When flames raged through Slave Lake earlier this year, they destroyed many things; but one thing that endured was the community’s spirit.
One Slave Lake resident, Cleo Carifelle, has demonstrated that by challenging herself to a 350 kilometre run, stopping in seven communities that came to her hometown’s aid.
The communities on her route included High Prairie, Grand Prairie, Edmonton, Westlock, Athabasca, Wabasca and Smith. She made her stop in Athabasca last Wednesday, arriving at the Multiplex right on time at 5 p.m., and there she found a group of community members waiting to greet her with signs of support and applause.
“It’s the first time we’ve had signs to welcome us,” she said.
Carifelle brought with her a banner covered in the signatures of Slave Lake residents, all expressing gratitude for Athabasca’s part in helping them earlier this year. Similar banners were presented in the other communities the runner stopped in.
She was on the tail end of her journey by the time she got to Athabasca, and was scheduled to make it back to Slave Lake sometime on the weekend. Fatigue may have been setting in by the time she arrived at the Multiplex, but she wasn’t showing it.
“I’m powering through,” she said.
Carifelle hoped that the banners, and her run to the different towns, would paint a clear picture of the gratitude felt in Slave Lake towards its neighbouring communities.
“Hopefully this gets across how much we appreciate it. We’ll be in your debt forever,” she said.
