The inaugural Ride for Refuge got off to a positive start Saturday in support of North Simcoe Victims Services (NSVS).
By 11 a.m., it was announced 86 per cent of the $20,000 fundraising goal had been reached.
As Mayor Don McIsaac stated in his speech Saturday morning at Tudhope Park in Orillia, gathering in support of this cause “sends a powerful message of compassion, solidarity, and support to those who have experienced unimaginable hardships.”
McIsaac said the dedication of NSVS staff and volunteers has not gone unnoticed.
NSVS executive director Kim Kneeshaw praised development director Lynn Thomas for her work on organizing the ride.
“Lynn was the perfect person for development director because of her unique knowledge,” said Kneeshaw, who has been involved with the organization since its inception 25 years ago.
Kneeshaw thanked everyone else who contributed to the event.
“We certainly could not be doing this without the support we received from the community,” she said.
“NSVS is one of those services that flies under the radar,” added Thomas.
She noted many victims are continuously helped because of the work of volunteers and community members.
“It can be anyone’s worst day. It could happen to you or me. We could be a victim of crime, fraud, fire, sudden death, intimate partner violence … and we have a great training program. It’s very robust with experts that come from all areas of the community — from law to police enforcement, to fire, and communications,” she explained.
NSVS provides a number of services to victims, including financial support and referrals to other community services.
Thomas described her team of volunteers who helped plan the Ride for Refuge as a fantastic group of people.
“These people are hard working, passionate, and all somehow tied to victim services or emergency services,” she said.
In a moving and emotional speech about her experience through tragedy and with NSVS, Angela Baker, a current volunteer, shared her story.
“It was a feeling that somebody else understood me and genuinely cared,” she said Baker of the volunteer who helped her through stressful and traumatic circumstances.
Eleven years later, they are still friends, and “that should show impact enough,” Baker said.
NSVS co-chair and Orillia OPP Const. Brett Boniface followed with an impactful speech. He spoke to the first-hand knowledge he has of NSVS’ services, citing statistics.
In 2020, NSVS received 363 calls for service. In 2023, that number was 846. Many of these calls involve numerous victims, not one person per call. Boniface mentioned intimate partner violence, tragic circumstances, and sexual violence are the three most common calls.
He also noted although the past four years have seen a decrease in volunteers, there is an “incredible group of staff that work with us, work tirelessly to meet the needs within our community.”
Among supporters and donors at the Ride for Refuge was Chick-fil-A, which provided lunch for everyone, and Chris Locke from Orillia and Midland Home Hardware.
On behalf of his partners and staff, Locke recognized how the “beautiful day reminds you of the beauty and the prosperity and all of the things we have in this community.”
The Ride for Refuge had 50 participants, 13 teams and 52 volunteers.
Next year’s event is scheduled to take place Oct. 4.
