Cathy Dobson
Volunteers organizing Sarnia’s 10th annual Race to Erase want to register teams now in anticipation of their biggest event yet on Sept. 26.
“Our goal is to get 50 teams with four members each this year,” says co-founder Rich Bouchard. The 2014 Race to Erase attracted 43 teams, so Bouchard says finding seven more is attainable.
Teams are not required to pay a registration fee for the fundraising event, which is held in co-operation with the Chris Dawson Foundation. Instead, they are being asked to raise a minimum of $500 for one of 15 local charities. The sooner a team registers, the sooner they can start collecting pledges, says Bouchard.
He and former Sarnian Scott McKay started The Race to Erase as a fun, team-building event that involves the community, local businesses and non-profit groups.
The race is actually a series of 10 to 12 stops where mind-bending and fun challenges are presented to each team. The team that’s fastest to meet the requirements of each stop, wins the race.
“So there is no reason for teams to speed between locations,” said Bouchard.
Teams are often members of the charities and businesses involved but participants can come from anywhere as long as they are over 16, he said.
Savvy and smarts are needed more than athleticism, and everyone should be prepared to have a lot of fun, Bouchard added.
In its nine-year history, The Race to Erase has generated $270,000 for local charities. Race to Erase events have also been held in London and Cambridge.
To see the 15 charities eligible for funding this year and to register a team, visit www.sarnia2015.racetoerase.com, check out www.facebook.com/racetoerase or follow Twitter @racetoerase. Rich Bouchard can be contacted at 519-330-1138.