The Comox Valley Road Runners held their annual Jingle Bell Charity Run for the local food bank on Sunday, Dec. 7 at Seal Bay Park.
An enthusiastic crowd of 186 runners and walkers from ages one to 79 enjoyed great seasonal temperatures. Dressed in all sorts of festive costumes and clanging their cow bells, participants ran, walked or pushed strollers along a 3km or 7km course, gathering cards given out by dealers along the route. While the best poker hands won prizes, there were also great draw prizes for other participants and the team of 35 volunteers. Plenty of hot drinks and food was available at the end.
The grand prize winner however was the Comox Valley Food Bank that drove off with a van load of donated food plus $1,301.80, all provided by event participants. This goes a long way to replenishing food bank supplies depleted last week when on a single day 370 bags of groceries were handed out to 244 households. The huge demand is expected to continue throughout the Christmas season.
Event organizers would like to give special recognition and thanks to our sponsors: Thrifty Foods, Ski Tak Hut, Mud Sharks, Alberni Outpost, Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Extreme Runners, Comox Recreation, Lewis Centre, Comox Valley Sports and Aquatic Centre, Jim Smiley Remax Ocean Pacific Realty, J Waters Electric, Medicine Shoppe, Boston Pizza, Mary Ann Rolfe, Aero Art Screen Printing, Comox Valley RV and Tim Hortons.
– Comox Valley Road Runners