ASSINIBOIA — There are people who talk the talk and there are those who walk the walk. Assiniboia’s Gayland Panko is one such individual, as he recently undertook a remarkable challenge to raise money and awareness for survivors of domestic violence. A full-on 100 km trek through the Cambodian jungle, Panko endured +35 C heat, rivers, mud, mountains and jungle.
Funds raised on this powerful trek will be seen both locally and nationally by organizations that work collaboratively to help survivors of domestic violence and programs to help prevent domestic violence.
“I have participated in fundraisers and community events before, but nothing quite like this,” says Panko.
The Panko Commercial Farm and Ranch realtor said he heard about past treks from other agents at Royal LePage.
“I love exploring and adventure. I actually applied for the last trek two years ago in Ecuador but didn’t get selected as spots were limited. One of the trek organizers noticed how much I donate each year and remembered my application, so she reached out personally when this Cambodia trek came up. I'm glad she did.”
Panko participated in the event Oct. 28–Nov. 3 and was able to raise $10,670 himself, but as part of a group across Canada, collectively $1.6 million was raised for the cause.
Panko said he was part of 120 Royal LePage agents from across Canada who participated.
“Eighty per cent of the funds I raised go to the Moose Jaw Transition House, and 20% go to national programs to prevent domestic violence,” adds Panko.
The cause is important to this Assiniboia man as he acknowledges, “I’ve got three daughters and a wife, and I’ve heard too many heartbreaking stories over the years. These women and kids didn’t hurt themselves — someone else hurt them. They deserve a safe place to escape. Our system spends a ton of money on people that self destructed… but not enough on the innocent ones caught in the crossfire.”
Panko states that on the trek they read letters from survivors that helped power them through their conditions. As these survivors’ stories of resilience were shared, participants knew they had to keep going.
“On this trek we actually read letters from victims of domestic violence that were written to the Shelter Foundation after our lunch meal each day. The person reading would often break down crying from the content. I volunteered to read a letter one day and it was from the mother of a murdered daughter whose killer then committed suicide with the children left alone in the house. It was jaw dropping horrible and not something I was prepared for. As it turned out this mother was also a Royal LePage Realtor. These letters were a sobering reminder of why we were there and not something I will ever forget.”
To participate, trekkers pay their own travel and costs and were required to raise a minimum of $6,000.
On the Royal LePage blog, Phil Soper, president and CEO, made a profound statement: “This wasn’t just a trek. It was a statement: we walk so others have a path toward safety and new beginnings.”
Participants in this trek, like Assiniboia’s Gayland Panko, created new friendships and strengthened bonds, as doing something difficult together has a magical way of bringing people from all walks of life together and making deep, meaningful connections.
Trekkers experienced majestic views that included dazzling green rice paddies, small villages, sleeping at beautiful temples, venturing through thick jungle and marvelling at the Kulen waterfall.
You can read more and see photos of the group on the event blog.
