Name: Jeff Kerr

Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Carrying Torch: Winnipeg

Age: 51

Torchbearer #: OTR070-009 

Jeff Kerr has coached a football team of 35 kids for the past five years.  At the beginning of each season, Jeff is always impressed by how such a large group of individual players and coaches come together to form a team. Jeff believes that football is the ultimate team game because no one person can dominate the play so much as to single-handedly to win or lose a game.  Jeff teaches his players to work together and shows them how with each person doing their own job, the team can be successful. As coach, Jeff works to keep the kids active, engaged and having fun. 

Name: Denis Brodeur

Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Carrying Torch: Winnipeg

Age: 52

Torchbearer #: OTR070-014

As he approached his fortieth birthday, Denis Brodeur realized he wanted to help make the environment healthier for his children and his grandchildren. He started to educate himself on how regular citizens could make their home and land more sustainable. As a construction worker, he explained to his staff the benefits of re-claiming construction materials, especially some types of insulation, which are harmful in landfills. He started improving his own home, installing better insulation, newer windows, low flush toilets and a higher efficiency furnace. His family started to fill two recycling bins a week and this spring they bought a composter for waste and garden clippings. Next, his family purchased a rain barrel to reuse water for the garden and the yard. Brodeur believes that if every person were more environmentally conscious, they would serve as an example to their children. Canada, as a nation, would become more responsible as a result.

Name: Gene Gelmich

Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Carrying Torch: Brunkild

Age: 64

Torchbearer #: OTR070-041

Gene Gelmich is 64 years old and believes living actively is an important part of his life. As the father of one daughter, he participates in the Fathers day marathon in Winnipeg. He was inspired to by people running the marathon and began running when he was 40 years old. He ran his first half marathon when he was 49, and has been participating in marathons ever since. He is also an active fundraiser in support of the intellectually challenged. Gene has inspired his wife, Jeannette and several other relatives to become active in their lives.

Gene recently encountered a setback. He was diagnosed with RCC (renal cell carcinoma) and had an operation to remove a small tumour and part of one kidney. Gene is thankful for the love and support of his great family. He is now on the road to recovery and hopes to be running again soon.