The new executive director at the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter is sharing the vision as he prepares to run across Alberta and Saskatchewan in August to raise money for the shelter.
“One of my big directives when I was hired is we need you to start looking for a new location,” says Kagan Kneen.
The new director loves marathons and felt they could create more exposure for the cause through running. In August, Kneen will run from Decoigne, Alberta to Wroxton, Saskatchewan to raise money for the Men’s Shelter. It’s some 1,300 kilometres.
Kneen has been training over the last four months covering about 20-60 kilometres each day. He’s in what he calls “the maintaining phase” in the last two weeks of July as he prepares for August 1.
The first goal is to raise some $300,000, but the end game could see about $750,000 going towards raising the capacity of the shelter from 28 to 60 beds, hence the need for a new location. Once that vision is realized, the old location can be re-purposed.
“The goal is to purchase a new location. 30 beds will be in a dorm for those who are sober, and another dorm with 30 beds for those who are active in their addiction. If we can get enough funding to get the new building, we would like to transition our existing shelter into a women’s shelter.”
Kneen plans to run 50-60 kilometres a day, then rest at night, and continue that schedule for some 20 days until about August 28. He plans on using five pairs of running shoes, so this is another item that can be sponsored.
“I’m going to be doing it in spurts. So, about 20-30 kilometres in the morning and another 20-30 kilometres in the afternoon.” He will take a three-hour break to focus on hydration and recovery time. His mother will drive the pilot vehicle and Kneen will be sleeping in a tent to identify with the experiences of someone who is unhoused.
Sponsors can contribute online, and a tax receipt will be issued in January. You can follow this journey on Instagram.
