A bicycle is one of the greatest gifts to the world.
In St. Albert, eight bicycles have been gifted to some of our newest residents as an act of welcoming them from their travels across the world to find a new and safe home.
The two families of Syrian refugees – two parents and two children in each – relocated to this city last year. Their flight from their home country in the Middle East was sparked by civil war, a humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions of people to other countries and other continents, including here in western Canada.
A committee of people from Holy Family Parish not only helped arrange for these two families to arrive and settle here but also to enjoy their new lives. Bicycles were a huge part of that plan.
“Everybody has a bike!” exclaimed Lou Duigou, a member of the church’s refugee committee.
Through his connections with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, he also helped to arrange for the families to get furniture and other necessities for their new residences.
“Everything was donated and we delivered whatever they needed.”
Some of the bicycles were obtained from Sport Central, an Edmonton non-profit that helps provide gear and equipment to kids in families facing financial difficulties in order to keep them active and involved in sports. Another bicycle was obtained from a private individual while the rest were donated from the city’s recycling yard. Hundreds of bicycles are dropped off there every year and, in turn, get sent to philanthropic organizations including the Edmonton Bike Commuter Society, the North of 60 Project and Sport Central itself.
“I picked three good ones and had them all checked out by Cranky’s. They did some tune-ups and then I gave them to the adults.”
The recipients asked for anonymity but they did say how truly appreciative they were for the gifts and for everything else that has been provided to them.
