ALS Double Play's first ever 5km walk, the Intentional Walk could not have been more perfect. On Saturday June 11, over 250 of our friends, family, supporters and new friends, converged at the Markham Civic Centre grounds. The previous night and and early morning gave us a scare with wild thunder storms, with all the hard work our co-chairs had put in, the last thing we wanted was for our first walk to be a wash! Mother Nature came through for us and we had a spectacular day!
The Walk Committee, lead volunteers and ALSDP directors arrived at 6am, many of us wide awake from the thunderstorms having woken us at 4:30am. The rest of our 40 plus volunteers arrived at 7am, ready to work. We were ready to go by 8:30am. Yoga instructors arrived shortly after and so did our first participants. Pre-walk yoga to help set your intention was a hit.
As a steady stream of walkers began to arrive and register, so did some of our friends. Special thanks to the Markham Fire Department who brought out a truck, some goodies for the kids, and sounded their horn to mark the start of the walk. Mayor Scarpitti stopped by to bring greetings from Council and our inspiration, Christopher Chiu arrived just in time for the opening ceremonies.
Our Emcee, Allan Bell did a fabulous job at introducing us and keeping us on track. Dr. Janice Robertson of the University of Toronto told us how important research is to ALS today. Ms. Roslyn Stollery brought greetings from Angus Glen Golf Club, our presenting sponsor, and told us about her aunt, who passed of ALS. By the time walk co-chairs Crystle and Barb and ALSDP President Cherrie made their remarks, there was not a dry eye in sight. We were very much reminded of why we were all there that morning...to make ALS history.
The music pumped and Jocelyn of Soul2Sole warmed up the crowd and before we knew it, the walk
was on. We walked alone, in two's, three's, in groups of families and friends. All of us wearing our Intentional Walk tees that we inscribed with "our intention." Volunteers lined the route and cheered us on. At every moment there was energy and love.
Returning back to the Civic Centre we indulged in fruit, granola bars, croissants and bagels. Water and coffee flowed a plenty too. The music continued to play and we lingered longer, enjoying the company, the weather, and satisfied in the thought that we accomplished something great that morning.
