Cops for Kids riders are seen here south of Okanagan Falls, heading towards the Oliver fire hall where a community fundraiser was held Saturday, Sept. 12.
Photo by Keith Lacey
A large group of RCMP officers rolled into the South Okanagan this past weekend and there wasn’t any trouble to be found.
That’s because the annual Cops for Kids bike ride to raise funds to assist children in crisis from across the Southern Interior of BC is once again underway.
A total of 31 RCMP officers and RCMP support staff hit the road in Kelowna last Friday morning and will spend 10 days travelling across the South Okanagan and West Kootenay region to raise awareness and funds to assist numerous children across the region in the coming months.
A group of 13 officers and support staff arrived in Oliver Saturday morning as part of the 2015 Cops for Kids event. On Friday, another large group gathered in Osoyoos before heading up Anarchist Mountain and heading towards communities like Trail and Castlegar.
The Cops for Kids Charitable Foundation was founded in 2001 and involves RCMP members and support staff across the RCMP’s southeast district who are committed to assisting children that are in need of medical, physical or traumatic crisis counselling.
Since its inception 14 years ago, the charitable foundation has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to continue ongoing support to children in communities across the region.
The Cops for Kid ride is the organization’s signature event.
Every year, close to 30 officers and support staff leave from Kelowna and travel all across the southeastern part of the province to raise funds and awareness about the need to support children in need, said Daniel Carson, an officer with the Kelowna RCMP traffic department, who acted as team spokesman during their stop Saturday morning at the Oliver fire hall.
Not only do RCMP officers and support staff take part in the Cops for Kids ride, but sheriff’s officers and Canadian Border Services Agency members have participated as well, he said.
Many of the officers who have been participating in the Cops for Kids ride have been training for this event for many years, but there are some, like himself, who don’t get to train as much as they would like but still want to take part, said Carson.
“We use a lot of drafting,” he said, smiling. “I do a lot of drafting.”
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes said there is great community support in his community for the Cops for Kids ride and he’s proud that Oliver residents have been such strong supporters of this worthwhile cause.
“We really want to thank you … thank you so much,” said Hovanes to the participating RCMP officers and support staff.
Not only did the Oliver Lions and Lioness Clubs feed the participants and their support crew, but they also donated a cheque for $500 to the cause.
Oliver Fire Chief Dan Skaros also presented a cheque for $200, while the Lioness Club presented a cheque for $300. Lee Chic, with the Kiwanis Club of Oliver, presented a cheque for $500 to Carson.
In addition to donations from the public, the total came to $2,500.
The grueling 10-day ride is difficult for all of the riders, but they are constantly reminded that their long hours on the road will benefit children in need and that keeps them moving forward, said Carson.
Being able to raise money to benefit children who face their own challenges with health, safety and happiness ensures that all participants will remain focused and dedicated, he said.
Other fundraising events sponsored by the organization include a Wild Wild West annual All Male Fashion Show fundraiser, a fundraising car show, Cops for Kids Golf Tournament and Cops for Kids Slo-Pitch Tournament.
Anyone wishing to assist the Cops for Kids campaign can make a donation of cash, cheques or money order, payments on credit cards or pre-authorized monthly payments to the Cops for Kids Charitable Foundation by visiting the website at www.copsforkids.org.
By Keith Lacey
