In January, I wrote about meeting Glenda Zamzow and her son, Marcus, at a book signing at Crowfoot Chapters in Calgary.
It resulted in them putting together a plan to try and complete 10 events in 2013 and raise $25,000 for Right To Play. Well, here we are in May and I want to bring you up to date on what’s been happening.
On Jan. 19 Glenda and her eldest son, Derek, along with 373 other hockey players, took part in Hockey Quest 500. Not only that, during the event they sold cupcakes donated by Twisted Tortes and raised $365.
On Feb. 9 Glenda and Marcus headed up to Edmonton to compete in the Birkbeiner cross-country ski event. Marcus skied further than he had ever gone before and completed 55 km.
Unfortunately, March 17 disaster struck. The family were getting ready to start the Rocky Mountain Ski Challenge, Family Ski Day in Canmore, when Marcus slipped on some ice and broke his arm in two places, so he was unable to compete.
On March 30 Glenda entered the Canmore Ski Fest. Her plan was to try and ski 90 km in the 12 hours allowed. She headed off and didn’t stop. By the time the clock hit 12 hours, she had covered an amazing 111 km. The family has a number of events planned for the rest of the year. These include: June 22, trail run at the North Face Rundles Revenge; June 30, trail run at the Fernie Ultra; July 20, Banded Peak Challenge and the 24 hours of Adrenaline mountain bike event; Aug. 25, Run at the Ranch (Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park); Sept. 21, trail run at the Canadian Rockies Heli Run; and Dec. 31, the 4th Annual Marathon Quest 250 Run / Walk.
Right To Play’s motto is “Look after yourself, look after one another”. It’s great to see a family taking this to heart and trying to make a difference. Will they be able to complete all the events and raise the $25,000? Who knows? But at least they’ve decided to give it a go. In life you don’t have to do a lot, you just have to do something.
So far, the Zamzows have raised $3,447.05, so there’s still a long way to go. If you’d like to support this amazing family, the “Zamzow Family Charity Dinner, Auction and Dance” is being held June 8 at the Bearspaw Lifestyle Centre. There will be two bands, great food, silent and live auctions plus an excellent guest speaker (who also writes this column for the Eagle) and fun for all the family.
If you would like tickets please go to zamzowchallenge.com. It will be a night to remember.
