A Big Week for Shore2Shore

Shore2Shore took on three new sponsors in the past week! All three will be donating their services, product, and cash to support the event and Variety the Children's Charity.

"Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers was a huge deal for the success of Shore2Shore. Their staff have been supportive of the event right from the start. There is no doubt that their contributions will help to make this event as successful as possible." Said Mike Passas, Local 2407 and Co Team Leader for Shore2Shore.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is the world’s largest industrial auctioneer, with 39 auction sites worldwide. They sold US$3.57 billion of used and unused equipment at 340 unreserved auctions in 2008, including a wide range of heavy equipment, trucks and other assets for the construction, transportation, agricultural, material handling, mining, forestry, petroleum and marine industries.

POWERBAR has also committed to supporting Shore2Shore. POWERBAR is passionate about sports and fitness, health and wellness. All of their products are backed by decades of sports nutrition science and must live up to high standards to meet the nutrition and energy needs of all athletes — from world-class champions and dedicated amateurs to beginners. The Shore2Shore team is stoked to have POWERBAR on board. They are definitely a perfect fit for the event.

Another local White Rock business to step up and get involved is Parfour Signs and Printing. Parfour Signs has always been a big supporter of the White Rock fire fighters and local charity. Parfour Signs and Printing is a full service design and print shop for everything from business cards to large scale banners and vehicle graphics.

Their first big print job for Shore2Shore (a 25ft. banner) can been seen hanging at the front of the fire hall already!

1st Press Release: "Going the distance"

After a years worth of preparation and hard work, we have finally been able to start getting the word out about the Shore2Shore event locally. A big thanks goes out to the Peace Arch News who published the ad below on May 28/2009.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/peacearchnews/community/46390097.html

Gettin' Rollin'

The Peace Arch News was at the fire hall today to do a story on the ride. Here is one of the photos that was taken during the morning festivities.

Scott Booth (far right), Local 2407 Union President, stands with team riders (from left to right) Evan Bird, Patrick Ryan, Mike Passas, Eric Kameka, James Davison, and Bira Bindra.

The Shore 2 Shore event was also published last week by the IAFF on their website(http://www.iaff.org/Comm/SpotLight/09stories/040909WhiteRockCharity.htm) and we will soon find the event hitting local papers within the next week!

"Consider it a hand shake!"

In recent weeks, White Rock Fire Fighters, Local 2407 and Variety the Children's Charity have joined forces. "Consider it a hand shake", said Eric Kameka from Local 2407. "We're all excited about the partnership. We just can't wait to get the event up and off the ground. It's incredible to see the amount of enthusiasm from Variety's end, as well as the interest from potential sponsors at such an early stage!"

Over the next two months, both sides will be working together to get the word out to potential sponsors, complete promotional material, and to prepare for a soft launch kick off for early June.

Hopes are high with the possibility of a great new partnership!!

The latest news comes with great excitement for both sides. White Rock Fire Fighters Charity has been in discussion with Variety - The Children's Charity over the past week. Local 2407 Charity head, James Davison was enthused when saying, " This is incredible news for our event and for Variety. We're looking forward to the partnership, and can't wait to get this event off the ground. Variety couldn't be a better fit for us and it appears they are just as excited about the event as we are!"

Variety - The Children's Charity is a registered charitable society with a mission to raise funds and distribute grants throughout British Columbia to inspire hope, enrich lives, and build a better future for children who have special needs.
Since 1965, they have raised over $140 million, providing much-needed funding to children and organizations. Every year, Variety receives over 1,000 applications from individual families with children who have special needs making them the leading children's charity in B.C. for issuing such grants. Over 40 per cent of the grant disbursements are given to individual families, the other 60 per cent are given to organizations that help children and families.

Variety does not receive government funding. They rely solely on donations from individuals and corporations. As a volunteer based organization, they have some of the lowest administration rates amongst charitable groups. 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to the people they help, children who have special needs!

White Rock Fire Fighters will meet with Variety in the coming weeks to finalize the partnership and to organize a plan of action to kick off this big event!