Airdrie residents can pull out their Halloween costumes a little earlier this year and take the kids out trick-or-treating at Nose Creek Park Oct. 13, while raising money to support four local causes at Airdrie’s fourth annual Unmask Mental Health walk/run. This year’s event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., features a superhero theme, according to organizer Mike Loughman – and participants are encouraged to come dressed up and ready for a full day of fun. “We’ve got all kinds of stuff going on,” he said. “We’ll have visits from Batman, Bane, Spiderman, Catwoman, Hulk and She-Hulk, and prizes in a bunch of different categories, best costume or fastest runners, with really cool stuff to give away.” Donated items will be up for grabs at a silent auction, Loughman added, and Airdrie’s Elements Dance Studio will be performing three contemporary choreographies around the themes of mental health, domestic violence and families in need over the holidays. “Obviously, mental health is affecting everybody,” said Loughman, who was diagnosed with several mental health illnesses in 2012 and created Airdrie’s Unmask Mental Health event a few years later. “I was six-months sober at the time, and I had a dream that I did this crazy kind of circus, a Halloween fundraiser. So, I put my positive thought into positive action, and came up with this.” Each year, the event supports the Canada-wide Defeat Depression campaign, but Loughman said he also tries to raise money for local charities through the walk, as well. This year, proceeds will go to the Airdrie Lioness Christmas Hamper program, Airdrie P.O.W.E.R and Airdrie and Area Health Co-operative. “I choose mental health because I was a drug addict and alcoholic for about 20 years – and when I finally got diagnosed…that kind of sparked me to try and get sober,” he said. “I was telling everyone I had problems, and no one would listen. Finally, I got in to see someone, started taking medication and got off drugs and alcohol.” On Oct. 10, Loughman said, he will celebrate four years of sobriety – and four years of dedication to raising money to support local, national and international mental health initiatives. Each year, he aims to raise $10,000 with Airdrie’s Unmask Mental Health, and despite historically poor weather, has either met his goal or come within $2,000. This year, he said, $10,000 has already been raised – and, with an anticipated donation of approximately $2,000 still to come from Sorso Coffee, Loughman has increased his goal to $13,000. He’s also anticipating higher attendance numbers. “I’ve had a lot more support from schools, local businesses and Facebook groups – there’s a lot of people coming together to help out this year,” he said. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work to make it successful, and this year, I actually formed a committee.” After organizing the event on his own for the past three years, Loughman said, he assembled a team of volunteers who are working with him to ensure it continues to run without a hitch. But no matter how many hands are on deck, one thing Loughman said he can’t control is the weather. “The first year, it was 17 C with not a cloud in the sky – and the last two years, it was freezing cold. I really think weather was a factor [in lower attendance numbers],” he said. “But we’re hoping for another nice day, this year. We’ll have the kids go around the pond in their costumes, while businesses will be handing out candy. It’s really fun for them.” Loughman also has a personal reason for hoping the event continues to grow each year – his own goal is to raise a grand total of $100,000 by the time he’s 10-years sober. Currently, he said, his total sits at about $50,000, and he’s just reaching his four-year mark this month. “I’m ahead of the game,” he said. “I’m just going to keep raising money whenever I can.” Click here to find out more about the event, register for the walk or make a donation.
