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It's February already, which means that it's almost time to get our bikes back on the road and start outdoor training for PWA'S Friends For Life Bike Rally. The good news is there's still time for your friends to join you on this year's ride. See below for the perfect events to introduce them to the Bike Rally. And we've got the latest fundraising tips to help you reach your goals.
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The Bike Rally Mid Winter Social is Coming Up!
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Join us on February 26, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Striker Sports Bar (31 St. Joseph St.) for our mid winter social. The theme is Days of Our Lives as we celebrate 18 years of the PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally. Meet old friends, make new ones. Enjoy food, beer and a ton of laughs. The bar menu will be available.
Wear your old Bike Rally Jerseys, bring a donation of food for the Essentials Market and have a great time. Bring a friend or two to sign up as well.
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See us at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show
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Need a new tent, sleeping bag or chair? The show is an excellent opportunity to check out camping gear with discounted prices.
There are three great ways to join us at the show:
- Get a free pass: If you haven't registered for Bike Rally 2017 be one of the next 15 Riders to register for the 1-Day or 6-Day ride and receive a FREE pass for the show!
- Save $4.00: Buy Tickets Online using Promo Code OUTDOORSHOW and receive $4.00 off the regular show ticket price. Please share this Promo Code with friends and family.
- Volunteer: We are looking for help at the Bike Rally Recruitment booth. Please contact the Recruitment Committee with your availability.
See you there!
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Kick Start Your Fundraising
Enter a Team in the Love Bowl!
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 When: Saturday March 11, 2017
Time: 1:00pm to 4:30pm
Where: Bowleramma - 5429 Dundas Street West
Bike Rally participants who enter a team in the Love Bowl can apply any funds raised by them or their team members towards their 2017 Bike Rally fundraising
. Sign up with 3 friends, raise money for PWA, have a great time bowling and boost your Bike Rally fundraising all at the same time!
This year's Love Bowl has a sixties theme, so throw on your tie die and get ready for strikes, spares, and misses
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| Toronto's Spring Bike Show |
The Bike Rally will also take part in the Toronto International Bike Show at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto.
Friday, March 3, 2017 -
Noon to 9 P.M.
Saturday, March 4, 2017 -
10 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Sunday, March 5, 2017 -
10 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Drop by the F4LBR booth and say hello. Better yet, why not volunteer a few hours and help spread the word about the Bike Rally and recruit new Participants.
Volunteers will get access to the Bike Show and be able to visit all the incredible vendors. It's a great way to find the newest bikes and accessories and the latest trends in cycling fashion, and take advantage of some great deals!
Contact the
Recruitment Committee
to sign up.
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A Cycle Solutions Social!
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Kale, Doug, and new F4LBR Rider Scott at Cycle Solutions on Parliament Street are hosting a special Bike Rally Open House Social.
Join us Saturday March 4, 2017 from 7 P.M. - 10 P.M. where a live DJ will spin tunes while you mix and mingle with other Bike Rally participants and enjoy light refreshments provided by The Epicure and libations by
Highlander Brew Co. beer.
In addition to their generous support, Cycle Soluctions will also have give-aways and will be offereing discounts to current and past Bike Rally Riders and Crew.
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Have you ever been asked: "How much should I donate?"
It's an awkward question, but you can reasonably assume that you are getting a donation. How do you avoid scaring them off? How do you maximize the donation?
Three suggestions that work:
1. Suggest a range that you think they fit into - know your donor. For instance, if you think they are good for $100, give that as the middle figure in a range: "People have been donating $75, $100, $150." Chances are they will pick the middle amount.
2. Give them an average - even if you only have 2 donors. If you're not comfortable suggesting that amount, go for a somewhat lower amount but stretch it a bit. If you think $50 is the best donation for your donors, up it by 20% and suggest that $60 is the average.
3. The very general approach when you don't know your donor too well or you think they may be able to make a substantial donation. Say something like, "I've received a wide range of donations, everything from $25 to $500". If you're very comfortable with this donor, try adding, "...or you can be a real star and sponsor me the entire $2,500!"
Fundraising Kudos
More recently registered First-year Riders, since December 5, 2016, who raise $500 or more by
February 28, 2017
, and Riders registered since
January 1
, who raise $500 by the end of March, will receive an official Bike Rally 2016 jersey.
Congratulations to Kirill Adarych, Fiona Rawle and Adri an Rawle who have already reached and surpassed this benchmark, raising $2,455 so far!
Special praise for Denny Tai Quoc An, first-time Road Support Crew. As volunteers, Crew are encouraged but not required to raise funds. None the less, Denny is already nearing Crew Top Fundraiser status ($1,000).
January Top Fundraisers
During January, "The Bike Rally Top 5" raised $6,614, over half of all funds raised during the month. Congratulations to Shae Byer, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, Dallas Pomeranz, John Rawle and Robb Walker, and thank you for showing us the way!
Fundraising Tip
Engage your potential donors before you ask them for a gift. Start now and talk with everyone you know about your participation, your ambitious goals, and your commitment to the cause.
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Winter/Indoor Training Rides began on Sunday, December 4
th
and will run every Wednesday (7pm - 8pm) and Sunday (1pm - 2pm) until Wednesday April 12
th
. All classes take place at the YMCA Toronto Central at 20 Grosvenor St. If you are planning to attend you must sign up ahead of time at
Please arrive 15 minutes ahead of the class. A Bike Rally ambassador will meet you just inside the main doors on Grosvenor Street to check your name off the list. Once downstairs, you will need to sign the log book and present photo ID on your way to the locker room.
Locks and towels are available for rent at $2.00 each. Bags, coats, or boots are not permitted in the fitness spaces so please bring your own lock or rent one from the Y.
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| Financial Assistance is one of PWA's most popular services accessed by over 1,000 people annually. The Bike Rally funds 100% of this program. |
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On July 30, 2017, more than 400 Riders and Crew will embark on either a 6-day 600 km journey from Toronto to Montréal or a 1-day 110 km journey from Toronto to Port Hope , both in support of people living with HIV/AIDS. PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally is the sustaining fundraiser of the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation. The experience of the Bike Rally promises to have a profound impact on the lives of every participant.
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