Why I Run

Between September 14th and September 19th, I am going to run 5k as part of the Making Strides for Sanctuary fundraising run/walk/roll.

Here’s why:

I am running because: I am so proud of the 700+ beautiful, hot meals our kitchen team has prepared each week throughout the pandemic.

I am running because: I have received immeasurable grace from friends at Sanctuary who have way more important things to worry about than educating a clueless middle-class white lady who is trying to learn about life on the street.

I am running because: a year ago I couldn’t run (I couldn’t even walk), and my friends at Sanctuary stood by me and held me up.

I am running because: I have seen the way our clinic team enters weird, hostile, and heartbreaking situations without judgement and offers exemplary care.

I am running because: it feels like no one in power cared about the fact that thousands of Torontonians were homeless until those people became more visible in their neighbourhoods.

I am running because: I want to honour the memory of the friends we’ve lost. I’ll be thinking especially of Chris, Zac, Mike, Samson, and Al, who all died during the pandemic.

I am running because: when I get to sing with the Sanctuary Big Little Band or dance at our community concerts, I feel so beloved and alive— it makes me believe that love has won already.

I am running because: I believe in a God who brings good news to the poor, freedom to the captive, and release to the oppressed, and because that’s the kind of world we’re trying to help build over on the east end of Charles street.

That’s why I’m running.

Why will you run?

Or walk?

Or roll?

Visit http://tinyurl.com/sancstrides20 to sign-up, donate, and help us make strides for Sanctuary.