BY: JELANI GRANT
The Kingston College Old Boys’ Association will be hosting their 4th Annual Steps for Success 5K Walk-A-Thon at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton. Under the patronage of Jamaica Consulate General, Lloyd Wilks, Sep 15th will see local residents and supporters of the college joining members of the KCOBA in a walk along the park’s perimeter.
Each year, the morning walk brings community members and KC alumni together while gathering funding for school materials and food for hundreds of enrolled students. This year, the affiliate group Ryerson Afro Caribbean Students Association alumni will join the walk to raise funds for the Roger
McTair Student Filmmaker Award; an award granted to students attending Ryerson University.
Including the health appeal for all participating registrants, the 5K Walk-A-Thon raises funds to provide needed books, nutritious meals, academic scholarships and medical care to students who are not able to afford these essential needs and services.
This year’s walk will also support a recently instituted dental program at Kingston College in Jamaica. KCOBA partnered with the Dent-A-Care Mobile Clinic to establish a dental care program at Kingston College. The initial phase of the program is covering the cost of dental treatment for a limited number of students plus two auxiliary workers. With enough support, the group expects to expand this program to assist every student in need of dental treatment. According to the KCOBA website, the program’s success mainly relies on the generous financial support of friends, past students, and the wider community.
Registration for the 5K will begin at 9:00 A.M., and at 10:00 A.M. walkers will begin their trip around the park. After registrants have completed their walk, they are welcomed to join the routine BBQ as congratulations for completing the physical challenge. According to Bright Side, walking lowers stress by releasing endorphins so participants are not only walking for a good cause but also calming their mind for a weekend.
The Old Boys have maintained the objective of being a resource to Kingston College since 1973 when 33 Old Boys established the association’s Toronto chapter. With the continued funding for various donations, such as the dental treatment program, the association will surely be able to use their Alumni position to contribute to the achievements of current students. “Proceeds from this year’s event will fund two scholarships to post-secondary institutions in Ontario as well as students at 11 schools in the Caribbean,” said KCOBA Life Director Alex Francis. Francis said the funds raised to provide direct relief for some of the persistent issues negatively impacting students school experiences.
Other donations KCOBA contributes to include the KC Development Trust Fund, the KC Cadet Corp, and the KC Track & Field team. Additionally, they raise funds to support the Alliance of Jamaica Alumni Association’s Care and Share Program providing food baskets, clothing and toys to families in the GTA. A longstanding alumni celebration, KCOBA, and their supporters are already marking the date for their 45th Annual Reunion & Awards Banquet scheduled for Nov 3rd as a follow up to the 5K.
