Residents gathered at Greig Lake on Saturday to participate in the 13th annual Setting the PACE Race. (submitted photo/anonymous)

By Elliott Knopp

PACE Race

Thirteenth annual PACE Race sets organization for upcoming year

Sep 13, 2021 | 6:12 PM

Meadow Lake residents were on the mark this weekend, getting ready and set to go help out a crucial local organization.

The thirteenth annual Setting the PACE Race took place at Greig Lake in Meadow Lake Provincial Park over the weekend. More than 100 people gathered to show their support for the special needs program People Advocating for Children with Exceptionalities, or PACE.

Many of those in attendance signed up to compete in a friendly bike race ranging from 3 km to 100 km. The entrance fee for the run was set at $50 per competitor, but the organization allowed the fee to be waived if the entrant went around the community and collected pledges instead, which would promote the organization and open the possibility of receiving more money.

Bluesette Campbell, PACE Board Director, said the event serves to not only raise funding to cover the organizations programming for the year, but to raise awareness in the community as to how the service advocates for children with exceptionalities.

“We’re trying to break down the stigma of what it means to interact with a child that has a disability, make it easier to be around people and learn how to interact and engage with individuals that don’t walk the same, don’t talk the same or don’t talk at all,” she said.

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Along with public education, the organization offers peer mentoring programs with schools, hosts inclusive events with other local organizations and implements programs that offer special needs children with opportunities to engage in sports and inclusive education.

These important program and events are made possible by the PACE Race, which raises the annual costs associated to host them while keeping the organization running.

Campbell said this year’s event is expected to collect over $13,000, which would give the organization the funding necessary to continue its service to the community. She added having community sponsors like Studio Three and Innovation Credit Union joining the cause provided a significant helping hand in achieving this year’s total.

“It makes it easier for us volunteers, but it also demonstrates there’s an awareness about it and it’s something people want to support,” she said.

“Businesses and organizations want to be a part of what we’re doing, and that’s really cool.”

The event surpasses last year’s running which was held virtually to prevent the spread of COVID-19. She added the virtual run was not as well received as its in-person counterparts, but still served its purpose in supporting the local organization.

Campbell expressed her pleasure with having the ability to bring the event back to Greig Lake and said the community’s unwavering support has been invaluable to changing lives for children with exceptionalities.

“We can’t believe the outpouring of community support. It really is amazing,” she said.

“This community is exceptional in showing support for organizations like ours, so we’re really appreciative, and thank you.”

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp