Raised:
$87,122
119%Goal:
$73,000

Kitchener Grand River

Hosted by COMPASS Refugee Centre

204Participants24Teams80Volunteers

What moves you? The Ride for Refuge, a family-friendly fundraising bike + walk in support of local charities serving people seeking hope, safety, and freedom. Join us Saturday, Oct 5, 2024!

Community Sponsors

Kitchener Grand River (COMPASS Refugee Centre) is super grateful for our fantastic 2024 sponsors! View all sponsors >

2024 RIDE Photos

Thanks to all of our amazing photographer volunteers! If you've got RIDE Day photos or videos you'd like to share, email them to photos@bluesea.org.

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Event Day Details

Save the date - RIDE Day is October 5, 2024!

StartGoogle Map

Doon Valley Golf Course

500 Doon Valley Dr, Kitchener, ON N2P 1B4

Schedule

  • 3:00 pm: Meet Check-in + Welcome
  • 4:00 pm: Move Send-off
  • 5:00 pm: Munch Light meal served
  • 6:00 pm: Mosey Thank You! See you in 2025!

Not able to join us at the Main Event? We hope you'll register, fundraise and participate offsite with friends and family.

Route Details

  • Route Distances: We have great routes where you can walk 2.5 or 5 km or bike 10 or 20 km.
  • Rest Stops: The rest stop will have yummy snacks and drinks.
  • Signage: Routes will be well-signed with our bold orange RIDE signs.
  • Route Support: Route marshals, rest stop hosts, and support vehicle drivers will provide support along the route.
  • Children 12 and Under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
  • No Pets: We love our little furballs like you do, but pets are not permitted at Ride for Refuge except for approved and trained service animals. Read more about our pet policy >

Check-in

  • All participants check-in personally at the event on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
  • T-shirts! Fundraising participants who raise $150+ (or $75+ for those under 18) will receive a RIDE shirt as a thank you on Event Day, while supplies last.
  • There is no registration fee to participate in the Ride for Refuge, but most participants raise $250-300 or more in support of their charity.

Have questions? Visit the FAQ section!

Waivers

All participants should register online.

  • Adults accept the waiver automatically when they register online.
  • Youth/Children: under 18 need a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
  • An online waiver form will be emailed to all parents/guardians before RIDE Day.
  • Waivers will be available at check-in on RIDE Day.

What to Bring

A few common sense suggestions:

  • A cell phone for emergencies (recommended but not required)
  • Your bike and helmet or walking shoes
  • Extra snacks if you have allergies or food sensitivities
  • Your own water bottle
  • Warm layers with moisture-repelling clothing. Early October weather can be cool, with rain and wind. The weather might also be gorgeous and sunny. So be sure to keep your eye on the forecast.
  • A passion for the charity you're walking and fundraising for!

Handling Money

  • Credit Card: The Best Option! Simple, secure, automatically tax receipted for gifts of $20+. Visit the Donate page, share your personal page link, or have your donor call the RIDE Head Office.
  • Cheques: The Old Faithful - made out to Ride for Refuge with your name on the Memo line. Mail them to RIDE Head Office along with your completed pledge form.
  • Cash: You have 2 options:
  • 1. Login to FundHub, click “Enter $$ and Cheques,” create pledges for your cash donations, pay them off with your personal credit card, and keep the cash. OR...
  • 2. Write a cheque (made out to “Ride for Refuge”) for the total amount of cash you’ve collected. Mail it to the RIDE Head Office with your completed pledge sheet.

Kitchener Grand River Maps

Check out this year's RIDE route maps below:

10kmView + print!

Family friendly trails, streets and bike pathways. Enjoy scenes and historic sites along Schneider Creek. Double the fun for 20km. The same great route as 2023!!

2/5kmView + print!

Walk the scenic trail over the Grand River Bridge (2.5km turnaround) or continue to the historic Pioneer Tower and Betzner Homestead (5km turnaround). Keep your eyes out for eagles!

Kitchener Grand River Scoreboard

Are you thrashing the competition (for a good cause)? Find out here! Stats are updated every 15 minutes. See how you stack up on the national scoreboard >

