It was a poignant moment.
A special thank you went out the Terry Fox family from Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz in council chambers Tuesday.
Terry's dad, Rolly Fox. was in attendance in chambers, along with local Terry Fox Run organizer Margaret Kostrzewa, to warmly welcome council members to join the run on Sept. 18.
"This is what one family can do," Gaetz said recognizing the $550 million raised over the years by the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer research.
She called the family's gift "inconceivable" in its scope.
"It all started with Terry Fox, and everyone should be heartened by what he did."
Gaetz also acknowledged how tough a year it's been for the family, with the recent passing of Terry's mother, Betty Fox, earlier this summer and presented a book of condolences written by citizens and collected at city hall.
Rolly Fox was stepping up into the role that Betty usually played, in promoting the run at city hall.
"We're so thankful you made Chilliwack your home," Gaetz said to him.
"Betty and I always wanted to live in Chilliwack," Fox said.
They made the move in 2003, and relocated the foundation headquarters here.
"What an amazing family and what an amazing legacy Terry and Betty have left," said Gaetz.
It's always a well-attended charity run.
"I want to encourage everyone in the community to come on out and support it," said the mayor.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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