Three Local Charities Benefit from Annual Run with Responders 5K

Organizers and officials of the 2025 Run With Responders 5K presented three local charities with cheques for $3,500 each today.

The $10,500 total was raised during the 3rd Annual Run with Responders 5K, which raised funds and awareness in support of first responders and their local charities of choice. Nearly 400 individual runners and walkers of all ages took part in this unique first responder–themed charity run celebrating all frontline service providers.

“For 2025, our charities are Canadian Mental Health Association – Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB), Windsor Firefighters Benefit Fund and Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Ontario, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit these three important charitable organizations,” co-organizer Dave Orshinsky

Windsor Police Service Chief Jason Bellaire, Windsor Fire & Rescue Services Chief James Waffle, and Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Deputy Chief Ziad Fatallah were joined by event organizers at Windsor Fire & Rescue Services headquarters on Goyeau Street to present donation cheques to their respective charities.

Funds raised support ongoing mental health education, training, and awareness as part of the Sole Focus Project of the CMHA-WECB. Many sessions are geared toward helping community stakeholders, from first responders and medical professionals to youth and caregivers.

“Mental health is key to our well-being, and we can’t be truly healthy without it,” said CMHA-WECB Director of Communications and Mental Health Promotion Kim Willis. “When individuals are mentally healthy, they are able to realize their own abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and make positive contributions to their community.”

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics engages law enforcement officers worldwide, championing acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, starting first with their own communities.

The presenting partners of the Run with Responders 5K, 1K and Kids Dash were the Windsor Port Authority and the Windsor Police Association.

“Windsor Port Authority is proud to be one of the presenting sponsors for the 2025 Run with Responders 5K in support of CMHA-WECB, Windsor Firefighters Benefit Fund and LETR for Special Olympics,” said Windsor Port Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Salmons. “We are committed to supporting organizations and individuals who contribute to the well-being of our community, and we are thankful for the dedication, sacrifices, and achievements of all professional and volunteer first responders in Windsor-Essex who work tirelessly to make the region a great place to live, work and play.”

“Run With Responders gives first responders and community participants the opportunity to support three great initiatives that champion mental health support, acceptance and inclusion,” said Windsor Police Association President Kent Rice.

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Run For Windsor

A charity 5K Run and 1K walk to raise funds for Windsor Regional Hospital System. This is our 5th Annual Run/Walk. RFW has raised closed to $100K over the years for the Regional Health Care System. It is only with your help that we can make this year’s event even bigger and better.

Whether you are a marathon runner, a jogger, just enjoy staying active, or looking for a fun family event for a good cause, we invite you to take part in this fundraiser to support our local community. Bring everyone you know to run, jog, or walk your way to more accessible healthcare.

Come join us. The AMJ community has long served the Windsor-Essex community, which its members have called home for generations. Community members are committed to the development and future of this region and are proud to connect with and support local organizations whenever possible. We are proud to be part of the rich cultural fabric of Windsor, which is defined by its commitment to respect, diversity, and the spirit of helping and uplifting one another.

The community’s motto, “Love for All, Hatred for None,” encourages members to look after the interests of all members of society. It was this spirit that led to the nationwide launch of “Run for Canada” charity events 13 years ago.

Each of these events, held from Calgary to Vaughan, have cumulatively raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for health- care and other noble initiatives in their respective communities. 

Group of Four $75, Audience = Free, Volunteers welcome.  Volunteers get a Free RFW Tshirt, Certificate of Appreciation and community hrs (for high school students).

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WYCked Run/Walk 5K – Halloween Fun for a Cause!

Celebrate Halloween and support local youth at the WYCked Run/Walk 5K, a family-friendly event benefiting the Windsor Youth Centre (WYC), a vital program of The Downtown Mission. Dress up, bring your friends, and enjoy a spirited morning along the scenic riverfront trail.

 Walk or run at your own pace
 Prizes for best costume (individual & team) and most spirited participants
 Every ticket helps provide food, shelter, and care for youth in need

Costumes encouraged. Fun guaranteed. Community impact—priceless.

The WYCked Run is a family-friendly 5K run and walk taking place on October 25, 2025, in support of the Windsor Youth Centre (WYC), a vital program of The Downtown Mission.

Every ticket you purchase helps provide food, shelter, and care for youth struggling in our community. So grab your friends, put on a costume, and join us at the riverfront!

Remember- it’s not who wins the race, but who has the most fun! Prizes will be available for the best dressed (individuals & team) and participants with the most spirit!

 Tickets: $25
• Includes one free goodie bag(per participant)
• Includes one free registration bib (per participant)

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Run With Responders 5K – Charity Event

Organizers of the 2025 Run With Responders 5K will welcome local residents as they join members of the Windsor Police Service, Windsor Fire & Rescue Services and Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services (EMS) on a five-kilometre (5K) route along the Windsor Riverfront Trail on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

With nearly 400 runners pre-registered to participate,100% of the proceeds will benefit these three important charitable organizations: Canadian Mental Health Association – Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB), Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and Windsor Firefighters Benefit Fund.

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Ground Effects Windsor Waterfront Half Marathon & 5k

The inaugural Ground Effects Windsor Waterfront Half Marathon/5K is celebrating its inaugural event on September 14, 2025. This is a premier event designed to showcase Windsor as a top destination for big city races with spectacular views of the Detroit skyline, Ambassador Bridge, Gordie Howe Bridge and Windsor’s waterfront.  Our goal is to bring a big city, large-scale race to Windsor; something that will compete with the likes of the Detroit, and Toronto Marathon weekends.

The event starts in front of Caesars Windsor on Riverside Drive and will start runners heading east under the Hiram Walkers bridge where runners will then turn around and head back west under the Ambassador Bridge and into Historic Sandwich town, runners will then make a turn back for Festival Plaza on the waterfront for the photo finish! 

This course is a hidden gem for runners.  The course is flat, it doesn’t get flatter then this, so from a runners perspective, if they want to set a personal best, this course will do that and the City of Windsor has the amenities to support this type of event.  An estimated 100 streets will be closed off to drivers.

The event aims to promote and foster an active lifestyle, give back to the community through charitable donations and help to support local businesses.

The Ground Effects Windsor Waterfront Half Marathon/5K is supporting local charities Big Brothers Big Sisters Windsor Essex and Lupus of Ontario.

Registration is open, please visit Race Roster to sign up. 

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