A Place Called Home (APCH) in Lindsay is starting to get the wheels in motion for its cycling tour fundraiser this summer.
The organization, which provides support for people experiencing homelessness in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton, has announced registration is now open for the 21st annual Kawartha Lakes Classic Cycling Tour.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, August 24th at the Salvation Army Lindsay Community Church, located at 51 Eglington St. in Lindsay. Featuring 50, 100, and 160 kilometre road routes and 20 and 40 kilometre trail routes, the Kawartha Lakes Classic Cycling Tour attracts cyclists of all skill levels from throughout Ontario.
The annual tour is APCH’s largest fundraiser of the year, said Jennifer Lopinski, fund development co-ordinator for the agency.
“APCH needs to raise a minimum of $150,000 to keep our operations running smoothly to ensure that immediate support for those experiencing homelessness is there when they need it,” Lopinski told kawarthaNOW.
“With the rising cost of inflation, coupled with increased operating costs due to our much larger shelter, our need for increased donations could not be higher. Demand for our shelter and outreach services continues to increase as more vulnerable people struggle to stay housed.”
VIDEO: Kawartha Lakes Cycling Tour
Volunteers from the Kawartha Cycling Club donate countless hours to help plan the Kawartha Lakes Classic Cycling Tour every year, with all proceeds going to APCH to support those experiencing homelessness in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County.
Boston Pizza is the title sponsor for this year’s event and will be providing a lunch for all event participants.
With registration now being open, APCH encourages cyclists to take advantage of the staggered early-bird rates. From now until April 30, it costs $70 to register as an individual or team member. That rate will increase to $80 on May 1, $100 on July 1, and $120 on event day. The flat rate for youth registration is $15, and families with one to two adults may bring up to four youth for a flat rate of $100.
Those interested in joining a team to fundraise for APCH can qualify to receive a free Biemme event jersey. To be eligible for a free jersey for each team member, teams must fundraise a minimum of 200 times the number of team members. For example, a team of four would need to raise $800 for each team member to receive a free Biemme event jersey. Individuals who raise or donate $200 or more qualify for a free Biemme event jersey too, APCH noted.
“The very best thing that could happen, outside of perfect cycling weather on August 24, would be to see more individuals, families, youth, and teams come out for a day of fun and take advantage of our free Biemme event jersey offer by fundraising or donating a minimum of $200 so they we can continue to support the increased numbers of people experiencing homelessness in our community,” Lopinski said.
To learn more about the Kawartha Lakes Classic Cycling Tour and to register, visit the event website at kawarthaclassic.com. Those interested in becoming a sponsor for the event can contact Lopinski by calling 705-878-6817 or emailing jennifer@apch.ca.
Since 1995, APCH has supported homeless men, women, and families with children in the City of Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton. The registered charitable organization helps people who find themselves homeless to get back on their feet so they are able to move forward and settle into a stable residence.
According to APCH, it also continues to help its previous clients through ongoing communication and by providing support to prevent situations that could put them at risk of becoming homeless again. APCH also helps those at risk of becoming homeless to keep their homes.
For more information about APCH, visit www.apch.ca.
