December is nearly upon us, and for the second year in a row, the community is invited to spend the month getting active, while raising funds for charity.
The December Project, which began last winter, is the brainchild of Jasperite Joe Urie.
The goal of the project is two-fold: to get people off the couch for 30 minutes of exercise a day and to raise funds for two local causes.
Urie came up with the idea last winter as a way of encouraging people to get active during the holiday season—a time often consumed by overindulgence and inactivity. To kick things off, he started a Facebook page, explaining the idea and inviting the community to get involved.
From there, the December Project quickly grew, garnering nearly 200 likes and a stream of daily posts from participants, sharing their daily progress with photos from their outings.
They reported on long distance trail runs, cross-country ski trips and fitness classes, as well as dog walks, visits to the gym and everything in between.
Urie said last year many of the participants were Jasper’s fitness buffs, but the goal this year is to encourage everyone in the community, from kids to teenagers, adults and seniors, to sweat for 30 minutes a day.
“It’s not a competition,” said Urie, noting that a half-hour walk around town counts. It’s just about getting the blood pumping, he said.
“I’d like to see more people involved that you wouldn’t expect to see, and I want to see people encouraging their friends to get out.”
This year, registration is $20, with all of the funds split between two causes; the first is the sponsorship of a Syrian refugee family and the second is the Community Caring Fund.
The Community Caring Fund is administered by the Jasper Community Team. Its intent is to allow outreach workers to help community members overcome small, but significant, barriers to their optimal wellness.
Urie said it was important to him that the funds go toward local initiatives and said he’s happy to be supporting both the local community and global community this year.
Last year, the December Project raised $2,000 and donated it to Advocates for Special Kids (ASK), a local organization dedicated to helping kids with special needs.
Urie said the charity will change every year, in an effort to spread the wealth and support different facets of the community.
Like last year, Urie is encouraging businesses to get involved by organizing group outings to raise additional funds. The Fitness Network has already expressed interest, and so has Garneau Endurance Training.
Urie’s hope is that before Dec. 1 there will be a whole calendar of December Project events to encourage people to get active and donate a few extra dollars.
To sign up for the December Project, like the Facebook page and drop off a $20 donation at the Bear’s Paw Bakery or the Other Paw Bakery.
Nicole Veerman
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