Vertical Slam Ultimate Challenge Society announces funds raised for charity

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Vertical Slam Ultimate Challenge Society has unveiled the amount raised through two local charity endurance races on September 5th.

The non-profit holds two endurance events: its namesake race and the 24-hour Sadownik Miles for Smiles event in June. 
According to the non-profit’s founder and director, Laurie Cardinal, over $25,000 in donations was raised. 

In what she says was the Vertical Slam Ultimate Challenge’s “biggest year,” $22,000 will go toward School District 60 food programs, good for $1000 per school.

An avid endurance event enthusiast, she says the money raised from participants shows how focused Fort St. John is on the community.

“We are very mighty,” said Cardinal, adding that in any given year, she has to work with as many as five other directors. “Even though we live in a town where we assume there’s a lot of  financial stability, there’s a lot of kids going home at night that are not even getting supper.”

She says planning for these annual events begins in November, with “months” of planning and strategizing year after year.

$3,600 in grocery gift cards were raised during the Sadownik Miles for Smiles event, a day-long affair named after late local residents Steve and Nicole Sadownik.

Cardinal says Steve joked about running for 24 hours around Fish Creek, the event’s location.

The gift cards went to Fort St. John Hospital’s Chemotherapy unit for patients entering therapy.

“We came up with this idea because we thought multiple laps for 24 hours would be boundless suffering,” said Cardinal.  

“But looking at someone suffering from cancer, it’s a much harder fight than any of us are going through.”

Laurie even competed in the latter event with what she described as a “really great group,” enduring through the entire evening June 25th.

She estimates about 80 athletes competed throughout the entire event, some braving the torrential downpour that welcomed participants.

As part of the gift card donation, each patient will be given an envelope containing the cards and a motivating message when entering treatment.

Cardinal says time and financial stress can be a burden, but she wanted to give patients an added boost.

Further information about the races can be found through the Vertical Slam Ultimate Challenges’ Facebook page.