Welcome!

EVENTS THIS WEEK

BICYCLES FOR HUMANITY PROUDLY PRESENTS:
A Night of Passion in Argentina - A Night of Tango at Lula Lounge - A Fundraiser for the Toronto Chapter of Bicycles for Humanity.

Toronto chapter website for this wonderful cause. www.bicycles-for-humanity.org/Toronto

We are holding our Tango event at Lula Lounge on June 4th.

A Night of Passion in Argentina.
Live Tango Quintet - Vinetos Portenos.
Tango Show - from the Rhythm and Motion dancers Robert Horvatek
Tango Class - by Rhythm and Motion
Wine Tastings - Argentina wine producers and importers
and Canapes

$40 in advance, wine tastings, canapes, Tango Show, Tango Class
$50 at the door

$10 in advance Tango Show and Tango Class only
$15 at the door Tango Show and Tango Class only

Tickets available at:

Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas Street West
416-588-0307
or
With Suzanne Manvell 416-535-3858

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 26th - Booth at the Bike to Work Month Awareness Kick Off at City Hall 7am-10am.
May 30th - Booth at the St. Lawrence Market Criterium 6pm-10pm
June 4th - Fun Fundraiser at Lula Lounge - A Night of Tango Passion and Argentinian Wines
June 22nd - Fun Fundraiser Family Scavenger Hunt at St. Vincent De Paul Roncesvalles Village

PLEASE CHECK BACK WITH US THROUGH THE SUMMER AS WE ADD MORE FUN FUNDRAISERS AND AWARENESS OPPORTUNITIES.

A Bike Can Change A Life and You Can Change A Life Too!

There are areas in the world where the lack of good roads or affordable transportation makes life very difficult. Simply getting to work or school, obtaining food and water, or visiting a medical clinic can mean a long, tiring, time-consuming walk.

Just three years ago, a small grass-roots group in British Columbia came up with a simple solution - the humble bicycle. Every year we throw away thousands of them. Diverting these bikes from landfills to people who really need them makes a huge difference. Since then chapters of Bicycles for Humanity have opened all across Canada, and similar ventures have taken off in the U.S. and England.

Four women; Suzanne Manvell, Trish Brennan, Linda Morrow and Mireille were inspired by a newsclip on Global T.V. and by an article in The Globe and Mail to start the Toronto chapter of Bicycles for Humanity. They've been meeting Saturday mornings at a west end Portuguese bakery, planning their first delivery of bikes to Namibia.

Before this can happen a lot of work needs to be done. Fund-raising events have been scheduled throughout the summer and Fall, until the big send-off in early October. $10,000.00 is needed to cover the cost of buying and shipping a container.

Speaking with Suzanne recently made it clear that this goal is achievable,

“We want to get people involved in helping other people. A bicycle can change a life and You can change a life too! We aren’t looking for high end, specialized racing bikes rather we want that old bike with fat tires in your basement or garage that you no longer use. A few easy repairs like greasing a rusted chain, repacking a bottom bracket or patching an inner tube is all it takes to get that bike road worthy again. These repairs are done by the local youth in the recipient village who are trained to become bicycle repair mechanics, and then employed by the Bicycle Empowerment Network. The actual shipping container is reworked, outfitted and becomes the permanent bike repair/work shop in the village. It is such a wonderful and common sense approach.”

Among the events planned are: a bike film festival at a local pub, a family oriented bike rally, and a silent auction. A lot has been learned from the experiences and mentoriing of the other chapters. One path to success, for example, is to work with existing synergies in a community; a local soccer league with left over jerseys are delighted to find a group willing to take them. They will be used as packing filler during transport.

If you would like to get involved, learn more about fund raising activities or simply donate a bike or other items please contact Suzanne at 416-535-3858 or Trish Brennan at trish_brennan11@sympatico.ca