After launching the Run for Newmarket in 2022, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association Newmarket chapter organized its second annual run in October of 2023.
Once again the charity run saw plenty of success with more than 100 runners coming out to support the event. It was able to raise more than $10,000 with $5,500 each going to the York Region Food Network and CHATS (Community and Home Assistance to Seniors).
The goal of the run is to raise funds for two different charities in need each year. The inaugural run in 2022 raised $8,000 for Blue Door and the Newmarket Food Pantry.
“It was a big, big success considering it was our first run,” said Salman Ahmad, vice-president of the Newmarket chapter.
The success of the inaugural run resulted in many charities in the community reaching out to the association about being selected for support for the next run, which made it tough to choose.
“We were overwhelmed with the number of charities that reached out to us after last year's event," Ahmad said. “It was just amazing to see what work is being done in Newmarket.”
Ahmad said that CHATS and the York Region Food Network were chosen in 2023 because they address two different areas of need with food insecurity and seniors support.
“We wanted to diversify our charities that we support,” he said.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association has 90 chapters throughout Canada, and last year, 18 local chapters sponsored runs, which collectively have raised millions for charities in their communities.
