Zombies will be on the loose at Sheppard’s Bush next Saturday

October 8, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Brock Weir

If you’re in the vicinity of Sheppard’s Bush next Saturday and see hordes of zombies roaming the area, don’t be alarmed.

In fact, don’t be afraid to join in the fun.

On Saturday, October 18, Girls Inc. will host their second annual Zombie Run, heading out from Sheppard’s Bush from 3 – 6 p.m. Open to everyone this 3km or 1.5km run/walk combines the fun of a run with a bit of the Capture the Flag Flavour. All proceeds from pledges raised will go back to the United Way of York Region. (Girls Inc. of York Region is a partner agency of the United Way) Girls Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to empowering girls and young women.

“The staff came up with this idea last year and we went to the girls we work with between the ages of six and 18, asked what is cool and in right now and zombies came up because of all the new zombie TV shows and video games,” explains Tracey Moore, Program Administrator for Girls Inc. York. “We had groups of adults come and participate last year and they absolutely loved it. Then, we had kids come out who thought it was the greatest, scariest thinking in the world.

“There was the novelty of it because we have all our volunteers dress up as zombies, they take a lot of time and effort for their costumes and makeup, and they really take it full-heartedly for the whole three hours of the run. Everyone just thought it was such a cool experience to go out and try to dominate the zombie horde.”

While proceeds of the run benefit the United Way, the money often filters back down to Girls Inc through United Way’s ongoing support of their programs. October is a crucial time for these programs, with many of their student programs getting underway this month.

After school programs are coming into full swing this month at schools in Aurora and Newmarket. They are also working with the York Catholic District School Board and York Region District School Board to broaden their scope of programs. Additional opportunities include equine sponsorship in Guilford.

“The program in Aurora is starting this month and is funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport,” says Ms. Moore. “It is a three-day-a-week program which focuses on healthy lifestyle choices, healthy eating, physical activity, self-esteem, self-confidence, and body image, and those are the main components of a lot of Girls Inc.’s projects.

“The goal by the end of the program is [for the girls] to create their own realistic, healthy recipe book that they can do at home, regardless of their parents’ economic income and they will also be working with our certified coaches to work on fundamental skills to start taking new risks and trying new sports outside of the program.”

For more information on Girls Inc. and how to take part in this year’s Zombie Run, contact Ms. Moore at tracey@girlsincyork.org or call 905-830-0776 x.305.

“It is a good chance to get out, be involved and in the community,” says Ms. Moore.