Putting Learning Into Action

The past two years, House of Friendship has been fortunate to have students from the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy help build capacity for the Trek 4 Kids hike & bike fundraising event.  As part of their involvement the group chooses a name, “PharmaFriends” this year, and provides event support at Trek. 

This year, students took it one step further.  Inspired by Martin Buhr, the PharmaFriends became Trek Champions.  One of the group, Lisa, agreed to complete the Trek trail on behalf of the group, while the rest of the group agreed to fundraise in support of Lisa’s Trek.  They set a goal of raising enough funds to send one child to camp ($500). 

Given their study load, this goal was no easy task.  But they were ready, willing and able…and creative…one of the students enjoys baking.  Coleen baked up a storm of brownies and cupcakes that the group quickly sold to fellow students.  This is one example of how the PharmaFriends raised pledges.

Given their determination and spirit, it’s no wonder that the PharmaFriends reached their goal. Yup, they sponsored a child to camp!  How amazing is that?!

Lisa, getting a well-served hug from fellow PharmaFriend, Victor

 

As for Lisa’s Trek, I’ll let her tell you how that went….

Well the day finally arrived!  After months of training in anticipation for Trek, I can’t believe it’s already over.   As a pharmacy student at the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy, I was introduced to House of Friendship a few months ago as part of my community service learning project.  Myself, as well as my other group members, were involved in the organization and fundraising aspect of Trek 4 Kids.  On the day of the event my team members were on course handing out refreshments and snacks while I ran the full 23km loop!  I am sure we can all agree that the weather was anything but cooperative, but I was still amazed at how many people came out to support such a great cause.  I don’t think I heard one complaint that day but rather saw many smiling faces right from the beginning of our warm-up to the very end when I crossed the finish line.  It was definitely an encouraging atmosphere and helped give me the motivation I needed right before the run!  Being a participant in Trek 4 Kids for the first time was an amazing experience and I will definitely be back again next year!  It was very inspirational to see how dedicated people are behind the scenes supporting such a great cause.  I was always fortunate enough as a kid to go to camp each summer and I know how important the experience was to me.  It feels great knowing that through all of our combined efforts many children will now have that same opportunity!  Hope to see everyone again next year!

Thank you Lisa, and to all of the PharmaFriends, for your work planning the event, your work on the trails at the event, and most of all, for helping send kids to camp.  Now, enjoy the rest of the summer.

 

Biking the talk

What makes a Trek Champion?  The simplest way to answer this question is to tell you about Martin Buhr.  Some of you may know Martin as a past Executive Director of House of Friendship.  But he’s also a father, grandpa and someone who is very passionate about our community, especially children, poverty and affordable housing.  He also walks the talk, or more accurately, he bikes the talk.

The dynamic Trek duo of Martin Buhr, right, and John Neufeld

You see, Martin readily picked up where the Martin brothers, Eric and Martin, left off when they inspired the first Trek 4 Kids with their hike of the Bruce Trail in 2005.  Since then, each year, Martin has spear-headed efforts to send kids to camp, and has inspired us all with his passion, commitment and drive.   It was Martin who pioneered the Trek Champion model that has engaged so many enthusiastic participants in the past couple of years.

It all started when Martin had the idea of biking on behalf of his church (Stirling Mennonite); he figured not everyone would be able to go to Trek and given the numerous events and activities that churches are involved in, it might be easier for churches to support Trek if they could designate a Trekker and then support that Trekker through pledges from the congregation.  He thought by using this approach, he could raise enough pledges to send at least one child to camp.  And he was right, and then some.

This year, Martin and his promotional and fundraising sidekick, John Neufeld (the current Executive Director at House of Friendship) raised over $12,000 in pledges!!  Yup, that’s 24 kids living in low-income homes going to camp.  In addition, about 15 local churches have Trek Champions, and other people are getting into the act too – trekking on behalf of their family, workplace, etc., each pledging to raise enough funds to send at least one child to camp.

The Trek Champion Team from Steinmann Mennonite Church led by the Roth family

 

Team Blue Crew representing our friends at Waterloo Region Police Services

How does Martin raise so many pledges?  Well, it’s really quite simple.  He and John canvass their church, and this year, thanks to technology, they were able to ask a whole lot more friends via email.  Basically, Martin asks everyone he knows, and believe me, he’s really hard to say No to, and why would you want to?  You gotta love a guy who spends months helping plan Trek 4 Kids, canvassing for donations, and then bikes 23 km in the rain, finishing with a smile on his face.  Did I mention Martin is in his seventies?!

Trek Champion Martin Buhr crossing the finish line

 He’s even made Trek 4 Kids a family tradition, biking with his children and grandchildren, some of who know first hand how camp can be a great opportunity for kids.

