Okotoks’ fast and the furious will race again.
Returning June 4 is the Rotary Club of Okotoks’ Soapbox Derby, converting Crystal Ridge Drive into a downhill racetrack for the day.
“It’s exciting we’re getting new people in, because what happens is you have the kids that go from eight to 14 and now we’re getting new faces,” said Trish Henderson, from the Rotary Club of Okotoks.
“We always aim for a hundred kids, that would be a perfect day and that’s what we’re hoping for this year.”
Funds raised through the event go back into the Rotary’s various youth programs, including two scholarships for students with a demonstrated financial need, as well as initiatives such as Percy Pegler School’s Full Cycle bike repair program and the Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp.
Putting together a soapbox racer and participating in 2021 created once-in-a-lifetime memories for single mom Melanie Weiss and her son Liam Braun, who had been going through tough personal struggles.
“We had been going through a lot in our lives up until that point, and it was a good outing for him,” Weiss said. “He needed that, he just needed to be a kid again with everything he’d been through on top of the pandemic. Just to be a child again.”
The 12-year-old won the fastest time in one of his heats, and the rush was exhilarating.
“It was fun, the wind blowing up in my face, and you can just feel the excitement going down the hill,” Braun said.
His mom was grateful for the helping hands that made it possible for the boy to race and the memories made.
“I asked if they had people who could sponsor us, because I’m a single mom who was going through a separation and had just lost everything,” Weiss said. “They asked if I wanted one that was already built or if I wanted to build one."
She jumped at the chance to work on a soapbox racer with her son and Rotarian Jeff Foss stepped up to cover the costs.
“I’m so blessed that they sponsored us, because I literally would have never been able to afford something like that,” Weiss said. “Just to have sponsors out there helping these families out, it makes such a world of difference and this is something we’ll never forget for the rest of our lives.”
It also strengthened her relationship with her brother who lent some handyman skills to the project, she added.
This year they hope to refine their existing soapbox racer to make it more aerodynamic.
“It was our first time last year, we didn’t really know much about it, so it’s cool you live and learn and make adjustments the next year,” Weiss said.
The experience is one Weiss hopes other single moms take a shot at, and she was grateful for the leg up Foss provided.
“I would really recommend for other single mothers, go out there and take a chance, because I didn’t think I could do it,” she said. “Get out there and make memories that aren’t everyday memories of our children."
The Rotary doesn’t want any child to be left out, Henderson added.
“Rotary will never turn any child away,” she said. “If someone wants to go in we’ll find you a sponsor.”
Registration costs $75. A prefabricated ready-to-assemble soapbox racer kit is also available for $125.
Henderson also suggested not waiting until last minute to sign up, even if racers already have their soapbox built.
For more information or to sign up, visit okotoksrotary.ca.
