Money from an annual cycling fundraiser for Ruth and Naomi’s Mission (RAN) will go to towards a new program to help vulnerable people on the streets of Chilliwack.
The seventh annual Ride For RAN is set for Saturday, Sept. 16 at Vedder Park and as of Sept. 6, nearly $40,000 had been raised.
“We are trying to launch an outreach program. We have a van ready to go and we need to get the operational funds behind it,” said Cheryl Giesbrecht, executive assistant with RAN.
They hope to bring in $100,000 from the event. All money raised will go towards buying supplies, and hiring staff to go out into the community and reach out to folks on the street not accessing services who might need help.
People who want to participate in Ride for RAN can choose from a family friendly trail ride along the Vedder River (approximately 20 kilometre) or join in a more competitive street ride up Chilliwack Lake Road.
The competitive ride is called Conquer the Climb and there’s an 80-kilometre route and a 40-kilometre ride.
So as to not encourage high downhill speeds during the competitive ride, the timed competition part of Conquer the Climb is only the uphill portion to the top of Chilliwack Lake Road, she said.
There are prizes for the fastest men’s and women’s cyclist in Conquer the Climb, plus the top three fundraisers.
In speaking about the new outreach program, Giesbrecht said it will start with two people, seven days a week, and will hopefully grow over the years to add more to the outreach team.
She said outreach workers are pretty special people – they do not make homeless people feel uncomfortable or ashamed with where they’re at in their life. They’re also resilient and are willing to go back to the person on the street when they’re turned away by them. The outreach team will introduce them to what’s available at RAN, and bring them into shelter if needed.
Trust is key in building relationships between the outreach workers and those on the street, she said.
“People aren’t going to be moving towards recovery if there’s not a trust in relationship… or if you are judging them.”
Giesbrecht admits their $100,000 goal is “lofty” but it would help propel the program forward.
“We’d be able to get some real momentum behind it. It is a big goal but we are hopeful and confident that the community will step up and really get behind this.”
After the event, there will be a party at Vedder Park with food trucks, vendors, live music and prizes around noon. Plus, a young couple who has gone through the program at RAN will share their story.
To register, go to ranmission.ca/events. People can sign up as an individual or create a team. Registration fees are $75 for adults, $40 for youth ages 17 and under, or a family registration (four or more people) is $200.
Giesbrecht added there has been “great community involvement” with this years event as sponsors have donated, money, gift cards and services.
Last year about $75,000 was raised and they had their highest participation numbers to date for both participants and volunteers.
The seventh annual Ride For RAN is Saturday, Sept. 16 at Vedder Park. The 80-kilometre Conquer the Climb leaves at 8 a.m. while the 40-kilometre route leaves at 9:30 a.m. The family trail ride leaves at 10 a.m.
For more, go to ranmission.ca/events.
