Annual Biermans' Community Classic fundraiser is 20 years and running 

The Harry Biermans’ Community Classic take place on the 1st Sunday in May. It is a 5.2 km course open to walkers, runners and in line skaters, in a variety of age categories.   It has been running for the past 20 years but has decided to take the 2010 year as a break. It will be starting up again in May 2011.

At 2 pm on May 3, the sound of the starting gun will mark the start of the 20th Annual Harry Biermans' Community Classic fundraiser for the Chesley Hospital. The event will be held at the Chesley Community Centre. The 5.2 kilometre course is open to walkers, runners and roller bladders, in a variety of age categories. The course starts at the Chesley Community Centre, winds through the town and finishes back at the Community Centre.

To show our appreciation of 20 years of community support for the Chesley Hospital, the Harry Biermans' Community Classic has planned a festive day. Dave Middleton, a local media celebrity, will once again be the Master of Ceremonies. There will be cake to celebrate the 20 years. The "Play in Grey Bruce" group is pitching in to provide healthy play activity for the children participating before and after the walk/ run. Face painting will be available as well as a clown for the kids. A horse drawn wagon will convey some long time supporters along the route. Snacks will be provided by the Ladies Auxiliary, An awards ceremony will follow.
Chesley, like so many of our rural communities, is resilient, with many hard working citizens that pull together to make this a vibrant place to live. Venturing through the streets, parks and trails of our town will reveal many testimonies of people's commitment to the community. Whether it is the Trail Committee, the Horticultural Society, The Kinsmen and Kinettes, the Optimists, Rotary, Minor Hockey or countless others, you see evidence of the effort, commitment and foresight of people to build a caring community the meets the needs of its citizens.

A very significant part of our community is our youth and the young people of our community are no slouches when it comes to contributions to our community! Over the years "Cougars Care," a fundraiser of the student body of Chesley District High School has supported many worthwhile causes. Cops for Cancer, World Vision, Teen Challenge, Crohn's and Colitis, the Chesley Hospital and others have all been recipients of the generosity of our youth. This years the Cougars Care has lent its support to the Harry Biermans' Community Classic, and the committee is honoured and thrilled! It is reassuring to see youth committed to helping those around them, to contributing and making a difference, and having the foresight to invest in their community and in our shared future.
Funds raised this year will go towards the purchase state of the art hospital beds that will provide enhanced patient safety and sophisticated patient monitoring.
As with the previously purchased equipment, this beneficial addition to the hospital would not be possible without the public's generosity and dedicated support of the hospital.

Over the last 20 years approximately 3,000 people have walked over 15,000 kilometres and raised over $260,000 to help ensure a viable hospital for our community. The efforts of those who gather pledges, those who walk, run and roller blade, the generosity of those who sponsor participants and the hard work of the event volunteers is greatly appreciated!
So come and celebrate with Chesley -whether you are a veteran of 20 years or a first time participant, join the run.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

* The 5.2 kilometre course is open to walkers, runners, and inline skaters in a variety of categories

Regular Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
SBGHC - Chesley (Board Room)
7:30 PM