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sports - Volunteers biking across Alberta to promote literacy
Emily Plihal
Smoky River Express
A group will be biking across Alberta this fall to promote literacy in the province.
The group, Munsch a Bunch of Miles for Literacy, has been riding long-distance bike relays to support literacy programs in Camrose and the surrounding area since 2006.
Their first tour was from Camrose to Winnipeg, stopping at schools along the way to present information and stories about literacy.
In the first tour, the group was able to leave an autographed copy of a Robert Munsch book, courtesy of Munsch himself. They have continued that tradition every year since their inaugural year.
“In the past three years, we have cycled over 4,000 km and presented our literacy message to more than 3,000 students, parents and teachers,” says program director at the Volunteer Centre of Camrose and District Sheralyn Dobos.
“Our goal is simple; to bring attention to literacy, particularly the importance of storytelling and language arts development for children. Our fund raising efforts support existing programs in the Camrose area that are constantly struggling for funding.”
This year the tour will begin in Camrose and finish in Camrose. They will be cycling from Camrose to Valleyview, and even to McLennan and back.
This will mark over 1,250 km cycled by the literacy spokespersons.
Ecole Providence will be graced with a visit on Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. An assembly will be presented to the school.
The goal of the group is to raise more than $12,000 to surpass the 2008 record.
On Sept. 3 the group will depart from Camrose from St. Patrick School, cycling to Drayton Valley. The next day they will be making a literacy presentation to the Drayton Valley School, followed by a cycle to Whitecourt.
Sept. 5 will see a morning community presentation (yet to be announced) followed by cycling to Valleyview.
A presentation will be made in Valleyview, then the group will cycle to Fairview.
Sept. 7 the group will be making a presentation in Fairview and then bike to our region. They will stay the evening in McLennan to make the presentation on Tuesday at Ecole Providence.
The group will then cycle to Slave Lake where they will make a presentation on Sept. 9.
From there they will cycle to Westlock for a presentation at Westlock Elementary School.
They will then cycle to Strathcona County on Sept. 10 to make a presentation the following morning at Ministik School.
They will cycle to Camrose for the Grand Finale at Sparlings School.
Donations for the tour can be made by visiting www.miles4literacy.com.
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