Elgin to host info session about event for cancer society
You've heard of 5K walks and bike rides to raise money for a good cause.
But in-line skating?
On May 10, Fox Valley area residents will have the choice of all three to raise money to fight cancer and have some good family fun.
The first-ever Walk & Roll Elgin will be held at Festival Park to benefit the American Cancer Society.
The event, one of only four in Illinois, gives participants a choice between walking, skating or riding.
Organizers say that option, along with the fact that everybody's life has been somehow touched by cancer, gives the event a broad appeal and an excellent chance to surpass the $55,000 fundraising goal.
"Everyone that I've talked to about this instantly is excited because it's something they can do," said Michelle Share Bergeron, an Elgin resident who heard about the concept from a cousin of her husband, Todd.
She met with American Cancer Society officials about two months ago and the idea took off.
"I was just really excited about it. I called my brother (Elgin resident Greg Share) and as it turns out he was looking for a volunteer opportunity," she said.
The event is a 5-mile walk, a 10-mile in-line skate, or 15-mile bike ride open to individuals or teams of local businesses, schools, churches, community groups and families.
Walkers begin at 9:30 a.m. and groups are staggered.
Share and Bergeron, co-chairs of the event, put together Team Providence to pay tribute to their parents, Fred and Bobbie Share, both cancer survivors, and their uncle, Rick Share, who died in 2003.
"This is very near and dear to our hearts," Greg Share said. "There's some big corporations getting involved as well and using this as team building for the employees. The community is growing so much bigger and stronger. Making this an annual event will help people all over the area."
Rockford also is holding its first Walk & Roll event this year.
In Chicago, where the event has been held the last 36 years and raised more than $1 million in 2007, the most popular path is walking.
"For us, it might be biking. We have a lot of cycling clubs here," said Keri Nelson, income development representative at the American Cancer Society office in Batavia.
Participants are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch to take in a performance by the Chicago-based band Underwater People at Festival Park around noon.
A launch event for Walk & Roll Elgin will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Grand Victoria Casino, 205 S. Grove Ave., Elgin.
An appetizer buffet will be served and it's a chance to learn more about how to organize a team or obtain pledge forms.
For details about Walk and Roll, call Nelson at the American Cancer Society at (630) 879-9009, or visit www.walkroll.org/elgin.
If you go
What: A casual information session about Elgin's first-ever Walk & Roll event on May 10 at Festival Park to raise money to fight cancer. Appetizers will be served and the event is open to the public.
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: Grand Victoria Casino, 205 S. Grove Ave., Elgin.
Info: Call (630) 879-9009 or visit www.walkroll.org.