Jeromy Farkas’ Big Run to support Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Calgary
Posted Mar 3, 2022 4:41 pm.
Former Calgary city councillor and one-time mayoral candidate Jeromy Farkas is running again — but not in the way you may imagine.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area is partnering with him for Jeromy’s Big Run for Big Brothers Big Sisters, with the goal of raising money for children and youth mentorship programs.
His hope is to raise $50,000 for the organization by running more than 4,000 kilometres from Mexico through Canada.
BBBS of Calgary and Area is thrilled to partner with @JeromyYYC for Jeromy's Big Run for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area. Jeromy will be running the Pacific Crest Trail with the goal of raising $50,000 for our organization! To donate, visit https://t.co/tr2RUh2ZNX pic.twitter.com/Qkbz9nLuh0
— BBBS Calgary (@BBBSCalgary) March 3, 2022
Farkas is doing this in honour of his late grandmother, Elizabeth Ptycia, who was also a passionate East Calgary mentor and elementary school teacher, also known as “Granny Liz,” for over 25 years.
“We are a charity that supports mentoring in our community — one-on-one mentors, volunteers with life experience, and a healthy outlook on life team up with young people that might have some adversity in their life and they need that special person, other than their teacher or family or friends to put them on a great path,” said Ken Lima-Coelho, CEO and president of Big Brothers and Sisters of Calgary.
“Jeremy believes in the power of this so he’s teaming up with us in an amazing adventure and he’s going to be running the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).”
Farkas’ goal is to finish the PCT in less than 100 days.
He will travel with few belongings and carry only what fits into his backpack, making occasional visits to small towns for food and supplies.
Farkas said he is excited to be running again and asking Calgarians for their support to make this campaign a success.
“I grew up in East Calgary and Dover and I saw first hand the benefits of those positive mentorship relationships. I always wanted to make a positive impact in our community.”
As for the trail itself, it begins at the U.S.-Mexico border in the remote California desert southeast of San Diego.
“It is going to be through the deserts [and] mountain and the elevation gain is basically climbing Mount Everest from sea more than 17 times.
“So it’s going to be very tough mentally, going to be very tough physically but I’m going to be journaling and posting to social media the adventure and it’s all in support of an incredible cause here at home,” said Farkas.
Farkas says $10,000 has already been raised for the cause that he is passionate about.
Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada has been around since 1913 and offers multiple mentoring programs for children and youth, with the Calgary chapter offering services in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, and surrounding communities.
