Supporting families who have lost loved ones
Fundraiser for Lighthouse for Grieving Children got cyclists in a spin to raise money
I look around the huge velodrome and take a deep breath — what an inspiration. I feel proud, grateful and am emotional to be part of something this big.
A crowd of people wearing orange and black Power of 10 sponsored cycling jerseys or themed team costumes are chatting excitedly, getting ready to ride their hearts out.
This is the inaugural Power of 10 fundraiser for the Lighthouse for Grieving Children. On Oct. 14, about 250 people came out to support the event at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, a training centre for Olympians and world champions. Lighthouse is an Oakville organization that provides an open door and healing support for children, teens and families who have experienced the death of a close family member.
Nineteen teams of cyclists with up to 10 people per team ride stationary bikes for 100 minutes, 10 minutes each. I am an avid cyclist but today, I am an organizer. And watching all the action leaves me breathless. There are intense riders who warmed up and want to get the farthest distance and highest wattage, novice riders who don’t know what to expect and experienced riders who are surprised at how hard a 10minute sprint can be.
The loud, pumping music makes everyone dance as they fanned the riders to cool them down. The cheering, laughing and motivational talk is everywhere throughout the ride. We play a touching video explaining the Lighthouse organization. It captures the reason I am here to support it.
In 2004, my sister-in-law lost her life in a tragic house fire, leaving behind her husband and three grown boys. I wasn’t introduced to the Lighthouse until two years later, at a fundraiser for my kids’ school.
My nephews were adults at the time of her death, but I was inspired by the Lighthouse. I thought how unique and helpful this would be to so many families and that it was sad that the need was high and growing.
I made my first donation at Christmas 2006, in memory of my sisterin-law. Since then, I have made a donation to this charity as a Christmas gift to my nephews and as a way of keeping their mom’s memory alive.
I have participated in various fundraisers for Lighthouse over the years. I supported this charity because it is local and because I have seen how it has helped families. Their commitment to caring is really special and genuine.
This year, when friend and fellow cyclist Rachel Williams came up with the Power of 10 fundraiser, and pulled together a group of committed, dedicated, strong, fun and passionate women, I jumped at the chance to be among them.
Williams wanted to bring a community together, knowing that almost anything is possible with a group of like-minded people. This was achieved on the bikes as the teams rode together and cheered each other.
We created great mileage, which is what Lighthouse does.
The goal was to ride 1,000 kilometres as a community and we surpassed that target, hitting 1,090 kilometres.
We introduced the Tree of Hope. At the start of the evening it was bare, just as it would be in the dark days of winter.
By the end of the night, it was in full bloom, like spring, with dozens of leaves and butterflies. Sales of the leaves and butterflies helped raise funds for the Lighthouse to purchase toys and books and help support families, as all services are provided free of charge.
In total, the Power of10 event raised more than $35,000 for Lighthouse.
In the coming months, Lighthouse will move from a tiny house to a new permanent home in Bronte and will offer hope and encouragement to grieving children, youth and their families in Halton, Peel and beyond.
Our fundraiser will help it reach its goal in becoming a grief training and resource centre for these communities. Lighthouse expects its numbers to double to 400 children by 2018.
The bigger facility means it can handle more groups.
When families are at their most vulnerable, Lighthouse is there for them, filled with love, support and hope. It is not a sad place and it’s not just about endings, but it is also about beginnings.
The journey continues. Plans for Power of 10 2017 are underway and the Lighthouse for Grieving Children will once again be the benefactor. For more information on the Lighthouse visit grievingchildrenlighthouse.org and Power of 10 at powerof10.ca.