LITTLE CURRENT—Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes for people who normally would find safe, decent accommodation out of reach. This summer, 27 cyclists and 10 support crew members chose Little Current as the site from which to begin a two-week (800 km of cycling and 5,000 km of travel) journey to Niagara Falls as part of this year’s Cycle of Hope cycling fundraiser. The group spent the night camping in the Northeast Town recreation centre and were treated to an evening barbecue dinner at Little Current United Church.
The Cycle of Hope team travelled by motor coach from Winnipeg to Little Current, where the cyclists started their ride to Niagara Falls, crossing Manitoulin Island to South Baymouth where they boarded the Chi-Cheemaun ferry to Tobermory, cycling through the scenic lakeside communities along the shores of Lake Huron before turning east along the shores of Lake Erie. The final day of the ride will see the group rewarded with visits to the wineries of the Niagara-on-the-Lake region before concluding at Niagara Falls.
“So far cyclists have raised over $100,000 and we appreciate everyone who has supported the event so far. This is an incredible event because of the exceptional commitment and dedication of the Cycle of Hope committee members, support crew and riders,” said Habitat Manitoba CEO Sandy Hopkins. “These riders directly help Habitat Partner Families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership which has a lasting impact in the community for years to come.”
Habitat Signature Events manager Brett Bourne noted that each rider was responsible to elicit pledges in order to qualify for the ride and expressed gratitude to both the Municipality of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands and Little Current United Church for their hospitality. “If it were not for the contributions of community groups, churches and service groups who have welcomed Cycle of Hope with open arms we would not have raised more than $130,000 to support Habitat for Humanity,” he said. “Their support helps to keep expenses low by providing shelter and a warm meal for the team, which translates into more funds raised to support families in need.”
Wes and Joyce Thiessen are a couple who have joined the ride together. Mr. Thiessen is the CFO of a software company and Ms. Thiessen is a retired nurse.
“I love cycling and raising money for charity,” said Mr. Thiessen, noting that Cycle for Hope provides the best of both worlds. This is his second Cycle for Hope ride. “It is a great opportunity to hang out with some really great people,” he added.
“I really enjoy the scenery of the North,” said Ms. Thiessen. “Wes did it last year and we had the time to invest in a cycling holiday.” The couple’s two children are adults now and they now have the time and freedom to both take part.
John Loewen has been involved with Habitat since 1995 when he and 50 cyclists made their way during the second year of Habitat for Humanity to take part in the Jimmy Carter Project. The former US president is a major supporter of Habitat for Humanity, just one of the ‘98 Reasons to Thank Jimmy Carter’ featured in author Art Milne’s book recently featured as part of the Kagawong Speaker’s Night series at the Park Centre.
Mr. Loewen is a member of The C.P. Loewen Family Foundation, which was founded as a private foundation in 1973 by the late C.P. (Cornie) Loewen, the entrepreneurial founder of Loewen Windows. The foundation’s website notes its funding priorities are “a reflection of the shared interests of the foundation’s current directors. Through its work, and the organizations, it funds, the foundation seeks to reflect the values of quality, respect, patience and hard work.”
“At Habitat, we know that when families own their homes, they have ownership over their futures,” noted Mr. Bourne. “We also know that communities thrive when families have access to affordable homeownership, meaning supporter dollars make a lasting, compounding impact.”
This isn’t simple charity, however, as each Habitat family is required to complete 500 hours of “sweat equity” before they purchase the home. Those family purchases are made at fair market value with mortgage terms of no down payment, no interest for 15 years and their mortgage is 27 percent of the family’s gross annual income. Mortgage payments made by the family are then put back into the program to support future build projects.
Habitat Manitoba’s 2023 Cycle of Hope home being built is for Getachew and Rahel and their three children.
This year marks the 29th year for Cycle of Hope, which was launched after former president Carter and his wife Rosalynn came to Canada for their first visit, getting an immense start in building 18 homes in Winnipeg in 1993.
Two Habitat for Humanity volunteers, Olenka Antymniuk and Lorraine Petkau looked at each other and said, “We can do this too!” and began planning a ride for the following year.
Every year since 1994, the event has travelled all over North America to raise money for a Habitat for Humanity home. To date, they have raised over $3.5 million.
