Pyramid Lake employee plans walkathon

Though he has the path mapped out, Thomas Argue is finding the road to a charitable walkathon is a hard one.

So far, the Pyramid Lake Resort employee knows the event will be on August 7, it will be about a two-hour route around the townsite and it will be a great time.

Funds will go to Action Against Hunger, an organization that builds water pumps in third-world countries, where women have to walk miles to collect water for their families and are subject to rape and violent attacks.

The walk in Jasper would be comparable to the distance the women travel, and therefore meaningful for its participants, Argue said.

The 20-year-old northern BC native is calling on businesses around town to show their support by asking larger organizations to sponsor teams to walk and smaller ones to donate what they can.

His boss, Olaf Miede at Pyramid Lake, said he will supply refreshments for the walk and sponsor a team of employees.

“We’re trying to find ways to support our ambassadors and give them ways, other than just an extra 50 cents an hour, to fulfill their lives,” Miede said. “It is great to see people like Thomas who feel great about something and support them down the line.”

Argue expects it will be worth the effort, but he is quickly learning there are a number of hoops to jump through to organize a large-scale community fundraiser.

“Some days it feels discouraging, it feels like I’ve bit off more than I can chew,” he said. “But you do the math, with every individual and if we had 10 teams... who knows how much you can raise?”

And though organizing the event may be tough, rallying support might not be. In addition to Pyramid Lake Resorts, other hotels around town are willing to pitch in.

Darcy Carroll, manager of the Athabasca Hotel, said when it comes to the community, the Atha-B is “number one.”

“Anything I can do, I will be the first to step up to the plate,” he said.

Tony Vlahos, manager of Park Place Inn, said though he has too few staff to form a team, he’d be willing to donate to support the cause.

Ryan Verge, young adult outreach worker for Community Outreach Services said he was interested in getting involved as well. “It’s definitely something that’s up our alley,” he said.

The community is supportive, Argue said, adding he was surprised how quickly friends and acquaintances offered their help once he mentioned the walk.

He was inspired to help others since visiting Belize last year on a trip to build an orphanage. “I saw kids in garbage bags, and that does something to you,” he said. “I know we can do something.”

Argue will present his walk route to council on July 22, as he needs approval because it crosses the highway, and start to spread the word once he finalizes the plans. It’s a lot of work, but he says he doesn’t mind.

“I’d rather wear myself out doing something for a good cause,” Argue said. “When you have a passion about it, it makes a world of difference.”