Over 20 years of tulipathon

by guest blogger, omar tareen

Tulipathon is held each year at Dow's Lake by MHI, and is one of the signature fundraising events for the organization, totaling over $100,00 each year for tenant subsidies. What is so amazing are the different groups, organizations, families, and individuals that come together each year, united in their efforts, to raise money for affordable housing for those who need it most. The history of the Tulipathon is a very personal story for the Tareen family which started more than 25 years ago.

My father, the late Dr. Farook Tareen, wanted to create a sustainable way to raise awareness and funds for the various charities that he supported. He was also a very physically active person, who played tennis, cross country skied, biked, and walked. He wanted to blend his two passions of exercise and giving back to his community. With a few close friends, he started the Tulipathon walk, even designing the logo.

The first ever walk could not have gone any worse!  It was a cold, rainy spring day. The wind was relentless, blowing hats of heads, and forcing people to lean into the breeze. The rain was frigid! Not only that, but Dr. Tareen was only able to get a handful of his closest friends to show up, and he did not raise very much money. Most of the donation that year was from his own pocket.  

But he did not give up!  He kept running the event, pledging to walk the Ottawa Canal around Dow's Lake each year to raise more awareness and more money. His close friends were steadfast, and walked with him every year, and each year, the number of participants grew.  Many of these friends are still avid Tulipathon supporters!   

Today, Tulipathon has hundreds of participants supported by so many wonderful people of various faith, cultures, and backgrounds. The Tulipathon Walkathon Campaign was donated by Dr. Tareen to MHI, one of his favourite charities. MHI is doing a fabulous job to continue this wonderful legacy and has taken it to the next level!  

The Tareen family is honoured to be a part of the MHI, and this vibrant, positive, amazing group of people. We are so happy and impressed to see what they have done with the Tulipathon Walkathon.  Dr. Tareen would be so proud of the legacy that he left behind!

With sincere thanks,
Nazira Tareen, wife of the late Dr. Tareen, 
Omar Tareen, son of Dr. Farook & Nazira Tareen,
Sam and India Tareen, grandchildren of ​Dr. Farook & Nazira Tareen.

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Nazira Tareen and her grandchildren at Tulipathon about 10 years ago.