Over the past decade or so, I have been involved in a number of charity events and this year I have decided to take it to the next level by completing my first full marathon - not just any marathon, either, but the 2012 ING New York City Marathon.

As many of you know, New York holds a special place in my heart and I am excited to be traveling across all five boroughs. It has always been a joy and wonderful motivation for me to pair my running with a cause, knowing that each step I take is on behalf of others.

For this run, I have joined Team for Kids, a team of volunteers who raise funds for critical services provided by New York Road Runners Youth Programs. These programs combat childhood obesity and empower youth development via running and character-building programs in low-income schools and community centres in New York City, throughout the United States, and in Africa.

Your giving helps New York Road Runners Youth Programs to:

• Serve over 100,000 children in more than 400 schools and community centers with FREE programs.
• Reach children of all fitness levels and athleticism, with a heightened focus on reaching out-of-shape and overweight kids with little or no athletic experience.
• Prevent overweight or obese children from eventually suffering heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses that lead to health-care costs in excess of $100 billion

Food vendors (in partnership with www.fellowshipoffood.com) - Rock Lobster Food Co. (www.rocklobsterfood.com), Fidel Gastros (www.fidelgastros.ca) Neptuno Oysters (www.neptuno.ca), and North of Brooklyn (www.northofbrooklyn.com )

Cash bar - including Tromba Tequila, Hogtown Brewers

Performances - Sandra Amodeo Dance Studio and the fierce drag stylings of Cassandra Moore

Raffle prizes - a wine and cookbook basket courtesy of Christine Cooper, two AVON gift baskets, a handcrafted wooden jewelry box, preserves from Bumper Crop, a gift basket of fine foods from Vincenzo's, a mosaic by Patrizia Brasch, a painting by Thomas Faires, gift certificates from Lacoste shoe wear, jewelry from 3Shahs and Stella and Dot, a MasterBaker gift card for cupcake delivery, a Table 17 gift card, a Nota Bene gift card, a Harry Rosen gift card, a Longo's Markets gift card, a gift card for Alice Fazooli's/Reds/Far Niente/Loose Moose, copy of God Loves Hair by Vivek Shraya, 5-CD collection by Pamala Stanley, a CD from CBC's Over the Rainbow judge Thom Allison, a DVD of the incomporable female impersonator Christopher Peterson, tickets to Queen for a Day - a new Canadian musical with Alan Thicke, a night at an SPG hotel and more

Art sale - four Toronto prints from Deborah Kanfer, starting at $150 (www.deborahkanfer.com)

Auction - a week's stay in a Florida vacation home, courtesy of Fenworth Florida Home and Condo Rentals (www.floridastays.com - valued at $1,100); a 14k gold, 0.25c diamond ring, courtesy of Graziella Fine Jewellery (http://www.graziellafinejewellery.com/- valued at $950)

Dancing

Hope to see you there! If you are unable to attend, but would like to donate, please visit http://www.runwithtfk.org/Profile/PublicPage/9201

In gratitude

Cory Pagett

Transportation Options:

Pay parking lots - Parliament/Mill

TTC - 504 Streetcar, one stop east of Parliament

BIXI station on Trinity

Uber Car Toronto - for new users, quote KIKIFORTHEKIDS and save $10!