When the COVID-19 pandemic forced community events across Ontario to adapt or cancel, the organizers of the Rotary Huron Shore Run faced a challenging decision. Rather than abandon their mission, they chose innovation over cancellation, reimagining their beloved annual race to continue supporting vital community initiatives, including the crucial CT Scanner Campaign for Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation.
A Legacy of Community Support
Since 1988, participants, sponsors, and volunteers have come together to raise funds for key initiatives led by the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation. The Rotary Huron Shore Run has long been more than just a race along the stunning Lake Huron shoreline—it’s been a cornerstone of community fundraising that consistently delivers tangible benefits to the region.
Year after year, the Rotary Huron Shore Run team directs the event’s profits back into the community. Recent contributions have played a vital role in advancing the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation’s new Emergency Room, lab, and CT scan. The event’s fundraising model ensures that 60% of proceeds go to Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, 10% to Saugeen Shores Day Away Program, 10% to Saugeen Track Club, and 20% to Port Elgin & Southampton Rotary.
The Critical Need for CT Scanner Technology
The campaign to bring a new CT scanner to Saugeen Memorial Hospital represents more than just an equipment upgrade—it’s about ensuring life-saving diagnostic capabilities remain accessible to the community. This is the latest in the $3 million campaign launched in October, 2021 and has currently raised $2.4 million, demonstrating the significant financial commitment required for this vital piece of medical equipment.
The importance of this technology cannot be overstated. CT scanners provide physicians with detailed cross-sectional images that are essential for rapid diagnosis in emergency situations, helping to detect everything from internal injuries to stroke symptoms with precision that can mean the difference between life and death.
Innovation Born from Necessity: The 2021-2022 Reimagining
When traditional race formats became impossible due to pandemic restrictions, the Huron Shore Run organizers developed an ingenious alternative. The Rotary Huron Shore Run has been re-imagined due to Covid 19 restrictions. We want you to stay active, and help us to continue to raise much needed funds for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation.
The reimagined format allowed participants to Run, Roll, Ride your bike or Walk the distance along the Lake Huron Shore from Sarnia to Tobermory, a total of 325 km, or choose a portion of the journey. Complete the distance in your own neighbourhood on a daily or weekly basis. This virtual approach maintained the event’s fundraising mission while prioritizing participant safety.
2022: Building on Innovation
By 2022, the event had refined this flexible approach while preparing to return to more traditional formats. The reimagined structure proved that community support for the CT Scanner Campaign didn’t depend solely on a single race day—it thrived on the dedication of participants who understood the critical importance of their contributions.
All entry prices have been reduced for the 2022 event, demonstrating the organizers’ commitment to accessibility and community participation during challenging economic times. The event also introduced practical pandemic-era adaptations, noting that we will no longer supply bottled water. There will be water supplied in paper cups at the watering stations and encouraging participants to bring refillable bottles.
Measurable Impact on Healthcare
The success of these fundraising efforts has been remarkable. Organizers June and John VanBastelaar say they expect the total to reach more than $50,000 for the hospital’s CT scanner campaign from recent events, showcasing the substantial financial contribution that community-driven initiatives like the Huron Shore Run provide to healthcare infrastructure.
This grassroots approach to medical equipment funding represents a powerful model of community ownership over local healthcare capabilities. When hospitals need expensive diagnostic equipment, events like the reimagined Huron Shore Run bridge the gap between public funding and the actual costs of cutting-edge medical technology.
Beyond the Numbers: Community Spirit in Action
The reimagined format revealed something profound about the Huron Shore Run community—their commitment transcended the traditional race experience. Participants embraced the virtual challenge not just for personal fitness goals, but because they understood the direct connection between their steps, their donations, and life-saving medical equipment in their local hospital.
Registration is by donation so you will receive a charitable receipt for whatever amount you decide to donate, making the event accessible to supporters regardless of their running abilities or fitness levels. The inclusive approach meant that community members could contribute meaningfully whether they completed 5 kilometers or the full 325-kilometer virtual journey from Sarnia to Tobermory.
Collaborative Community Effort
The CT Scanner Campaign benefits from multiple community initiatives beyond the Huron Shore Run. Bruce Power is making a $100,000 matching pledge for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation CT Scanner campaign, and local businesses like Brian Shular from the Sutton Huron Shores Realty Inc. Group and his team, made a five-year-pledge of $25,000 to support the CT scanner fundraising campaign.
These partnerships demonstrate how the reimagined Huron Shore Run serves as a catalyst for broader community engagement, inspiring additional corporate and individual commitments that amplify the event’s impact far beyond its direct fundraising totals.
Looking Forward: A Sustainable Model
The reimagined format established in 2021 and refined in 2022 proved that community fundraising events could adapt without losing their essential character or effectiveness. By 2024, the event had successfully returned to its traditional lakeside format while maintaining the lessons learned during the pandemic years about flexibility, accessibility, and community engagement.
As an Athletics Ontario sanctioned event, the Huron Shore Run draws runners from across Ontario, transforming every step into a lasting community impact. The reimagined years demonstrated that this impact could be maintained even when circumstances demanded creative solutions.
The Lasting Legacy
The 2022 Huron Shore Run represents a pivotal moment in the event’s history—a year when innovation preserved tradition, when virtual participation delivered real-world results, and when a community’s commitment to healthcare accessibility overcame unprecedented challenges.
Today, as the CT Scanner Campaign nears completion and the Huron Shore Run continues to thrive in its traditional format, the lessons from 2022 remain relevant. Community events succeed not because of their format, but because of the shared commitment of participants, organizers, and supporters who understand that their collective efforts create lasting benefits for everyone.
The reimagined Huron Shore Run of 2022 proved that when communities face obstacles, innovation and determination can transform challenges into opportunities—ensuring that vital initiatives like the CT Scanner Campaign receive the support they need, no matter the circumstances.
