March 29, 2024

BY CHRISTEL ALLISON

CAColourRun5

Green- and yellow-coloured powders were the colourful part of a cold, rainy morning when Condors came out to run and walk for mental health.

On Oct. 24, Conestoga Students Inc. held a five-kilometre Mental Health Colour Run or Walk to raise money in support of Lutherwood.

Lutherwood is a non-profit health and social service organization in Waterloo that provides mental health, employment, housing and family support services to people in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.

Their mental health services include social skills training for youth with autism, family counselling, short-term crisis stabilization, safe haven (an alternative to living on the street), and school-based services. Lutherwood is located at 285 Benjamin Rd. in Waterloo.

The skies were grey and it was raining heavily when students came out with their families and friends to show support and try to have a colourful day while making memories they would cherish forever.

“She brought me here,” said Isabella Kalenik, an early childhood education student, as she stood next to the friend who invited her. “It’s fun, I love it.”

The morning started with a special presentation in the Sanctuary on transforming pain into progress by Nova Rutherford, a personal development coach and speaker. By the time her presentation was over, a few people were in tears and everyone was motivated to be involved regardless of the downpour.

Before running or walking, students had fun dousing each other with cups of coloured powder to get in the spirit of the day.

“It’s for a good cause. Why not?” said Beth Schneider, a health science student.

Colour runners and walkers happily made it to the finish line in all their colourful glory. Speed was not the goal of the day, making sure the coloured powder didn’t get in your eyes was.
A free lunch was provided after the run.

Approximately 30 people participated, raising $1,452 for Lutherwood.

Leave a Reply