Thursday, April 22, 2010

I & M Canal fundraising event on 5/1

“I&M Canal Walk or Ride” to Raise Funds and Fun

Grab your walking shoes. Or get out your bike. And join the fun at the I&M Canal Walk or Ride this Saturday 5/1.

The I&M Canal Walk or Ride is a special event organized by the nonprofit Canal Corridor Association to raise funds to enhance the trails and other attractions in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor.

“This is a great way to enjoy the scenery and charm of the I&M Canal while raising funds for a good cause,” said Ana Koval, president and CEO of Canal Corridor Association. “It’s also a chance to meet and greet your friends and neighbors while enjoying the outdoors on a spring morning.”

The non-competitive Walk or Ride begins at 8 am and ends at noon in Canalport Park, Morris, Illinois. Choose from a 1- to 5-mile walk or a 10- to 25-mile bike ride. Walkers will head west on the I&M Canal State Trail; bicyclists will ride east. All will meet back at the park to celebrate afterwards with music and refreshments. Raffle prizes will be awarded.

It’s easy to join the fun. Just go to the Canal Corridor Association website (under events), to sign up. Registration is $20 per person for adults and $10 per person for children under 12. Why not invite your friends, family and colleagues and form a team?

Volunteers are welcome, too. You can help with setup before the event and/or with a variety of day-of-event activities, including registration, distributing water on the trail to walkers and riders, goodie bag distribution and more. Call 815-223-1851 to volunteer.

Businesses are invited to support the cause – while getting some visibility in front of an anticipated 200 participants – by sponsoring the I&M Canal Walk or Ride. Choose from several sponsorship packages. Call 815-220-1848 to become an event sponsor.

A spring morning... Friends and family… A historic waterway ... Come celebrate the I&M Canal!

Event details:
What: I&M Canal Walk or Ride
When: Saturday, May 1
Volunteer check-in: 7:30-8:00 am
Registration: 8:00-9:00 am
Bikers Start: 8:30 am
Walkers Start: 9:00 am
Celebration & refreshments 11:00 am - noon
Where: Canalport Park, adjacent to downtown Morris, three blocks west of IL-47.
(Exit I-80 at Morris, take IL-47 south to Illinois Avenue, turn right, 3 blocks to park)

Who: Hosted by and benefiting Canal Corridor Association.
Why: To raise funds to enhance the trails and other attractions along the I&M Canal
National Heritage Corridor
Info: www.lasallecanalboat.org or 815-223-1851

Canal Corridor Association (CCA) is a 28-year-old nonprofit membership organization that preserves history, protects nature and open space, and creates destinations for learning and fun along the I&M Canal, from Chicago to LaSalle/Peru, Illinois. It enhances, raises awareness of and expands the parks, trails, landscape and historic sites that make the I&M Canal region a special place. CCA is the local coordinating agency for the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor and owns and manages the LaSalle Canal Boat and the Lock 16 Visitor Center in LaSalle. Learn more here or here.

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