In just under a week Wade Wondrasek, the triathlete raising money for Cochrane’s Boys & Girls Club, will be pounding the pavement at IRONMAN Arizona in the city of Tempe and, despite the economic downturn, is pleased to almost crack $12,000 so far.
Last year, Wondrasek pulled in $30,000 for the club, which went towards its various programs and services. This time around, he estimates he’ll come in around $12,000 (currently at $11,500) for this year’s run, but Wondrasek is not surprised with the current economic climate in the province.
“Compared to last year, it’s substantially lower, which I kind of expected. I’m in oil and gas; that’s a lot of my connections. Industry-wide it’s pretty doom and gloom down here.
“I have no expectations from anybody or any company. It is what it is. People are still donating, it’s just a lower number.”
One thing he was disappointed about was the lack of participation in the passport system – a program where anyone is invited to set a fitness goal or challenge with the caveat of fundraising for the club. Wondrasek is still the sole participant.
“I don’t know if it’s maybe lack of information or people haven’t picked up on how to go about starting it, but it didn’t really take off.”
The program is still available and Wondrasek said he’d encourage anyone, since it gave him the necessary push for a concrete personal target to achieve for a good cause.
“It’s an amazing experience once you start it when you set your goal and you’re raising money for a great club, you’re helping kids then you meet that goal.
“You can’t really put it in words. Sometimes you need that extra push to meet your goals. That’s where it helped me in doing my first IRONMAN.”
While getting fit and challenging yourself is the personal end result, Wondrasek said supporting the kids who walk through the club’s doors is the ultimate goal.
“It’s always been about the kids. I think all the kids deserve the ability or the option to meet their own goals.
“If you can’t be there day to day, then join this way. They’re great kids. They’re not all kids that are in need or starving, but at the same time, you get one of those kids come up to you and say thanks, it’s a pretty cool feeling.”
To join the passport program, visit www.bgccochrane.ca and download the registration form and offline pledge form. Money donations can also be made on the page.
The IRONMAN Arizona goes Nov. 15 in Tempe.
