Evangeline Link, a 14-year-old, has turned her Thanksgiving long weekends into a 100-kilometer journey to support at-risk youth, rather than the typical turkey dinner and pumpkin pie affair for many. Since she was just 10, Link has made it a tradition to raise funds for Covenant House, a youth charity in Toronto. Over the years, she has covered nearly 500 kilometers and raised over $60,000, completing her fifth and final walk for the charity this year.
After finishing her latest walk outside Roy Public House pub in Toronto’s east end, surrounded by cheering family and supporters, Link expressed her joy at feeling less sore than usual. She shared her experience of camping in a tent the night before and waking up relieved to have survived the night. Although she plans to halt her annual walks to focus on school as she enters Grade 11, Link remains committed to staying involved with Covenant House.
Link’s fundraising journey began in 2022 when she embarked on a 100-kilometer walk from her grandparents’ home in Binbrook, near Hamilton, back to Toronto. Motivated by her fourth-grade teacher’s charity bike ride, Link was determined to do something impactful and chose to walk instead. Despite initial skepticism from her parents, Ryan and Teresita Link, they were impressed by her dedication and supported her cause wholeheartedly.
Reflecting on her journey, Link acknowledged facing moments of doubt and fatigue but pushed through, driven by the thought that other children do not have the luxury of giving up when things get tough. By completing the 27 to 30 kilometers per day trek over the long weekend, Link raised over $65,000 in total, with $16,000 raised this year alone. Her efforts have been lauded by Covenant House Toronto’s event manager, Tara Defoe, who praised her exceptional determination and compassion.
The funds raised by Link will aid Covenant House in its mission to prevent youth homelessness and provide essential services and support. Defoe expressed confidence in Link’s ability to make a significant impact on the world in the future due to her unwavering strength and caring nature.