Ride helps local charities address growing needs

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

For those continuously searching for ways to remain active, why not do so for a good cause?

On Oct. 1, the Ride for Refuge runs through Oshawa and throughout North America in support of local charities and non-profit organizations.

Oshawa’s Gate 3:16, a local drop-in centre that has been serving the city’s homeless and needy for nearly 30 years, is hoping that this, their fourth year running the event, will be its most successful.

In previous years, the ride, which includes five-kilometre walks, as well as 25- and 50-kilometre bicycle routes throughout Durham, has raised approximately $9,000 each year for the Gate. In its most successful year, the Gate received almost $11,000 in fundraising donations.

For executive director Betty Mann, she hopes this year will top that high point as the organization needs the help now more than ever.

“The need doesn’t stop, it’s growing,” she says.

The fundraising dollars go a long way to support the organization’s budget, as well as continuing with basic operations, which includes feeding more than 130 people a day.

The Gate also offers counselling services, transportation assistance, laundry facilities and many other services that assist people with achieving their basic needs.

“We deal with a lot of different issues,” Mann says. “Depending on what their circumstances.”

The need for their services has grown so much that Mann says the Gate is looking to find a new location within the city, but the dollars associated with that are holding them back.

“We’re always kind of thinking in that direction,” she says. “If we do move, even if we lease a building, there’s always renovations involved because of the type of facilities we need.”

To date, teams already registered in support of Gate 3:16 have raised almost $5,000.

The Oshawa event is only one of 16 events across Ontario and the nearly 30 taking place across Canada. Rides also take place across the United States. Since 2004, the annual event has helped more than 350 charities raise upwards of $10 million.

For more details, to register for the event, or to volunteer, visit rideforrefuge.org or contact Gate 3:16 at (905) 432-5316.