Forget Me Not Knights
- Lucia Kwag
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
"Forget Me Not Knights" is a team led by Lucia Kwag from St. Thomas of Villanova College for 2025 Strides for Seniors.
What is "Strides for Seniors"?
UniversalCare Strides for Seniors is a charitable walk/run event that brings the community together in support of older adults. The 2025 edition took place on October 4th, 2025 at North Maple Regional Park in Vaughan, Ontario.
It’s family-friendly, meaning both serious runners and casual walkers — even families with kids — are welcome. There are two route options: a 5 km run and a 2.5 km walk.
Why It Matters - The Cause Behind Strides
The event is more than just a fitness outing: it’s a fundraiser. All proceeds (net funds) go toward CIBPA PLACE, which is York Region’s first non-profit residential respite dementia care centre.
CIBPA PLACE is designed to offer short-term residential care for people with dementia, giving caregivers a break while ensuring their loved ones continue to receive compassionate, high-quality care.
The centre will be run by Richview Manor and CHATS (Community & Home Assistance to Seniors), a non-profit that already provides community and home services to older adults in York Region.
Big Impact — What Strides for Seniors Has Achieved
In 2025, over 700 participants showed up for the event — a record for attendance.
That year, the event raised $2,017,000 (net). Over its five-year history, the Strides for Seniors initiative has raised a total of $5.6 million (net) for senior-oriented programs in York, Toronto, and Peel Regions.
On the teams/fundraising side, various companies and community groups form “teams” to raise money. Some of the top teams in 2025 included Masters Insurance|Financial, Clearway Cares, TLN Media Group, and more.
Then.. What did "Forget Me Not Knights" Achieve?
The journey of creating a school-based team for Strides for Seniors began with my job application. When I applied to work at Richview Manor, a senior home in Vaughan, Ontario, I had no idea it would lead to one of the most meaningful leadership experiences of my school life. Shortly after joining, the Life Enrichment Manager, Anna Walpole, approached me with an opportunity that combined community engagement, advocacy, and student leadership. She invited me to become a Student Event Committee member and Ambassador for both Richview Manor and the Strides for Seniors campaign.
What started as a simple role quickly grew into a collaborative mission. Through our weekly planning meetings, Anna encouraged me to bring the initiative into my school community. With her guidance — and the support of Ms. Antonetta Lio, Villanova College’s religion teacher — the idea of forming a school team began to take shape. Their mentorship and enthusiasm gave me the confidence to take the lead.
To get students involved, I created a post on our school’s Newsriver platform, inviting anyone interested in community service, leadership, or senior care to join. The response exceeded my expectations. Ten committed and enthusiastic students stepped forward, each eager to contribute their talents. Together, we formed the Forget Me Not Knights, a team dedicated to supporting dementia care and raising awareness within our school.
To stay organized, I divided the team into three main groups:
Social Media Group — responsible for creating posts, managing announcements, and promoting Strides for Seniors within the school community
Fundraising Group — in charge of planning and running fundraising events to help raise donations for seniors living with dementia
Arts Group — creators of posters, banners, and visual materials used at school and on our social media platforms
Each group played a vital role, and our teamwork quickly evolved into something powerful. One of our biggest efforts was hosting a bake sale at Richview Manor, where team members prepared homemade baked goods to sell to residents, staff, and families. Thanks to everyone’s dedication, we raised $477 — a milestone that motivated us even further.
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgetmenotknights/
Fundraising page: gofundme.com/f/2025-strides-for-seniors?lang=en_US
Reels for bake sale -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DOJsV5YD7iX/
As team captain, I held weekly meetings to ensure every member stayed involved, informed, and included. These meetings became a space for collaboration, brainstorming, and bonding. They were also a constant reminder that our work was making a real difference.
Finally, on October 4th, our months of preparation came together at the Strides for Seniors event. Our team proudly donated over $500, raised through our bake sale and event participation. More importantly, we shared a meaningful experience: walking alongside seniors, supporting them throughout the route, and even helping to push wheelchairs. It wasn’t just a fundraiser — it was a moment of connection, compassion, and community.
From a job application to forming a dedicated school team, the journey of the Forget Me Not Knights has shown me how young people can spark real, positive change. This experience strengthened our school community, uplifted seniors, and reminded us all of the power of kindness in action.
Extending Our Impact: Villanova College's Adopt-a-Senior Program
Beyond Strides for Seniors, Villanova College students — including members of the Forget Me Not Knights — also became deeply involved in Richview Manor’s Adopt-a-Senior Program. This initiative, created through collaboration between Richview Manor’s event managers and our school leaders, offered students a meaningful way to build long-term relationships with seniors while developing empathy, leadership, and service.
Each week, students visited the senior home to spend quality time with residents through a variety of engaging activities. We danced with them, participated in arts and crafts workshops, and helped with social programs that encouraged creativity, memory stimulation, and emotional connection. These weekly visits quickly became something we all looked forward to — not just for the seniors, but for us students as well.
For many of us, Adopt-a-Senior was not just volunteer work. It was an opportunity to bring joy, comfort, and companionship to individuals who truly appreciated our presence. It strengthened our understanding of service and reminded us that kindness, when offered consistently, can leave a lasting impact on both sides.
How you can get involved
Although 2025 Strides for Seniors ended, myself and Richview Manor is looking forward to 2026 Strides for Seniors. It will be helpful to donate money for seniors suffering with dementia care by using the link below or gain interest and visit official websites.
Fundraising page: gofundme.com/f/2025-strides-for-seniors?lang=en_US
Whether you’re an individual runner or a local business, promoting the event helps raise awareness about dementia care and senior support services.
Why Strides for Seniors Is Special
It’s not just a run — it’s a fundraiser for a very meaningful, community-centered cause (dementia care).
Community-driven: With over 700 people participating, it clearly resonates.
Sustainable impact: Funds raised go toward a real, ongoing need — building and maintaining a dedicated care facility.
Inclusive atmosphere: Because there’s a walk and a run, and family-friendly features, people of all fitness levels and ages can take part.
Partnerships matter: Groups like CHATS are using the funds for care-focused initiatives; this isn’t just a one-off “fun run.”
Conclusion
Looking back, the initiatives I led at Villanova College — from forming the Forget Me Not Knights to organizing fundraisers, coordinating weekly meetings, and partnering with Richview Manor — became far more meaningful than I ever expected. What began as a simple opportunity at a senior home grew into a school-wide movement rooted in compassion, leadership, and community involvement.
Through every step of the process — recruiting students, dividing roles, planning events, designing posters, promoting our cause, and hosting a bake sale — our team learned the power of teamwork and the impact young people can make when they come together for a purpose. The support of Richview Manor’s staff and Villanova’s teachers helped us turn our ideas into real contributions, not only financially, but emotionally and socially for the seniors we served.
Participating in Strides for Seniors on October 4th was the culmination of months of hard work, bringing us face-to-face with the individuals we were supporting. Walking and assisting seniors throughout the event reminded us that our efforts had a human story behind every dollar raised.
In the end, these initiatives taught me the true meaning of leadership: creating opportunities for others, uplifting voices, inspiring teamwork, and making our community a better place. The experiences and connections formed through this project will continue to shape how I approach service, responsibility, and the importance of caring for those who came before us.
Comment on this blog if you are interested in being part of 2026 Forget Me Not Knights team!!
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