Charity Fundraiser Benefits Kids

Mar 14, 2008

Read how a successful corporate charity day means that disadvantaged kids get free bikes !

I'm fortunate to work for a company that really sees the 'big picture'. Not only do we work hard, we play hard too. Part of that "playing" is raising funds, and awareness, for charities. The latest escapade came in the form of a surprise (that means we were given zero notice) "The Apprentice" style charity event. Our company was split into two teams and each was given key tasks - elect a charity, a leader, a name for the team, and get to work - with directions delivered 'Donald Trump' style by our Company President, Gord Hotchkiss.

We were helped tremendously by the Kelowna Rockets, who gave us 20 free tickets for the play off games. Our team (Enquiro for Kids) set to work devising a way to maximize the hard cash we could generate for the charity of our choice, the BC Children's Hospital. We decided to package the tickets as a pair, plus three one hour golf lessons, all for $500. Other donations would be requested, but the catch was that these donations or pledges had to be received by 2:30 pm the same day. That was 4.5 hours away so the pressure was on big time!

Time time flew by as we used our personal and professional contacts to generate donations. Most of the cash came from the corporate deals but other personal donations topped up the pot to a staggering $6,292. The final figure meant $7,000 goes to the BC Children's Hospital. A very worthy cause indeed.

The other team (The Big Wheelers) chose the Kick Start "Bikes for Kids" program. This worthy cause delivers bikes, helmets and bike locks to needy and disadvantaged kids in the Kelowna area. The team raised $3,000 for the cause, which means that up to 30 bikes and gear works its way to needy kids.

Scott Isfan from Kick Start was just amazed. Prior to our call, his day was planned out to be a few quiet meetings and some paperwork. Then "BAM!" here we come!
I was lucky to meet with Scott later in the day, and his passion and enthusiasm for the charity work was just so obvious. What a great guy ! Scott was telling us how moms actually cry when their kids get given a free bike. "Nobody ever gives us anything for free" they say. Wow.....it kinda brings a lump to your throat, being able to contribute to that cause. As a mountain biker, I had to hold back a little bit when he told us that story. I was really touched. The big thing we as mountain bikers know, is that it's like teaching a man to fish. If you teach him to fish, he can feed himself forever. If you give a kid a bike, they have years of future fun and enjoyment.

A couple of huge thank-yous. Firstly to the Zachman, my work colleague and a Kelowna Kollective associate who got the contacts together for "Bikes for Kids" and made our contribution happen. Also to Pat and Ron at Kelowna Cycle who contributed two free kids' bikes and gear. What a generous move! And finally, to Enquiro Search Solutions, Gord, Bill, and to all the amazing people in the team who it was a pleasure to work with today, and every day. You're truly awesome !

More information about Kick Start here: http://www.kickstartkelowna.ca/kickstartkids.php

And if you can help Scott and his team, or you wish to make a donation (they need another $7k to hit their target - and they need new kids gear, new kids bikes, or cash donations) then please drop him a line at sisfan@kelowna.ca

You can also check out a short video piece from CHBC News here: http://www.chbcnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15709