Ride Away Stigma raises more than $17k for Sea to Sky Community Services
When Danielle Berman, a VCH concurrent disorders clinician, woke up Sunday morning and saw the heavens open with rain, she wondered if she’d be the sole cyclist on the Ride Away Stigma Sea to Sky event in Squamish.
As organizer of the inaugural Sea to Sky ride, Danielle was obviously hoping for a solid turnout.
Her worry was all for naught.
About 120 cyclists showed up. And thanks to them and the more than 30 volunteers and 350 donors, the ride raised just over $17,000 for mental health programs in Sea to Sky Community Services.
“The weather was a beautiful metaphor for the day,” says Danielle, whose story about why she organized the ride was featured in last week’s VCH News. “It started out down pouring with rain and I worried if anyone would come out or if I would be there all alone. Around 9 am people started showing up and as more and more people came the sun started shining more and more.”
Participants in the Ride Away Stigma Sea to Sky event in Squamish Sunday.
As delighted as Danielle was with the turnout, she says something even more important happened.
“Not only are the numbers an amazing feat for hosting the first event but what was more special was the atmosphere in the park,” she says .”The park was filled with music by the Overcomers, laughter, tears and cheer while people enjoyed the BBQ, games and face paint. You really could feel the community coming together to support each other. We may have times where we feel all alone but with support and being together we can get through those hard times.
“It was a powerful day to see how a community can come together to support a cause that affects all of us either directly or indirectly.”
Next year’s ride will move to the spring when there are fewer activities happening in the community.
“There are a lot of other great initiatives happening already in September and we think there could be a higher turnout from the mountain bike community at that time,” she says. “September just seems to be a really busy month with people returning from summer holidays.”
Ride organizer Danielle Berman speaks at the Ride Away Stigma event in Squamish on Sunday.