Riders from across Manitoba participated in the First Annual Ride for Providence on Aug. 21.
Thirty-five motorcycle riders hit the road across Southern Manitoba on Sat., Aug. 21, in support of Providence College and Seminary. The First Annual Ride for Providence gathered together motorcycle enthusiasts from five start locations throughout Manitoba to raise money for the scholarship and bursary fund.
“We had riders from Virden, Portage, Morris, Morden, Otterburne, Elm Creek, Winnipeg, Grunthal, Landmark and Steinbach to name a few,” said vice-president for development and ride coordinator, Margaret Schonewille. “The riders enjoyed the ride so much that they asked to ride an extra hour.”
Providence board member Peter Falk, former Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., participated in the ride and commented, “I got to see parts of Manitoba that I had never visited before.”
The town of Carman, MB, hosted the riders for lunch at the Carman Active Living Centre, with a volunteer group from the Canadian Reformed Church of Carman West helping with prep and cleanup. The riders were treated to a tour of the town courtesy of an RCMP escort. The day finished off with a complimentary steak dinner back at the Providence campus in Otterburne, MB.
“Supper time was a time to get to know each other and where everyone was from,” said Schonewille. “Then came the prizes! One of our riders even tried his hand at auctioneering.” The grand prize, a private three-day cruise on Lake of the Woods, was awarded to Burt Loewen, retired owner of Steinbach Furniture, for the highest fundraising total. The event raised approximately $8,000 toward bursaries for Providence students who are from the home province or state of the rider.
“I think it was a great ride, and we will definitely do it again,” said Schonewille.
