Keeping Kaleigh's dream alive

BY PAT MARTIN

Kaleigh French was an amazing humble young lady with a dream to help others in need. However, when she lost her battle with cancer and couldn’t accomplish that dream, her family and friends made it happen through the creation of the Kaleigh French Reaching Out Globally (KFROG) organization.

After moving to the Canning area in 1999, becoming a student at KCA and NKEC, Kaleigh graduated in 2005. She applied as a volunteer and was accepted to go to Guyana with Youth Challenge International for an eight-week mission. Kaleigh was going to teach AIDS awareness to young adults in a place where AIDS is a major concern.

Shortly after she began fundraising, she was diagnosed with cancer. Her plans were postponed, she underwent surgery and treatments, and in June 2007, she lost her battle.

That summer a couple of Kaleigh’s friends and her mother sat down together. They wanted to do something that would show Kaleigh’s spirit.

Under the umbrella of the Canning District Recreation Commission, which was very helpful according to Kaleigh’s mother Carol, the KFROG organization was born. Committee members include Carol French, Libby Dolsen, Cari Patterson, Cheryl Thompson, and Molly Rogers and Lynn Manning and Tammy Johnstone as the memorial garden committee.

Memorable series of events

On Sunday, June 8, the KFROG organization hosted the first and sure to be annual Kaleigh French Reaching Out Globally day. It was a memorable series of charity events held at the Look Off on Hwy. 358, Canning. The foremost objective was to raise funds to assist other youth who were going on volunteer missions, as well as keeping Kaleigh’s dream alive.

Under favourable skies, the charity event was a huge success, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with the 5km and 10km walk/run and then a pancake breakfast. A memorial service followed at 10 a.m. at the memorial garden. Family activities began at 11 a.m. with craft booths, T-shirt sales, archery, Chinese auction, BBQ, beer tent, and live entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Entertainment included Agape - Rob Atkinson and Company, Apple Blossom Idol winner Laura Roy, and many fine artists like Hi-Lites Entertainment, Brian Higgins and Friends, Val Blanchard, The Bandits, Joanne McGuinnis, Bill Tupper and Friends, Scrimige, Heather Kelday accompanied by guitarist Matt French, and Nicole Sheppard and Company.

The Legacy Run began on the Look Off grounds with participants running toward Scott’s Bay and back in a loop.

“The ones running the 10k would’ve had a really good run,” French said. “They had a good old hill to come up past Steward Mountain and back.”

Mimicking Kaleigh’s determination, French added, “I actually did the 5k run myself. I teach fitness classes, but I could never have run a 5k, so I trained for it. I started off walking, then running, and then walking again. I surprised myself. I was very lucky I got to run the route several times. I had the advantage, I think. But the hills are always a challenge.

“We had such an amazing day,” French said. “We had 72 registrants for the run. But sit down while you hear this; we will have raised over $14,000 from this one-day event.”

Kaleigh’s Kindred Spirit Award inaugurated

Funds raised will give other youth the opportunity to apply for the “Kaleigh’s Kindred Spirit Award” set up by the organization, which will help youth with volunteer global missions. Organizers are optimistic they will receive numerous ongoing applications.

“I expect periodic applications and so as long as funds are available, we can consider them for the award,” French said. “We already have a few students just waiting for their conformation letters so they can apply officially.”

Applicants must first have applied with a recognized organization like the Youth Challenge International, then with a photocopied acceptance letter they can apply by writing to the KFROG organization explaining what they expect to gain from going on a volunteer mission. When accepted, they must promise to share their experience with their communities when they return.

“We don’t want it to stop there,” French said. “We want it to be able to touch as many lives as possible. Going on these missions, no doubt, will change their lives. And I think they will have an incredible message to convey when they get back. Perhaps they will inspire others to do the same.”

Kaleigh touched a lot of people: volunteer

“I was so pleased that I was involved in it,” said KFROG committee member Libby Dolsen. “I would never have believed we would have this much support. Kaleigh touched a lot of people.”

“Our goal is to grow and exceed with mini events throughout the year,” French said.

Community enthusiasm was outstanding. Volunteers and local business donated their time and prizes and people participated from as far away as Ontario, Newfoundland, and the United States. “A special thanks goes out to them all. Thanks also to Kelly Lee and to Cari Patterson, who worked very hard on the run, and to Tammy Johnstone and Lynn Manning for all their help on the memorial garden,” French added. “The memorial garden is a quiet place of reflection and comfort for everyone who has loved and lost.”

Committee members shared a message from a participant that summed up the event perfectly. It stated that the day couldn’t have been more memorable to help keep a child’s memory alive and leave a living legacy to Kaleigh. The welcoming atmosphere, the location, the run, the booths and the garden made the event a pleasure to participate in.

“I just get goosebumps thinking about it,” French said. “It was such a wonderful day. It was such an honour to see her dream come true. I could just feel her beaming down on us. It was incredible.”

Contact Carol French at 582-1418 or c.French@exountry.tv to donate. To apply for the award, write to KFROG: 3369 Hwy. 358, Canning, N.S., B0P 1H0 or visit www.KFROG.ca.