(Fort McMurray, AB, March 22, 2022) Fort McMurray Public School Division (FMPSD) and Fort McMurray Catholic Schools (FMCSD) thank Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for their $15,000 Community Development Grant. This will support students from both divisions through the Wood Buffalo You Can Ride 2 (WBUCR2) program, which provides adaptive bikes for children with special needs.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation, and equipment, and provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming.
Allie Wait, a Physiotherapist who works with FMCSD and FMPSD thanked Jumpstart.
“We are so grateful to Jumpstart for the grant this year. It has allowed us to purchase three new completely adapted bikes and the parts to adapt another 16. This program brings so much joy and sense of community to the families and children that participate. We cannot wait to see the bikes out on the trails this spring/summer,” enthused Wait.
Wood Buffalo You Can Ride 2 was launched in 2018 in Fort McMurray, and works as a lending library for children who need it. So far an estimated 400 bikes have been distributed locally. The original You Can Ride 2 program began in Edmonton in 2012.
George McGuigan, Superintendent, FMCSD says donations to this program make dreams a reality for children.
“Riding a bike for the first time is a memory many of us associate with a form of freedom. Our young worlds became larger when we were able to pedal our way around the neighbourhood. We are so thankful to Jumpstart and all of the organizations who are supporting Wood Buffalo You Can Ride 2. These donations make the dreams of biking around our neighbourhoods and trail system accessible for more of our children.”
Annalee Nutter, Superintendent, FMPSD also thanked Jumpstart, as well as local volunteers and sponsors for sustaining the program.
“Huge thanks to Jumpstart for supporting this amazing program, which brings joy to local children and families. Wood Buffalo You Can Ride 2 is a needed initiative, and we thank our staff, volunteers, and sponsors for keeping it going. The smiles we see on children’s faces are beyond precious!”
In 2019, Wood Buffalo You Can Ride 2 won the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s coveted Citizen Recognition Award shared by the Fort McMurray Public School Division, Fort McMurray Catholic Schools, and the Canadian Red Cross.
This year around 130 adaptive bikes will be distributed in May. Stay tuned for further details.