The most any fundraising event organizer can ask of those involved is that they pull their weight to ensure success.
Once again, Susan Dunkley is taking that up a notch to the tune of 84,000 pounds.
As fund development and events co-ordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton, Susan is the lead organizer of the second annual Fire Truck Pull For Dementia event.
Set for Friday, September 16th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot, the event will see teams comprised of 10 men — 12 for women or mixed teams — pull a Peterborough fire truck a pre-set distance as fast as they can.
On Friday (June 17) at a media event promoting the fire truck pull, Susan noted the goal this year is to raise $30,000 in support of the society’s mandate to assist those living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease.
Last year’s event saw 15 teams, each of which paid a $1,000 registration fee, raise $15,000. Already this year, 21 teams have registered with Kawartha Capital Construction (again the event’s title sponsor).
“We decided we needed to do something a little different,” Susan says. “We’ve been known for our Coffee Break campaign and our walks, but we had never done anything that’s quite so out there and encourages younger people to get involved.”
“More and more people are suffering dementia at younger and younger ages. I wanted to raise awareness of that and also raise money and I wanted to do it in a fun way. I’m very fortunate to have a friendship with several firefighters. We said, ‘Let’s do a fire truck pull’ and my boss said, ‘Hey, let’s do it.'”
Serving as honourary event chair once again is a man who knows a thing or two about what it takes to make a 42-ton fire truck move without the benefit of engine power. Billed as the world’s strongest man, Cobourg-based Lutheran minister Kevin Fast holds more than 25 world records for feats of strength. He’s offering to train any teams in need of pointers.
“A lot of people have claimed especially my competitors, that I cheat — that I have divine intervention — but I work hard at it and I was gifted with some ability,” says Kevin, noting he is experiencing the effects of Alzheimer’s firsthand through the plight of his father.
“My dad’s memory was getting bad. He was living with my mom. Then she had a stroke and we had to scramble fast, so we moved him to Cobourg and got him in a retirement place. Now he’s in nursing home being well looked after. He doesn’t have his memory but he’s great physically and he’s the happiest guy on the planet, so what more can you ask for?”
“It’s an amazing goal,” Kevin adds, referring to the $30,000 target for this year’s pull. “It’s an epic goal, just the like the event will be epic.”
“Mary McGee [President/CEO of Highland Park Funeral Centre] is a personal friend and suffered a loss and trauma with her husband who had Alzheimer’s,” Sharon says. “So when she contacted us and asked if we’d be interested in being involved in a fundraiser, we instantly said yes.”
Kawartha Capital Construction is also looking at entering a team this year.
“We’ve got 40 trucks on the lot, so we can practice,” says Craig.
Last year’s inaugural event saw a team from the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough raise the most money, with Elaine Martin the top individual fundraiser. The top team for speed was the entry from 24/7 Gym on Charlotte Street.
For the September fire truck pull, there are three categories: business, competitive, and family — with a sub-category of financial business sponsored by Graeme Ross of RBC Dominion Securities.
Susan notes a prize will be awarded to the top individual fundraiser: tickets to the 2017 Boots and Hearts Festival and a box for the January 2017 Faceoff Against Dementia game between the Peterborough Petes and the Oshawa Generals.
The team entry fee is $1,000. Those looking to enter a team or provide sponsorship support can reach Susan at suzi@alzheimerjourney.ca or phone 705-874-2635.
Other event sponsors include Kawartha Entertainment Group Inc. (KEGI), The Protectors Group, AON, Leon’s, Chemong Family Dental, Fox Law, Kawartha Home Fitness, Minute Maid, and the Memorial Centre.
“It is getting a lot of support,” Susan says. “The police department and the fire department are supporting us, and our sponsors are amazing. And there’s just the support from the community, for saying this is a cool event.”
As for Kevin’s involvement, Susan is grateful.
“I have God on my side … I’m very blessed,” she says.
