“It was amazing, seeing a community come together, all helping each other”, said Betty Riel, founder of local non-profit The Betty Riel Foundation. She’s referring to the organization’s triathlon, a tradition that the charity started last year.
Raising a record $13,000, the organization welcomed 86 participants who opted to either run, cycle or kayak a divided distance of 31 kilometres spanning across Ormstown, Dewittville and Huntingdon. Five brave individuals, including local MP Stéphane Billette choose to “Full Monty”—meaning that they undertook the entire triathlon as a one-person endeavour. By day’s end, family team Three Generations took the lead (consisting of Carolyne, Kristina and Jarod Labelle). Local Gregory Bohemen took first place in the “Full Monty” category.
Athletes finished off the day with a brief ceremony in Chateauguay Valley Regional high school’s gymnasium, where local caterer Marie Shewchuk provided a lunch—another local that volunteered her time to the cause. One of the foundation’s board members, Jacques Lemay, busied himself taking photographs to commemorate the event—also volunteering his time to the cause. While everyone was enjoying a rest after the race, Billette presented Riel with a letter from Premier Philippe Couillard, thanking her for her “social and human commitment”. Riel was touched, but added, “I couldn’t do this if I wasn’t surrounded by so many generous people, such a giving community.”
The foundation, which works alongside driving service S.A.B.E.C. to provide transportation for local cancer patients, provides close to 57 trips a month for locals across the Chateauguay Valley—a service that costs about $3,320 per month—totaling a cost of nearly $40,000 per year.
As for Riel, she is looking ahead to the foundation’s 11th annual Walk-A-Thon, which will take place on October 1st. “I’ll be looking forward to seeing everyone walking the same route, together,” said Riel of her next event.
