Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.
H. Jackson Brown
Every spring, the WR3 race is held, and the PEI MFRC staff and volunteer team help with this event. I am responsible for over-seeing the Fun Run, which gives young children a chance to participate. Personally, this is always my favourite part of the WR3, but this year was particularly special. Let me tell you why…
Along with a co-worker and our amazing volunteers, we gathered the children in front of HMCS Queen Charlotte. We put red Support Our Troops t-shirts on them and told them where they would be running. Volunteers placed themselves around the perimeter of the running path and we did the big countdown…On your mark, Get set, Go!
Ten little ones from 2 to 8 years old took off running, following the volunteers who were pointing them in the right direction. Volunteers were cheering, parents and families were cheering, and our 10 little runners made it back to the finish line where they were presented with a medal and loot bag with some prizes.
Children were proud, parents were prouder. Families were thanking us for organizing the fun run…we thought the fun run was done. That’s when we realized there was one little girl who had missed the start of the race and still wanted to participate. In the blink of eye, the volunteers went back to their spots, we put a t-shirt on this little girl, and explained where she was supposed to run. I heard one of the dads whose child had already completed the run say, “Okay everyone, we had lots of people cheering our kids on. Let’s do the same again!” As this little girl set off on her run, all the kids and parents, staff, and volunteers cheered. The girl’s smile got bigger and bigger. Another child ran out into the circle saying “I’ll bring her home, Dad” and ran with her to the finish line. Our last runner crossed the finish line!
What made this so special to me? Families, for those few minutes at least, had no other care in the world and were completely present in the moment. Everyone was happy. And no one thought twice about staying to cheer for that little girl. In that moment, those parents’ actions showed their children kindness and consideration. And in that moment, the little girl and her mom felt kindness and consideration.
To all our fun runners and their families, thank you.
This post was written by Program Coordinator, Lynn Milligan.
Wow Lynn you have such a gift in connecting with youth. looks like you had a blast!!!