$4,961.00

Hello Friends:

I began long distance cycling trips when I was a student. It was inexpensive and it was a great adventure to be on the road: New York, Chicago, the Rockies, and my longest one to New Orleans. I enjoyed talking to people on the way but it was mostly solitary. Then I met a group of cyclists travelling across North America. They had a fundraising cause and an intentional practice of togetherness that they called “community on the way.”

Funny how when you think you would like to try something, the opportunity appears. I signed up! It was the second year of the Bike Rally for the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation and there were 60 riders. I was intimidated by the fundraising, but I did it. Friends and colleagues gave advice and sponsored me.

I did the ride two years in a row (2000 and 2001), came back for a year as crew (2015), and I have been riding each year since then. During COVID, I made up my own challenge: 1000 km in 6 days of local rides in the Toronto area. It’s more challenging to join from Ottawa but I'm riding again this year.

I am so grateful to everyone who has sponsored me over the years. Toronto People with AIDS Foundation helps so many people – the challenges have changed and the organization has also adapted to continue to help. The Bike Rally supports AIDS services in Toronto, Kingston and Montreal – and I hope we expand this support to Ottawa.

Thank you for sponsoring me!

Gary

Cheques can be mailed: 

Toronto PWA Foundation
163 Queen Street East, 2nd Floor,
Toronto ON M5A 1S1