Vicki L MorrisonThe Fifth Annual Never Quit Foundation Motorcycle Ride took place on September 6, 2014.
“It was a great day. It’s only $25.00 to register for the ride. We just add $5.00 for each extra rider, of course we accept donations along the way. Weather is always something we have to consider. We hope for sun, but you know I think people would still come out and support us if it poured rain. We always have a good turnout. By ‘we’, I mean the Never Quit Foundation. We’re kind of the three amigos. There’s me and Jody Mitic, and Dave Harroo. Jody and I aren’t in the military anymore, but Dave is a master corporal in Windsor,” said Trevor Bowden, Never Quit Foundation treasurer.
A group of enthusiastic riders got together to have breakfast prior to the ride. “It gave us a chance to catch up with each other. Then we went to the starting point, where everyone gets registered, here in Petawawa. We rode out to Barry’s Bay. It’s about a 45 minute ride. Instead of a big weekend overnight event we went for something shorter this year. Just a good way to say goodbye to summer, a nice ride with buddies. As we move along more and more riders join in. There are motorcycle clubs and other veterans. People come from Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor. It’s a very relaxed day for a good cause,” said Bowden.
Motorcyclists look forward to the festivities after the ride as well. “We always finish up with a barbeque of course. We wanted to make the most of our proceeds so we chose not to hire bands. We kept things really simple and easy. We just asked people to move it into the Great Canadian Warehouse, after the barbeque. This year we had some fun prizes, like ATV rentals from Pete’s Sales and Service in Petawawa. They’re great supporters of the Never Quit Foundation and the ride. It was a day of real camaraderie and good times.”
The goals of the Never Quit Foundation are to to raise awareness and money for adaptive living assistance for wounded soldiers, amputee children, and first responders injured in the line of duty, and to facilitate their attendance at special events.
Never Quit Foundation president, Jody Mitic is a seventeen-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. In 2006 Mitic deployed as a sniper team leader in Afghanistan. In 2007 he stepped on a landmine and lost both feet. MCpl David Harroo, vice president has been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 13 years. He was deployed on multiple tours overseas, twice to Afghanistan and once to Bosnia and Macedonia.
Trevor Bowden, treasurer is a 10-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, retired due to injuries suffered on duty. He has been deployed on overseas tours. Currently Bowden is studying Fundraising and Event Management.
Please visit www.neverquitfoundation.ca to learn more.
