Two local non-profit organizations are joining forces next month to host the inaugural Trash Dash, a family-friendly trail walk/run.
Clean Up Barrie and Barrie Families Unite have teamed up for the June 8 event, which is scheduled to take place on the trail behind the Simcoe County District School Board administrative building in Midhurst, just outside of Barrie.
The event includes a one-kilometre family walk as well as a five-kilometre route, explained Jen Slykhuis, who heads up the group.
“It’s really pretty there. There’s a river and you go under the train trestle. It’s a great location,” she told BarrieToday, adding organizers have secured several local sponsors.
“We have lots of prizes and gifts that we will be giving away (to) participants. We are encouraging people, as part of their sign up to be entered for a prize, to clean up a bag of litter and share it on our Facebook page,” she said. “The whole idea of Clean Up Barrie is to clean up the litter.”
Being a first-time event, Slykhuis told BarrieToday that organizers would be thrilled to see 100 people come out and participate, adding the proceeds will be split between the two organizations.
“That would be really, really awesome for our first year. We are hoping to raise maybe $5,000 for our groups. That then gets split equally … and we use that to continue our work and mission," she said.
Clean Up Barrie will use the funds to purchase supplies for community clean-up events, said Slykhuis, while she anticipates Barrie Families Unite will use their money to purchase essential emergency items that they need to fill the gaps between what has been donated.
“We think it’s really unique because it’s the one fun run, walk fundraiser that isn’t along the lakeshore. It’s in the forest, in the trails and you’re getting outdoors and being active,” she said. “It’s very family-friendly and you get to explore an area that is close to Barrie that maybe you’ve never been to before … and it helps support Clean Up Barrie and Barrie Families Unite.”
To register, or for a schedule of the event, click here.
