Gerald St-Amand Trophy finds a home at BMO Centre

Gerald St-Amand Trophy finds a home at BMO Centre The Gerald St-Amand Memorial Trophy, which celebrates the winners of the annual Bedford 5k to Beat Lung Cancer fun run supporting the Canadian Cancer Society, will be placed in its permanent home in Bedford’s BMO Centre in a brief induction ceremony on November 3rd at 11am.

Bedford Councillor Tim Outhit, Mayor Peter Kelly, run founder Jean St-Amand, as well as family and friends will be on hand for the event.

The annual Bedford 5k to Beat Lung Cancer was started in 2008 after Jean’s father, Gerry St-Amand, a long-time Bedford resident, was diagnosed with Lung Cancer.

Gerry had been a tireless community volunteer for organizations such as the Black Duck Committee, Bedford Waterfront Development Committee, Phoenix Youth Programs, Scouts Canada, the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, and the Knights of Columbus.

This commitment to the community was not lost on Jean or his brother Paul, both frequent community volunteers themselves.

“I had been looking for a way to turn my new-found passion for running into a community event in support of a charity, and when my father was diagnosed, my direction suddenly became clear,” says Jean, the run’s founder and organizer. “And I’m pleased to say we’ve raised more than $25,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society in our first four years.”

In 2010, Jean introduced the Gerald St-Amand Memorial Trophy to the event, a beautiful hand-crafted piece from Nova Scotian Crystal. Its base includes the medal that was awarded to Gerry when he participated in the first Bedford 5k in 2008, and plates upon which the names of the top male and female finishers of each run are engraved. Jean likens it to their very own Stanley Cup trophy.

“The idea was to memorialize my father while recognizing the members of our community who come out in support of our event each year,” says St-Amand. “It’s a community event after all, and I thought this was a perfect way to celebrate it.”

Councillor Tim Outhit, Mayor Peter Kelly and others will be on hand for the brief ceremony at BMO Centre, beginning at 11am on Thursday, November 3rd.

“I’m pleased to be presiding over this induction ceremony – a small tribute to Gerry who in addition to being a hard-working member of the Bedford community was also a friend of mine,” says Tim Outhit, Councillor for Bedford.

The Bedford 5k is a family-friendly event, featuring a scenic route along Bedford’s waterfront, live music, face-painting, prize draws and other activities. Younger children can run a 500-metre kids’ course, and every participant receives a medal which can be custom engraved.

Business and personal sponsors participate with financial contributions, as well as buy “Milestone Markers” – colourful wayfinder signs along the race route.

The 5th Annual Bedford 5k to Beat Lung Cancer will take place on Canada Day, July 1st 2012. To date the event has raised more than $25,000.

For more information, please visit www.Bedford5k.com.

Source: http://www.bedfordbeacon.com/gerald-st-amand-trophy-finds-a-home-at-bmo-centre

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