Bellerose High School students put on quite the show last week with their annual bikeathon. Not only was it an emphatic display of excitement and teamwork, it was an inspiring demonstration of what a dedicated and determined group of young people can achieve.
From humble beginnings, the first bikeathon, staged 13 years ago, raised a few thousand dollars for cancer research. Since then, students’ efforts have ballooned to hundreds of thousands. This year’s record-breaking total of more than $325,000 edges the all-time proceeds value to nearly $2 million.
At the end of last month, STARS air ambulance announced it was having difficulties selling its annual lottery. Blaming the low sales on the downturn in the economy, organizers predicted that for the first time in the two decades of the popular lottery it would not sell out.
At the same time, the Salvation Army of Alberta and the Northern Territories reported a 30 per cent increase in demand for its programs.
As demand for support programs increases due to job losses and reduced incomes, it would be expected to see fundraising dollars fall and it would have been understandable if the bikeathon had fallen short of last year’s mark, when times were better.
Bellerose’s success belies the seemingly endless woes we hear about the state of Alberta’s economy. That is not to say our economic problems are overstated but to point out that hard work and vision has the power to overcome adversity.
While raising money to fight cancer is a cause many people rally behind, the bikeathon’s success can be attributed to more than just a worthy cause.
The students who participate do more than just knock on doors with their hands out, they do bottle drives, bake sales, car washes and take on other initiatives to earn the money that helps top up the funds earned from generous donors. Teams like the Rack Pack that raised more than $6,000 are a testament to that.
No matter how you slice it, in good times or in bad, the success of the Bellerose bikeathon is an incredible feat. There is no shortage of complaints that youth today are lazy and entitled with little concept of hard work. Bellerose students not only shatter that stereotype they show us the future is in good hands. These are our future leaders and they hard working and socially and civically responsible.
We tip our hats to another successful bikeathon and to the students and contributors that made it possible. We are sure the 600 cancer patients who were able to access clinical trials last year because of the bikeathon are grateful for all the hard work. The students at Bellerose should be proud of the work they do and the fact they might have helped save lives.
