Mark-a-thon returns in support of A Place Called Home

Mark Fevang decided to participate in a little hiking fundraiser back in 2001 for the local homeless shelter, A Place Called Home (APCH). Over 20 years later, he himself has now raised over 120,000 dollars for participating in the 10 km walk annually, and the board way back in 2003 renamed it the Mark-a-thon in recognition of his early achievements.

Mark’s mother, Margaret, was on APCH’s board when the first fundraiser began in 2000, at the time called the A Place Called Home Walk. The first fundraiser was to either do a 5 km or a 10 km walk at Ken Reid, and was done by Margaret and her friend also on the board Lorrie Polito, to raise money to help those who needed their services.

“The first time I did it,” Mark told the Advocate, “I raised about 300 dollars, and it got bigger and bigger every year. So they decided eventually to name it after me.”

Except for the two years the walk wasn’t able to happen due to COVID restrictions, Mark has done the Mark-a-thon every year. It now has a route that is either 5 km or 10 km, but instead is a trek across the town of Lindsay. If you would like to join the walk, it is on Saturday, August 12. It starts at Farmer’s Market on Victoria Avenue. Registration starts there at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9. The halfway point is at A&W, on Kent Street, where people have the choice to stop, and the final point is at The Coach & Horses, where there will be a pet-friendly BBQ at 1 p.m.

“The precious funds raised from the walk go directly to support our shelter operations, ensuring that we have adequate resources such as food, utility payments and repairs for our shelter and outreach clients,” said Jennifer Lopinski, APCH’s Fund Development Coordinator.

“I started doing the walk,” said Mark, “for the homeless and because my mother was always there for me. Then when she passed in 2008, I devoted the walk also to her.” This year he is also walking in his father’s memory, Ron Fevang, who passed away in March this year and according to Mark was “always a big walker”.

“Mark’s commitment to supporting the homeless in our community is unwavering,” said Lopinski, “and our agency rejoices in every step Mark takes. He is our hero at A Place Called Home and in the community.”

Those interested in participating in this year’s walk can get tickets and raise funds at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/aplacecalledhome/943316