testimonials
“I am a 32 year old sole support parent of three beautiful and uniquely gifted children, one of which has autism and struggles daily with routine tasks that most of us take for granted as ‘simple’. The hurdles we've had to face as a family have demanded most of my time, energy and finances.” - Places for People Tenant
“Despite being educated and employable; I have been struggling for years to get on my feet financially and provide all the things my children need [and] was facing financial ruin and homelessness just six short months ago.” - Places For People Tenant
“This program is NOT simply focused on housing the homeless, but it focuses on the person and their needs. Places for People takes a genuine interest in who we are and what is needed so that one day we can give back to the community.” - Places for People Tenant
“[Places for People] are building me up, as a person and parent. They are taking a genuine interest in who we are and what we need by investing in us. We will one day be able to become active and participating members of this community and with the gained skills and passion necessary, we will have the chance to re-invest ourselves back into this community that raised us up in the first place.” Places for People Tenant
The Highland Yard began in 1971 and has since developed into a community phenomenon that raises funds, awareness, and support for housing in Haliburton County.
HISTORY OF THE HIGHLAND YARD
1971 - As the story goes, two Onondaga Staff members were enjoying a day off at the Rockcliffe in Minden Ontario in 1971 and enjoying a burger and beer. One says to the other “I’ll bet you I can beat you in a race from the camp to the Rockcliffe.” Probably not the best bet after a meal and beverage, but they were young and history was made.
The story goes on to say that they both lost their burgers at the bridge. Probably not a pretty site.
We date the race from that day and for the first several years, the run was pretty much a Camp Onondaga sponsored event and was run every year by campers and staff.
1976 - The camp joined with Minden and began to offer the race to the public at a special summer community event. The 7.4k run was always on the Friday of the August long weekend and was quite a celebration with the finish line being near the Rockcliffe with beer being served. Todd Houston, a former Kilcoo camper and staff member recalls when he first ran the “Yard” as a camper (although he was too young to drink beer) - the whole camp was there as runners and staff participated to make it successful.
1998 - Todd Houston was recruited as one of the Timekeepers in 1998 and describes the time as organized chaos. Before the digital age, a lot of manual recording occurred for the runners to get their time. He says it would take a minimum of two hours to record everyone’s time - and thus allowing time to drink some beer waiting for the results.
2005 - The Investors Group became the major sponsor of the Highland Yard and Ontario Hydro played a secondary role - this infusion of funds enabled the Yard committee to transform Race Day into a more enjoyable experience for runners and their supporters.
2006 - Big changes to the route occurred in 2006 when the traditional run from Camp Onondaga to the Rockcliffe was discontinued and a 5K and 10K route that meandered through the streets of Minden was created. It was determined by the race committee that these changes would provide more options for the runners and that it might attract more interest among avid runners. The start line moved to just opposite the Village Green and hot dogs and raffle surprises were provided.
2009 - A shift in race distances appeared in 2009 when a 2K route was added. It was around 2009, when the Amici Foundation decided to hire a professional Event Planner to operate the race and the local committee of organizers under the leadership of Peter Oyler were no longer required. In spite of this major change, many of the committee members continued to assist this group with registration and timing.
2012 - Places for People along with the Minden Rotary Club became the proprietors of the Highland Yard when the Amici foundation decided to move their fundraising efforts to the Toronto area. A committee was struck consisting of several Rotarians, members of the Places For People board and community members. That year the route and the day of the run were changed from a Friday afternoon to a Sunday morning. Both the 5K and 10K were out and back runs, crossing the bridge and heading south on Deep Bay Rd. for the respective turn arounds. A 1K route was created along the river walk, across the footbridge and back to the Start/Finish Line.
2013 - Places for People became the sole proprietor of the Highland Yard, separating from the Minden Rotary in an amicable manner. Fundraising became an important initiative and funding applications were made to banks and corporations for sponsorship. Over the next several years successful initiatives occurred with TD, CIBC, BMO, Scotia Bank, and RBC providing financial support. In total, banks have given $12,000 to Places For People and the Highland Yard.
2015 - The route was changed in 2015 and the Start/Finish line was moved to the River Cone. Crossing the bridge proved to be a major obstacle for emergency vehicles and church going people on a Sunday morning. This move proved to be a positive change with minor disruptions to the route, which started and finished on Erd Street just by the River Cone. The 1K route was expanded to 2K and a good relationship was established with the River Cone owners allowing for as many as 1,000 participants and family/friends to invade their space.
2020 - COVID hit the world in 2020 and the Highland Yard became a virtual run and marketed as the Stay At Home Highland Yard. The logo was altered to have masks on the runners. The Virtual event went extremely well. Though our numbers dropped dramatically from roughly an average of 300 participants to 78, we raised more than $30,000 for Places For People. The next year, we were virtual again and marketed the event as The Still At Home Highland Yard with masks still on the runners. Our numbers decreased by two and the donations jumped to more than $35,000.
Through the years, the Highland Yard has been a hugely successful community event in Minden and contributed to raising awareness of and funds for housing needs in Haliburton County. Since 2012, the Highland Yard, including 2022, will have raised more than $200,000 for Places For People.
2023 - The Haliburton chapter of Rotaract took over organizing the Highland Yard on behalf of Places for People as the race returns in person at the Minden River Cone!