CAYUGA—Last Friday, Haldimand Motors’ Great Tricycle Race returned for its first appearance since 2019, bringing all the fun, excitement, and incredible fundraising Haldimand residents have come to expect since the event first exploded in the 1990s.
“So many people came together to support and help the community. You have to know who this impacts and how this helps the community. There are so many people around us who need that support,” said Haldimand Motors Human Resources representative Derek Lyne, who helped put the event together this year.
In total, 13 service groups, 18 churches, and 10 fire departments were on hand to compete for prizes and donation money.
While an exact total was not available ahead of publication, the event generated more than $125,000 for the many service clubs, churches, and fire departments who participated. Additionally, all five local area food banks pulled away with vans overstuffed with donated food.
“You’re not giving just because you expect to receive a prize at the end of the day, you’re giving for the joy of giving. To see these five local food banks get all the canned goods they needed for their shelves; we also have $2,300 in donations for the five banks that we’re going to divide up as well,” said Lyne.
He concluded, “From the service clubs, to the local churches, to the food trucks that came, to our 50-50 draw prize volunteers to Community Living, to the food banks, to the firefighters, even to the paramedics that showed up, there were countless volunteers and Haldimand Motors staff as well who really stepped up,” Lyne concluded. “This was just an incredible event.”
CAYUGA—Many charities benefitted from the event. Above first photo, Community Living Haldimand held a successful bake sale. Above second, all five area food banks were on hand to accept donations: “Jarvis was the last one I got to see drive away. Their truck was full to the brim, you almost couldn’t see the driver…. It’s an overwhelming outpouring from the community,” said Haldimand Motors rep Derek Lyne. Donations were thanked with ballots to a prize draw (above third photo), with everything from bicycles to barbecues up for grabs. —Photos by Steve Bobotsis.
