For anyone out there who believes they cannot singlehandedly make a difference, I invite you to follow the journey of Lyle Povah and the Drum Run Adventure Tour! This is the work we are all being called to, opening our hearts and following our passions. Lyle is transforming lives, one step at a time and to know Lyle is to love Lyle, read on to find out why…
Power of a Dream
Lyle is a musician, yoga teacher, drum circle facilitator and marathon athlete. He has used his musical talents to help youth at BC Children’s Hospital for over 30 years. No one of those activities makes him particularly exceptional, even the combination doesn’t necessarily do so. What makes Lyle exceptional is his open heart, tremendous passion and the project he dreamed into reality. That project is the Drum Run Adventure Tour. He is running and drumming his way around BC to build community, raise awareness and support children.
Lyle is one of the most caring and passionate people I have met, and I am honoured to call him my friend. Three years ago he had a dream, a dream to make a difference in a big way, which involved tremendous personal commitment on so many levels. He has spent the last three years training, planning and organizing this monumental tour, and it is happening NOW. This tour combines the power of drumming with the spirit of long distance running as he runs across BC and hosts drum circles along the way, all part of his commitment to raise awareness and fundraise for BC Children’s Hospital.
Lighting the Way
Highway of Tears
Just the logistics of the tour are staggering, as he runs 1500 kms on four legs throughout BC and hosts drum circles in 25 cities along the way. But there is so much more to it than running and drumming; this dream has grown into a varied and committed volunteer team peaking at 35+ people from multiple countries who have secured 25 event venues, rented a motorhome, made arrangements to run along the highways, obtained charitable status, built a website, and so much more. The first person to engage in this dream with him was my sister, Laurie Bogner, and she has been a guiding light on this project for the duration. It has been no small feat for her to pull out all her business skills and manage the multitude of requirements stretched across many volunteers. She will be joining the on-tour team for both the Okanagan and Lower Mainland legs which are Oct 29-Nov 18. And while the on-tour team involves a minimum of four people, all the other volunteers continue to work in the background to support this incredible endeavor.
Passionate Involvement
I am also passionate about this tour and what it represents. So much so that I have become a Corporate Sponsor by purchasing all the T-shirts and hats for the volunteer team to wear on tour, as well as providing business cards and car signage. I have also jumped in to lend a helping hand and provide some project management consulting as needed. My most recent involvement is to write Lyle’s newsletter in his absence. Drum Run Adventure Tour is a registered charity and so far they have raised about $35,000. The dream is to raise enough to cover all tour costs and make a significant difference to the hospital.
Journey of Emotions
Lyle is currently running the “Highway of Tears” where he is not just running and drumming, he is also praying. He is hanging Prayer Ties every 5 km from Prince Rupert to Prince George, offering prayers and names of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The distance from Prince Rupert to Prince George is 718 km, so that translates into over 140 Prayer Ties. It has been a very emotional journey for Lyle as he holds these women and girls in his heart while he runs and then offering the Prayer Tie in their memory. Everyone on the on-tour team has been very moved by this ongoing act of love and honour.
Making a ‘Mighty Difference’
Facilitating a Drum Circle
While the physical reality of the tour is raising money and awareness for BC Children’s Hospital, it has been a journey of hearts on so many other levels. It is about making a difference, team work, community, cooperation, passion, commitment and LOVE. This tour is a perfect example of how we transform the world. This one man’s open heart and dream has touched so many lives already, and there are many more who will be touched as it continues.
I have attended a lot of drum circles over the years, none are quite as dynamic and fun as Lyle’s! There are still eleven more drum circles, check the Drum Run website to see if there is one in your area. If you have friends in any of the upcoming locations, do them a favor and let them know so they can attend.
How can you get involved in making a Mighty Difference to Lyle, the team and BC Children’s Hospital?
Spread the word, donate, attend a drum circle, run with Lyle, include them in your prayers,
send good wishes their way. No open-hearted act is too large or too small!
Learn more at DrumRun.org as well as these media and news links:
Charitable Impact Donation Link – https://my.charitableimpact.com/campaigns/drum-run-adventure-tour
Members of the Volunteer Team
Follow his adventure on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/drum.run.adventure.tour
Check what’s happening on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drumrun/
News Video – https://www.cftktv.com/video?clipId=2780400
Nanaimo News – https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/community/nanaimo-man-taking-turns-running-and-drumming-on-fundraiser-tour-4343199
Canada News – https://canada-info.ca/en/drumming-up-funds-for-bc-childrens-hospital-is-lyle-povahs-mission/
Terrace News – https://www.terracestandard.com/news/distance-runner-goes-extra-mile-for-b-c-childrens-hospital/
Interview in Courtney – https://open.spotify.com/episode/1c48ZvReROaTi11pabbEMV?si=c6c60e7cf5b649f3
On-tour update from David Pilz – https://youtu.be/J86VErhqVP4?feature=shared