 

Keeping it in the family - Team Buhr

 

It probably won’t surprise you to hear that Martin is already thinking about Trek 4 Kids 2012 next May.  No doubt, he and John will be back, and back in a big way.  So if you happen to run into Martin or hear from him next Spring, have your Trek pledge ready, or better yet, join him on the trails and become a Trek Champion yourself.

 

Thanks Martin, for biking the talk and leading the way.  Happy Trails!

 

 

Splish, splash, it’s off to camp we go!

What’s a little rain amongst friends?  Apparently, not a lot when you’re coming together for a good cause.  Over 125 trekkers of all ages and abilities came out in the pouring rain to run, walk and bike, and yes, splish and splash too, at the 6th annual Trek 4 Kids hike & bike.

 

Drumming up some sunshine

Upon their arrival, trekkers were greeted with the sunny sounds of steel drum music courtesy of “Carol Taylor & Friends”.  After grabbing some hot chocolate, trekkers were put through their warm-up paces by Michael, HOF Chaplaincy Director, who himself ran the full 23 km Trek trail on behalf of HOF’s Leadership Team, sending at least one child to camp.  Then it was off to the races.

 

Original Trekker, Eric Martin leading the way

Cyclists first; at the wave of a flag by Eric Martin, they were off!  Next, were the small, but mighty group of intrepid runners.  

 

Getting ready to run

And last, but not least, were a crowd of walkers, including yours truly, who hiked the soggy 5 km.

 

Rain, rain, go away!

Amidst the puddles and the umbrellas were lots of smiles as people celebrated sending children, from families living on low income, to summer camp. 

By the end of the afternoon, over $35,000 was raised, sending 70 kids to camp!  Hats off to the many trekkers and our amazing sponsors and volunteers, without whom none of this would have been possible. 

In the coming days, we’ll be sharing more Trek and Camp stories.  In the meantime, if you were at Trek, please send us your story, and if you weren’t at Trek, send us your favourite camp story.  We could all use some warm stories and memories as we dry off from Trek 4 Kids 2011.

Going The Extra Mile…

Local businesses are often asked to ‘give back’ to the community in which they work and prosper.  Time and again, we see our business community doing just that, sponsoring events, donating items, and sharing their time and skills.  House of Friendship couldn’t do what it does without the generous financial, in-kind and volunteer support we receive from local business.  This is especially true for Trek 4 Kids.  Any event costs money to run.  Thanks to sponsors and in-kind gifts of suppport, we’re able to cover these costs…and then some. 

Eastside Cycle staff with House of Friendship Property Director, Colin, an avid mountain biker

Some of our Trek sponsors even literally go the extra mile for Trek.  They bring out their co-workers, families and friends, and actually trek the trails.  If you plan on having your bike tuned up before riding the trails this Sunday, you’ll meet the folks from EastSide Cycle – they’ll be on-site offering free bicycle tune-ups.  These were such a hit last year that we’re starting bicycle tune-ups earlier this year, at 12:30 p.m., to give more people more time to have their bicycles tuned up.  When they’re finished tuning up bicycles, the guys from EastSide will hit the trails on their own bicycles. Out on the trails, you might also run into a family from SOS Physiotherapy or the team from KPMG. 

A family from SOS Physiotherapy ready to ride:)

Team KPMG completes Trek 2010

 

And who can forget crowd-favourite, Crabby Joe, who last year greeted Trekkers with Crabby Bucks and entertained them prior to the race?!  This year, we hear he will be joining John Neufeld, HOF Executive Director, to demonstrate some warm-up exercises to help get Trekkers ready for the day.

 

Crabby Joe and John Neufeld

If you meet any of these folks at Trek, please be sure to thank them.  They along with other sponsors; St. Jacob’s Printery, Herrle’s Country Farm Market, and Rogers TV, and event contributors Twin City Graphics, 4Imprint and Frogbox, make Trek 4 Kids possible.  Because of their generous support more kids will be going to camp, and we can all feel good about that.

Trent’s Trail Tale

The trail is ready and Trent is ready to trek!

Post by: Trent Bauman, Trek Volunteer

On Monday evening with the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing, I did a dry run of the Trek4Kids trail. The Iron Horse Trail was filled with commuter cyclists, families walking slowly after their dinner and athletes training. I was biking and mapping out sign positions for this coming Sunday afternoon.

The trail is in great condition, just some extra care needed crossing Park Street as there is some construction going on.

I’m looking forward to seeing many Trekers out on Sunday.

How will you be honouring ‘Mom’?

 

“After reminiscing about our family’s garage sale and lemonade stands [which raised money to send kids to camp], I wanted to find a way to involve our kids at their current ages.  For my Mother’s Day gift, I asked my family to remember a Summer Camp Sponsorship child by participating with me in Trek 4 Kids.” 
 
