6 Bowls of Borscht and a Song for a Long Hot Day

By Jared Zeeman & Dean Marchand

The morning started with a hearty breakfast hosted by the Osoyoos Legion. Half the team then boarded the bus for the short ride to Penticton, where we start day two of the Cops for Kids ride.  After a beautiful ride down Eastside road and highway 97, the team was greeted at the Oliver firehall by the Lions and Lionesses clubs. After a wonderful performance of the famed welcome song, and some embarrassing birthday presentations, I had the honour of seeing the town of Oliver’s generosity firsthand.  A barbecue was held with all proceeds being donated to Cops for Kids, and larger cheque presentations were held.

The team was fortunate to meet local child, and learned how Cops for Kids was able to offer support to his family when he required a life altering surgery.

Riders were treated to a feast served by the Lionesses before continuing riding to Osoyoos.

The ride team was reunited near Greenwood and rode to the  Deadwood Junction, where once again we were delighted by the generosity shown. After a short cheque presentation, the team enjoyed baked treats to energize them for the ride over the Eholt pass.

The best part about riding up a hill is getting to ride down the other side, and the team was able to stretch their legs out with the annual (unofficial) race into Grand Forks. With a photo finish at the bottom of the hill, a new champion was (unofficially) crowned.

The ride team was greeted in Grand Forks by a family helped by Cops for Kids.  Hearing firsthand how the money raised helps the families of children in medical need is great motivation for the riders.

The ride team finished the day with a traditional borscht dinner hosted at the USCC hall before retiring to our beds at the Grand Forks Ramada. What a long day to celebrate my birthday and the difference our hard work makes to kids, and now we rest in preparation of what’s to come tomorrow.