Cendrine Marrouat: Hello Tannis, thank you for answering my questions. What is the Annual Run With Porter Event and why did you create it?
Tannis Francis: The second annual Run with Porter 2010 is an eco-friendly 5 km and 10 km run/walk held Sunday, June 6th at beautiful Birds Hill Park. Beginning with a sunrise yoga and kids 100-meter dash, and ending with a delicious organic breakfast, RWP encourages others to gather together in nature while also protecting it.
One of the promises we made to our son, Porter Francis, who bravely battled a rare immunodeficiency disease, was to always seek him out in nature, as he was never given the opportunity to fully appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Although only a baby when he passed, he taught us all the importance of celebrating love, life, and nature. Run with Porter has helped Porter’s spirit continue to create a strong sense of community.
CM: Why did you choose Birds Hill Park as the place for this event?
TF: Birds Hill Park was a natural choice for the event for several reasons. Firstly, the provincial park’s beauty and tall aspens simply inspire peace and a connection to the important things in life. We spent many hours walking in the park after Porter passed seeking and finding moments of beauty that we often thought would be too difficult to ever experience again. Additionally, since Run with Porter is an eco-friendly event, we really wanted to immerse our participants within nature, as opposed to running along a highway or track, we encourage our participants to join us in taking a moment to appreciate the surrounding splendour that Birds Hill Park offers.
CM: Where do the proceeds go?
TF: The RWP 2010 proceeds will support the newly developed Run with Porter Seedling Foundation providing financial assistance for Manitoban charities that connect children with nature. Last year we were able to donate over $10,000 to the Manitoba Sunshine Fund sending underprivileged children to summer camp. This year's recipient is Winnipeg Harvest's new Blue Box Gardens program teaching inner-city youth the connectivity between earth and food and community. Supporting this program further continues Porter’s journey of sharing joy while encouraging others to cherish their environment.
CM: How can people get involved with the Annual Run With Porter?
TF: Whether you’re interested in volunteering, donating, sponsoring, or walking/running in Run with Porter 2010, all information can be found on our website at www.runwithporter.com.
CM: The Run is part of the events listed in Manitoba for Earth Day. What is your long-term goal and what, according to you, are the most pressing environmental issues in our area?
TF: If Run with Porter 2010 can inspire even one person to dig her hands in some dirt to sow a seed, or cast his hook into the water, we will have accomplished what we set out to do. Long-term goals though are grand. We hope to choose a new organization each year to support through the Seedling Foundation in hopes these groups will continue to teach our youth the importance of both celebrating and protecting our environment. Additionally, by using compostable dishes and utensils, or serving organic food for example, we are demonstrating how it is possible to gather together in nature in a large scale, yet still protect it. We feel that this is one of the first steps in helping educate the community that their actions matter and even small gestures can create a big difference on our earth. I have learned so much about the options out there for making more eco-friendly choices, and this education is definitely a pressing issue – yet we think we’re demonstrating that green options are both possible and essential.
The second annual Run With Porter Event will be held on Sunday, June 6th, 2010. Visit http://www.runwithporter.com/ for more information.
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