This was how Linda celebrated Mother’s Day with her family last year. 

Together, they formed Team Speedbumps and collected pledges for Trek 4 Kids.  Then a week later they gathered to hike along the Trek Trails.  Everyone got into the act; “Mom” who is 84, trekked in her scooter!! It was truly a family effort as you can see from this video clip.  And yes, they sent kids to camp.  What a wonderful way to come together and celebrate Linda!
 
Linda currently works at one of House of Friendship’s Community Centre programs, which are based in low-income neighbourhoods, and in the past she has worked at the Live & Learn program.  Many children from these programs have attended camp through HOF’s Summer Camp Sponsorship program.  As a result, Linda sees first hand the benefits of kids going to camp and has been a long-time supporter of the program through garage sales, lemonade stands and now Trek.
 
Yes, her family will be trekking again this year as Team Jakob Peddlers. 

Now, what will you be doing to honour Mom? 

This weekend sign up for Trek 4 Kids hike & bike 2011 and join us on the trails Sunday May 15, 2011.

Young trekker proves to be the Energizer Bunny

At Trek 4 Kids 2010, I.J., pictured here, was 4 years old. Apparently, I.J. LOVED going to summer camp last year, and, has endless energy – a great combination for any Trek 4 Kids participant!

I.J. on his SECOND round past my rest station!

But what makes I.J. different from other Trek participants is the fact that he rode the full 23km bike course…. then turned around and did half the course… a second time! That’s a lot of pedal turns on a tiny bike.

I wasn’t sure of what I was seeing when I saw I.J. and his dad sailing past a second time. I thought they might be going home and conveniently took the trail to get there. But, no, when they sailed back in the opposite direction about 45 minutes later, I knew they had gone for it!

I’m pretty sure he got an extra popsicle at the end of his second round! He deserved it!

I.J. is planning to go back to camp again this summer, and hop on his bike with Trek 4 Kids.

Will you be joining him? Just to see if you can keep up with him?!?!

I.J. (R) with is sister, Mom & Dad. A trekkin' family!

Meet Darien

Just one of the one hundred reasons why we all Trek for Kids! If you’re wavering about joining us this year – just watch this video. Remember Darien’s excitement when you hit the trail on May 15th!

Check out more House of Friendship videos on YouTube.

A True Gift – Given Freely

$ 0.19 from deep in a denim pocket, ‘donated’ at Trek 4 Kids 2010. Given by a man I see regularly, cycling and walking around our Kitchener-Waterloo streets.

He passed by my rest stop on the Iron Horse trail which serves as the route for Trek 4 Kids. He wanted to know “why all the people on the trail are wearing blue shirts?” I told him we were raising money for House of Friendship to send some young kids to camp who wouldn’t be able to go otherwise.

Mumbling, he set down his bike and dug into the pocket of his tattered denim shorts. He would not be swayed by my assurance that we weren’t collecting or soliciting money from people along the trail. He took my hand, placed a handful of sticky coins into mine, then rode off shouting, “That’s awesome!”

While his $0.19 might seem insignificant when compared to the $500 needed to send one child to camp – it’s really not. On some level, he seemed to know the value of what was going on that Sunday afternoon on the trail and wanted to make his own contribution by show of support.

A show of support from every Trek participant is what makes this event so incredible. Everyone does so in their own way – making a donation, collecting pledges, volunteering, championing a Trek participant or acting as an event sponsor.

We look forward to having you join this year! Register now to Trek with us on May 15th. Sponsor a friend who is already trekking or make a donation. Every dollar counts toward sending a child from a low income family to camp this summer. And yes, “that’s awesome!”

Our own version of ‘extreme trekking’

So many great stories emerge at the Trek 4 Kids event. It’s these stories that give this event such a wonderful energy.

For instance, not only did Betti Erb participate as a 2010 Trek cyclist, she fundraised on behalf of Rockway Mennonite Church, and was part of the Trek organizing committee. Not to be outdone by his wife, Betti, Greg Van Horn, ran a half marathon on the morning… then biked the 23km Trek route in the afternoon! What a team.

Betti Erb & Greg Van Horn

In the past two years,  there have even been a few runners taking on the full 23km route. Last year, Michael Hackbusch, Chaplaincy Director at House of Friendship, made the run with a young runner who had never run farther than 8km! Wow! What some people won’t do to help send kids to camp!

 

A relaxed Michael Hackbusch (R) with an over-joyed and exhausted Kyle Martin.

Thankfully, Trek 4 Kids has a distance to suite every type of participant whether walking, biking or running. And of course, any amount of pledges you can collect to support you will make a huge difference in the life of a child who gets to go to summer camp this year.

I can guarantee you… I sure won’t be running any marathons… half, or otherwise, but I will be doing my part.