the week of the event.

Visit joyinaction.ca and click on official events to get more information and to register.