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PSA

FOURTH YEAR FOR MEMORIAL RUN/WALK TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Waterloo - Four years ago, Suzanna Walter tragically lost her 15 year old son Alex Schmidt. In memory of her son, she set up a memorial fund at The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation .

“Helping others, particularly the youth in our community is my way of coping with this devastating loss. Working with The KWCF and learning about programs such as Pathways to Education – which benefit the youth in our community – gave me both the information and the means to set up a memorial fund. And, I have learned even more about this successful program by volunteering as a tutor.” says Suzanna.

For the fourth year in a row, funds from The Alex Schmidt Memorial Fund will support Pathways to Education – an innovative program that reaches out to students from at-risk and/or economically disadvantaged communities. Pathways encourages students to achieve their full potential by getting to school, staying in school, graduating, and moving on to post-secondary programs. Although only in its fifth year in Kitchener, Pathways has already seen tremendous success in Toronto’s Regent Park area.

Annually, friends and colleagues have come together to organize an fun 5 km Run/Walk to celebrate Alex’s life, raise money for The Alex Schmidt Memorial Fund and to increase community support for Pathways to Education. “This event is a great way to learn about this unique program that is building a ‘graduation nation’ and the volunteer opportunities involved,” says Jean Davies, Program Director, Pathways to Education.

The event takes place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at RIM Park and is possible due to the generous support of BMO Harris.

When: Saturday, October 1st, 2011

Time: 9:00-9:45 a.m. Registration

10:00 a.m. Run/Walk

Where: RIM Park, 2001 University Ave. E., Waterloo (meet in the parking lot)

The event promises to be fun with lots of food and prizes. Close to 200 people will be in attendance and the group is still looking for others to take part in the Run/Walk. “If you cannot attend this event, you can still make a contribution online through The KWCF website,” shares Suzanna.

For more information, contact Suzanna at swalter@live.ca or go to the website established by Alex’s brother Jordan, www.alexschmidtmemorialfund.com. Pledge forms are also available on The KWCF website at www.kwcf.ca.

Adds Suzanna, “Alex’s legacy will live on in the young lives touched by this fund.”