Wreaths Across Canada set to host inaugural Charity Motorcycle Ride

Get ready to rev your motorcycle engines to help raise funds for Wreaths Across Canada.

Building on the success of its first gala held last November, the charity is hosting its inaugural charity motorcycle ride on August 13, 2022.

“We had a fabulous group of businesses and corporations attend our gala last year, which gave us a great start as we resurrect the charity. We were able to raise over $15,000 in one evening. Our goal is to host two fund-raising events annually to ensure we are financially sound as an organization,” said Cyndi Mills, president, Wreaths Across Canada.

Wreaths Across Canada Inc. is a non-profit organization started in 2007 by Craig McPhee, a veteran of the Canadian Forces. It is based on the Wreaths Across America organization that began in 1992 at Arlington Cemetery and has now spread to 300 military cemeteries in the United States.

First Charity Ride

The Charity Ride is being held in August to mark National United Nations Peacekeeper’s Day. The ride begins at the Richmond Memorial Centre in Ottawa and will head out to Smith Falls, up to Lanark, and wrap up at the ANNAVETS Carleton Place Unit.

“We would love to have over 50 motorcycle riders participate in our inaugural ride,” said Mills.

Registration is $30 per rider and $10 for passengers. The fee includes the ride, a barbecue lunch, and a charity receipt.

“We are really excited to host our first ride,” said Mills. “Along with participants to ride, we are also seeking businesses to sponsor each stop for the riders.”

Wreaths Across Canada Inc.

Wreaths Across Canada Inc. is a non-profit organization started in 2007 by Craig McPhee, a veteran of the Canadian Forces. It is based on the Wreaths Across America organization that began in 1992 at Arlington Cemetery and has now spread to 300 military cemeteries in the United States.

After a visit to Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC, McPhee was moved by how American servicemen and women are honoured each December by placing a wreath at the base of headstones. Wreaths Across America is the organization responsible for the annual commemoration.

After three years of hard work to gain support and approval, McPhee’s dream of creating an organization to honour deceased Canadian veterans was been fulfilled. Wreaths Across Canada Inc. is a registered Canadian Charitable Corporation with a Board of Directors. WRAC’s mission is to remember the contributions of Canadian military personnel who lie in military cemeteries across Canada at Christmas time, thus letting families know their loved ones, as well as their service to our country, has not been forgotten.

Warrant Officer (ret’d) Craig McPhee Legacy

“Unfortunately, Mr. McPhee stepped down a few years ago, which brought the current board together. We all witnessed his passion for Wreaths Across Canada. Our goal as a board is to keep his dream alive and have a wreath placed on all Canadian military veteran’s headstones at Christmastime across the country. This is a big challenge, but one we are committed to,” said Mills.

She added, “As a military spouse and military parent, Wreaths Across Canada is one way to let military families know that we have not forgotten their loved one’s service at Christmas time, as it can be a difficult time of year. Also, being in a military family has its set of challenges. Wreaths Across Canada lets military families know their service mattered. It’s not a solemn event but one of gratitude and reverence. I like to refer to it as a conviviality.”

Organization’s Objective

The organization’s objective is to honour those who served in Canada in war and in peace as members of our military forces and to teach Canadians, particularly Canadian youth, the value of sacrifice paid for preserving freedom and democracy in Canada.

Participants are asked to register on the charity’s registration here. For those looking for more information, please visit the Wreaths Across Canada event’s page for more information here.