Strathmore GOC rides to “empower the children”

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Just over a year after the organization’s initiation, Strathmore Guardians of the Children (GOC) will be hosting their inaugural Empower the Children Charity Ride on June 15 to help raise awareness and funds for the benefit of children dealing with abuse in Strathmore.
A branch of the international GOC, Strathmore GOC offers the same services as other chapters, including partnering with agencies within the community such as the police and child protection agencies, to provide supplemental support for children in need. This includes working with families of abused children to set up a specialized program to benefit the child, such as escorting the child to and from school and even class (with school consent), accompanying the children to court to offer support and reminding the child they’re not alone. The organization has also set up buddy benches at schools in the community where a child can sit if they’re feeling alone, left out or need someone to talk to – other children learn to watch for someone sitting alone and can be a buddy to them.
“There are some principal ways that we seek to help – the first is through raising awareness in our community of the reality of child abuse in all its forms and helping people to learn how not only to recognize it, but what to do when they have concerns,” said Strathmore GOC president, Padre, who asked to have his road name used.
GOC chapters across Canada and the U.S. hold empowerment rides every year to raise awareness in the community for the work the chapters do, and as a fundraiser to go towards projects in the communities the chapter is based out of.
The first annual Empower the Children Charity Ride in Strathmore will begin with registration at 9 a.m. on June 15 in the parking lot of Humpty’s Restaurant. Riders must show their licence and proof of insurance at registration, which costs $25 per rider and $15 for anyone riding on the back of the bike. The cost includes a bacon and egg breakfast with coffee before kickstands go up at 11 a.m. and the riders roll out.
“We care about kids, it’s as simple as that. Some have kids, some have grandkids, all of us were kids and we want the children to know that someone’s got their back,” said Padre, who added the Strathmore GOC chapter currently has five members, meaning there is a lot of room for growth if anyone would like to join the small chapter.
The ride will head towards Langdon then turn south and east to Mossleigh where riders can grab a bite to eat and fuel up if needed. From there the group will head north through Rosebud, then to Rockyford on their way back to Strathmore. The ride will end around 4 p.m. at Origin Malting and Brewing where a food truck will be waiting to feed the riders.
Anyone is welcome to join the ride; so far there has been response from about 70 people and the Strathmore chapter hopes to get as many riders as possible. The group also aims to host other events throughout the summer to raise awareness and funds.
“We’ve been asked to take part in other activities coming up in the community over the summer, all so that we can make these positive connections, get the word out and hopefully have a positive impact in the community for the sake of the kids,” said Padre.
For more information about the ride or the Strathmore GOC chapter, contact sgtatarms.gocstrathmore@gmail.com.