North Simcoe Victim Services (NSVS) is set to host the Ride for Refuge on Oct. 5.
The bike ride or walk, which will start at Tudhope Park in Orillia, aims to raise $20,000 for the local crisis response organization.
NSVS development director Lynn Thomas organized the event in 2017 and 2018 in support of The Lighthouse. Already, the planning committee and community supporters have raised more than $6,000 through sponsorships.
"All the funds stay local and go back to serving victims," Thomas said. "It's exciting that we have some momentum, but we are looking for teams to sign up and then invite family and colleagues."
Among the 42 Ride for Refuge events happening across Canada this year, Orillia is already second in fundraising.
"The community has seen the need," Thomas said. "It's been very visible that we've responded to major fires, accidents, and we've been there for victims through loss of life or property."
She says NSVS is a worthy cause because it could potentially end up supporting anybody in the community.
"Any day can be somebody's worst day," she said. "It's not because of your choices, it's not just bad luck, and so we are there to support people in that hour of need."
Since 2020, NSVS has seen a 127 per cent increase in calls for service.
"A lot of those calls are intimate partner violence to do with mental health," Thomas explained. "There's also been a lot of tragedy, fires and accidents."
While NSVS is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Red Cross, the funding doesn't always cover all costs for the organization's services.
"For instance, we recently had a large fire on Coldwater Road and there were several victims that we assisted with emergency accommodation for that week while they were out of their apartment," Thomas said.
NSVS also provides backpacks for human trafficking victims identified by Ontario Provincial Police.
"It can provide for them for a few days until we can get them into a more permanent situation," Thomas said.
During the Ride for Refuge, there will be fun activities, music, and opening ceremonies including speeches from local dignitaries and previous victims. Following the ride or walk, participants can have a meal from Chick-fil-A.
While people of all ages are welcome to attend the event, pets are not permitted for insurance reasons.
Thomas thanks the event's sponsors, teams and supporters for contributing to the event.
"It's an opportunity to continue to ride into the fall and get out with family and friends," she said.
There is no registration fee for the event, but adults who raise $150 and youth who raise $75 will get a Ride for Refuge T-shirt.
Register details and more information can be found here.
