Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
June 28, 2005
Students Walk 40 Days for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada
Two University of Guelph students will spend 40 days walking the world’s longest thoroughfare – Yonge Street – starting July 1 to raise funds and awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Fifth-year hotel and tourism management student Jody Chrobak and third-year international development student Dan Rossi, along with Jonathon Mishrigi, Mark Macdonnell and Rossi’s brother Andrew, make up the team “Five With Drive.” They hope to raise $50,000 for the child and youth service organization that provides mentoring programs and support in more than 300 Canadian communities. They also want to bring attention to the need for positive role models in the lives of children.
“There are a lot of children out there who don’t have a positive role model in their life, especially if they lack a mother figure or father figure,” said Rossi, who is currently a Big Brother to a 13-year-old boy and has been a mentor through the organization for the past decade. He hopes people will think about volunteering their time to mentor a child. “We all have life lessons we can share with another person. They are free to give and can bring real change to a young person’s life.”
On Canada Day, the group will begin its walk at the most easterly point of Yonge Street in Rainy River, Ont., a small community on the Ontario-Minnesota border, roughly 100 kilometres east of Fort Frances. Each day, they will spend between 12 and 15 hours walking along Highway 11, which is officially an extension of Toronto’s Yonge Street.
They expect to finish their 1,900-kilometre journey Aug. 9 in Toronto.
“We are trying to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Chrobak. “We are trying to show people that anyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small. If we can touch just one person with our message, we have accomplished what we set out to do.”
For more information, visit Five With Drive's website.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rebecca Kendall, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
