Rocket Power: Don’t Drop the Pineapple, for Charity
By Erica, Contributor, HockeyPub.com
Rocket Power is an initiative pioneered by Rocket Sports Media designed to mobilize hockey fans to support charitable organizations and to get involved in their communities. We are proud to help raise awareness with a series of continuing features intended to spotlight members of the hockey community who are making a difference.
MONTREAL, QC. — Erin Steinberg is a 28-year-old Canadiens fan who lives in Montreal. For the second year in a row, she’ll be taking part in the Pineapple Challenge, a 5K race and obstacle course benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada. But it’s not your average race – in addition to running and going through obstacles, each team of participants is given a pineapple. And they can’t, at any point during the race, drop the pineapple. I recently interviewed Erin about her participation in this fun, original fundraiser.
Erin (right) and her teammate Alana at last year’s race.
Tell us a bit about the event.
The Pineapple Challenge takes place Saturday, May 4th, 2012 at Esplanade Financière Sun Life near the Olympic Stadium. It’s all about having fun while giving back!
There’s a 5km obstacle course. Each team member will be dressed up in a silly costume and as a team we’ll have to finish the course without dropping a pineapple. The race is then followed by music, lots of food and drinks and an epic luau party. This year, my team and I will be wearing yellow to match our pineapple. We’ll just have to see how other teams are dressed up!
What is it raising money for?
Funds raised through the Pineapple Challenge support research, patient services, and education in our endless fight to find a cure for blood cancers. All dollars raised for this event support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s (LLSC) vital mission: find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
Is this your first time taking part?
I participated in this wonderful event last year with my friend Alana. We had a great time, and we added a few members to our team this year.
One of the obstacles from last year’s race.
How did you choose the Pineapple Challenge over other fundraisers?
It was a fun new event and my friend and I thought it would be really cool to participate. I had walked in the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers for 2 years and took a year off and wanted to participate in something again. Not only are the funds going to an amazing cause, but it’s also a great event and you have a blast. I mean, where else can I dress up in a goofy costume and do an obstacle course while holding a pineapple?
Do you have a fundraising goal?
I didn’t really set a specific goal for myself this year. My current goal is $450.00, which I just reached thanks to my mother, but I’d like to increase it by another $100.00. I would just like to raise as much money as I can.
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