Canada Border Services agent Brenda Kotzian and Cpl. Brian Burke from the Penticton RCMP take a breather during a stop at the Oliver fire hall for a fundraising barbecue September 7. The Cops for Kids charity raised approximately $2,500 in Oliver that day.
Lyonel Doherty photo
What comes around goes around, and for one local police officer, helping kids in crises is his way of “paying it forward.”
Corporal Brian Burke from the Penticton RCMP recalled when his children benefited from a charity, so now he’s returning the favour by participating in the “Cops for Kids” program.
Burke and nine other cyclists stopped at the Oliver fire hall last Saturday for a fundraiser organized by the Oliver Lioness Club.
Cops for Kids is a charitable foundation established in 2001 by members of the Kelowna RCMP. It’s a 10-day bike ride encompassing the Southern Interior, including Oliver and Osoyoos. One group of cyclists stopped in Osoyoos and later tackled the Anarchist Mountain route on its way to Grand Forks.
The foundation raises money for children in medical, physical and traumatic crises by way of equipment such as computers for special needs. It also provides counselling, mobility needs such as wheelchairs, and home renovations to accommodate mobility issues.
Burke, a police dog handler, said Cops for Kids is one of the few charities where you actually get to see the families you’re helping. He noted that seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces is very rewarding.
“It’s a domino effect. You smile at someone, and they smile, and you keep it going,” Burke said.
The officer said the adversity the riders face during this grueling event is mild compared to what some families face.
Each rider is required to raise $2,000 before being allowed to participate in the event. That was a piece of cake for Cst. Melanie Coon from the Kelowna RCMP. She raised more than $5,000 this year.
It all started with a personal yard sale that grew in popularity. She collects household items donated by co-workers and friends, and then sells them to raise money for the charity.
A couple of neighbours allow Coon to use their driveways for the sale, and in one weekend, she managed to raise approximately $2,000. She could have stopped there, but the money continued to flow. She collected $500 from her co-workers, and organized an Indian taco sale at the Kelowna detachment, which raised $1,200.
One stranger gave her $1,100 towards the cause. The lady heard about what Coon was doing and decided to donate her tax refund.
“I get goose bumps whenever I talk about it,” Coon said.
Oliver firefighters hosted last Saturday’s barbecue, which raised more than $300. Oliver’s new Ambassadors organized a draw for various prizes.
The Oliver Lioness Club, with the Firehall Bistro, donated $550, while the Lions Club chipped in $500. The Kiwanis Club also donated $500, while the Elks chipped in $200.
Oliver resident Dot Cranston donated $50 to the foundation, in addition to some bottle recycling money from Meadow Gardens.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
