Team cycling returns with encore events to raise funds to mentor children and youth in Canada

MEGABike teams will Pedal for Potential in over 20 community events across Canada, starting in May

(Toronto, ON – April 2023) – Big Brothers Big Sisters’ network across Canada is bringing back MEGABike, a fundraising and community challenge to get Canadians moving for mentoring.

MEGABike is a 29-person bicycle. This human-powered vehicle is driving social change for children in communities across Canada. This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters is inviting individuals and organizations to hop on the MEGABike. Participating Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies invite community members to enjoy a fun team-building experience while you pedal for the potential of children and youth. Each community experience will be distinct. Participants may register with co-workers, clients, family, and friends.

“We kicked off MEGABike to reconnect people and their communities. Covid-19 drastically reduced our network’s ability to connect one to one with children. The demand for mentors has never been greater, and we urgently need to invest to rebuild our volunteer capacity to serve those unmet needs.” says Jennifer Arp, Interim President and CEO.

Now in its second year, we have doubled our locations. Agencies and their local partners will host MEGABike events in the following communities:

May

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa and Area
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville

June

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph
Grands Frères Grandes Sœurs du Grand Montréal
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carleton-York
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fredericton and Oromocto
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saint John
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Moncton
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pembina Valley
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Regina and Area
Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and Area Inc.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor-Essex

Proceeds from MEGABike events go directly back to the communities where they take place.

To register and learn more about each unique riding experience, visit
https://bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/megabike/

“Our mission is to ensure that we provide a caring adult relationship for every child who comes through our agencies’ doors,” says Jennifer Arp. “When we ignite a child’s potential through mentoring, they learn to overcome life’s adversities now, and build resiliency and skills for their future.”

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada enables life-changing, mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people. BBBS is the leading non-profit social organization dedicated to enriching young people’s lives through the power of one-to-one mentoring. The network of 95+ member agencies serve more than 1,100 communities across Canada. Collectively, the network is working to reach our pre-Covid-19 levels of serving over 41,000 young people each year. Currently, more than 25,000 children and youth access the transformative benefits of mentoring relationships with caring, trained volunteers. The national organization provides services and programs to our member agencies to amplify their work with mentees, volunteer mentors, parents, caregivers, and school communities. The National Office is a registered Canadian charity and is accredited through the Imagine Canada Strong Charities Standards Program.

For more information and to book a media photo opportunity:

Marina Joseph
Marina.Joseph@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
1-800-263-9133, ext. 24