The annual Habitat for Humanity Colour Run has stood as a major fundraiser for local builds the last four years, raising over $10,000 on an annual basis and providing a popular event that helps raise awareness at the same time.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 prevented this year’s live run from taking place, with the decision to cancel coming back in August. That’s required a handful of changes, and like many organizations, a virtual event.
For Habitat for Humanity, the Virtual Run for Home Moose Jaw is taking place from Oct. 2 to 12 and will look to bring in some much-needed funds for the current projects and beyond.
“It was a very difficult decision to make, not only due to its popularity, but because we were able to raise almost $13,000 each year with it, and that’s a huge portion of the money we need to raise for our bills,” said Donna Watts, Habitat for Humanity Regina Chapter Lead. “We have to get creative with the brainstorming and ideas, and as everyone knows, this year has been even more interesting to try and come up with fundraising.”
The virtual colour run follows a familiar format -- supporters can register through Instagram, Facebook, the organization's website or through eventbrite, and then run or walk as far as they’d like as a fundraiser.
“It’s a run from home and all the proceeds go to Habitat in Moose Jaw,” Watts explained. “It’s a really great way for people to participate in it without having to be in crowds, they can have smaller groups of people who can go out. They can walk, they can run, they can split it up into portions. Even if they’ve always wanted to do a full marathon and weren’t sure they couldn’t do it in a day, they can break it down into portions and do it over several days.”
Registrants can sign on through a wide range of options that include a Cheering Squad ($25), Youth and Kids ($10) and Full Registration ($55), which includes a specially designed medal for this year’s event. There’s also a Couch Potato option ($75), where participants can simply relax at home and receive a ‘Certified Couch Potato’ certificate.
Supporters will receive a link to the private Virtual Run for Home Facebook page, which will offer motivation and different ideas on where to walk and run, among other event-related activities.
“Just anything we can do for a really great, fun type of event,” Watts said.
And if you want to bring a bit of actual colour into the run…
“If they e-mail us after they register, we can actually get some coloured powder to them,” Watts said with a laugh. “They can pick it up in Moose Jaw since we have some left over from last year’s Colour Run. We’ve already had a group of people who have used it for their runs, and they’ve had a lot of fun with it.”
All funds will stay in Moose Jaw and go towards the current duplex build taking place at 1015 Ominica St. East. Work is well underway on the project, with manager Fern Paulhus directing traffic and ensuring things go as smoothly as they have over the previous eight homes.
“We have the foundation down, Fern is busy out there building, and we’re always looking for volunteers,” Watts said, adding that there are some COVID restrictions in place -- more cleaning, groups limited to three on site and a handful of other protocols that will have to be followed to maintain safety. Boots, hardhats and PPE will also be available onsite.
Workers can sign up online through the volunteer link at HabitatMooseJaw.ca.
As one might expect, fundraising will help offset some of the cost of the current build.
“We rely on fundraising activities and events over the course of the build to supplement the cost, and with a duplex being built this time, it has doubled the cost, so events like this are very important,” Watts said. “Not just for raising money, but for creating awareness for Habitat for Humanity in Moose Jaw and just the amazing things we try and do out there and the difference we make in the community.”
