Kiwanis club hopes to promote active lifestyle for those less fortunate

Times Reporter

 

Promoting a healthy, active lifestyle while helping those less fortunate are just a few of the things the Strathmore Kiwanis Club is all about. On June 16 members of the club and volunteers will be in the parking lot in front of Optimum Wellness in Crystal Ridge. 

“What we’re trying to do for the Kiwanis Club is, take bikes that have been used and fix them up and be able to give them to underprivileged children. That’s kind of how the idea started,” said Cory Johnson. 

“What we’re planning on doing on the 16th, is we want to have a day where the kids can come pick up the bikes and also do it as a bit of a fundraiser where people can bring their bikes and get them tuned up by the people who are donating their time.”

Kiwanis is an international organization with a mission to help make a difference in the community one child at a time. There are over 600,000 members worldwide. Johnson became the president of the downtown Calgary Kiwanis club and then he became the Lieutenant Governor. After that was elected the governor elect for Western Canada, before opting to start a club in Strathmore. 

“What our hope is, is that by doing this project we’ll be able to raise enough funds to be able to do other projects over the winter,” said Johnson.  

Johnson came up with the idea but it was Alicia Flint who began to bring it to life. Flint has been collecting bikes from the salvage yard near Carseland since Johnson first mentioned the idea, preparing for the big day. 

“It’s kind of taken on a life of its own since we started it. There’s been such a great response in the community with people wanting to help out, or perhaps they have gently used bikes they want to donate to us. It’s really coming along well,” said Flint. 

Both Johnson and Flint are hoping the kids they are helping can be there on June 16, because they would like to hand the bike directly to the child and see their face. But as long as it gets to them in the end, that’s all that matters, said Flint. They will be more than willing to give the bike to an association, or the principal of a school to give to the child in need.   

“This is all about making a difference in the community and getting kids healthy and out of their houses and enjoying this beautiful town that we have,” said Johnson. 

“I really believe there are hundreds of bikes sitting out there that are ready to go, but it just depends on what feedback we get. People who have bikes that are gently used that don’t necessarily need fixing up…if people have bikes that they are willing to donate that don’t need a lot of fixing up they can get in contact with me or Alicia.”

Volunteers and, of course donations are needed, but what is needed the most is the children and families who can really benefit from what Kiwanis is trying to do. 

To find out more information contact either Cory Johnson at cbj@coryjohnson.ca or 403-829-5844 or Alicia Flint at either aliciaflint@hotmail.com or 403-921-7703.