Teams
Participants

#

Team Name

Captain

Members

Raised

1

WMB on the Move

Jim MacMillan

43

23,335.46

2

The Young and the Rest of Us

Debbie Wagler

20

14,242.85

3

COMPASS Board

Karen Martin Schiedel

6

8,460.00

4

COMPASS Walk and Wheel

Shelley Campagnola

8

6,769.00

5

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

Zac Klassen

15

3,595.00

6

Van Giessen Gaggle

Tony Van Giessen

5

3,300.00

7

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

Rebecca Steinmann

12

3,155.00

8

Team Cactus Xiphactinus

Andrew Schiedel

3

2,945.00

9

Pioneer Park Participants

Stephen Yantzi

5

2,675.00

10

LMC Peace Pedallers

Dorothy Tymchyshyn

10

2,505.05

11

THE WAY WALKERS

CHARMAINE GAGNON

12

2,415.00

12

Rivermill Riders

Sami Qureshi

2

1,650.00

13

Clark and Friends

Christine Clark

6

1,520.00

14

CreekRiders

Sarah Lainez

8

1,432.38

15

Team Alex

Alex Nicolaes

1

1,310.00

16

Women Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

Ezra Morarescu

3

1,250.00

17

St Jacobs Mennonite Church Riders

Mark Diller Harder

4

900.00

18

Team Love

Lila Kennedy

4

880.00

19

Care

Marcela Kupfer

1

600.00

20

McHartley

Sara Hartley

2

550.00

21

walkers with a purpose

Geoff Bellew

1

500.00

22

Dubon Fam Jam

Juan Dubon

8

500.00

23

Millionaire riders

Nathan Audette

1

200.00

24

Family Friends Unite!!!!

Priyanki Baruah

2

100.00

#

Name

Team Name

Donors

Raised

1

Bruce West

WMB on the Move

43

9,900.00

2

Jim Pankratz

COMPASS Board

19

4,375.00

3

Jim MacMillan

WMB on the Move

32

3,475.00

4

Debbie Wagler

The Young and the Rest of Us

28

3,160.00

5

Rudy S

Team Cactus Xiphactinus

13

2,545.00

6

Jeanette Voaden

COMPASS Walk and Wheel

25

2,504.00

7

Karen Martin Schiedel

COMPASS Board

7

2,275.00

8

Jenni Wagler

The Young and the Rest of Us

18

2,017.85

9

Shelley Campagnola

COMPASS Walk and Wheel

2

1,550.00

10

Tony Van Giessen

Van Giessen Gaggle

11

1,520.00

11

Josh Friesen

The Young and the Rest of Us

16

1,300.00

12

Karl Martin

The Young and the Rest of Us

5

1,250.00

13

Emily Van Giessen

Van Giessen Gaggle

4

1,250.00

14

Colleen Gingrich

The Young and the Rest of Us

14

1,200.00

15

Reuben Brunsting

WMB on the Move

10

1,200.00

16

Catherine Dyck

WMB on the Move

17

1,190.46

17

Sami Qureshi

Rivermill Riders

5

1,000.00

18

Gareth Goossen

WMB on the Move

12

1,000.00

19

Arwaa Mawed

Women Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

1

1,000.00

20

Funke Oba

COMPASS Board

18

960.00

21

Christine Clark

Clark and Friends

7

920.00

22

Evan Kornelsen

The Young and the Rest of Us

6

700.00

23

Calisha Kornelsen

The Young and the Rest of Us

4

690.00

24

Jesse Dyck

WMB on the Move

3

650.00

25

Maria Qureshi

Rivermill Riders

7

650.00

26

Helen Gallinger

CreekRiders

10

637.38

27

Marcela Kupfer

Care

12

600.00

28

Kristy Sawatzky

COMPASS Walk and Wheel

11

600.00

29

Bethany Leis

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

10

595.00

30

Colton Gascho

The Young and the Rest of Us

5

580.00

31

Alyssa Wilson

13

550.00

32

Thomas Fast-Sittler

1

525.00

33

Lawrence Hansen

WMB on the Move

4

525.00

34

Sam Pardys

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

1

500.00

35

Daniel Habte

COMPASS Walk and Wheel

2

500.00

36

Josi Pape

COMPASS Walk and Wheel

6

500.00

37

Lindsey Pardys

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

1

500.00

38

Ndagire Brendah

COMPASS Board

12

500.00

39

Amrita Chaulagain Shrestha

COMPASS Walk and Wheel

4

500.00

40

Geoff Bellew

walkers with a purpose

1

500.00

41

Rebecca Steinmann

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

4

450.00

42

Zac Klassen

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

6

440.00

43

John-Eric Pardys

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

5

425.00

44

Robert Sider

LMC Peace Pedallers

3

410.00

45

Geralyn Miller

9

400.00

46

Joanne Jantzi

Pioneer Park Participants

5

400.00

47

Jacquie East

THE WAY WALKERS

3

385.00

48

Jonathan Cressman

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

4

380.00

49

Nathan S

Team Cactus Xiphactinus

4

375.00

50

Alex Nicolaes

Team Alex

7

375.00

51

Paul Fretz

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

5

350.00

52

CHARMAINE GAGNON

THE WAY WALKERS

8

350.00

53

Eli B.

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

8

350.00

54

David Clayworth

WMB on the Move

6

350.00

55

Nevine Samy Bebawi

WMB on the Move

4

325.00

56

Meredith Bigham

The Young and the Rest of Us

2

325.00

57

Adam & Michelle Knowles

WMB on the Move

5

325.00

58

Daniel Bigham

The Young and the Rest of Us

2

325.00

59

Luke Hansen

WMB on the Move

6

305.00

60

Dennis Cok

COMPASS Walk and Wheel

2

300.00

61

Anna Aldred

WMB on the Move

7

300.00

62

Phil Bergsieker

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

3

300.00

63

Amber McKay

The Young and the Rest of Us

3

300.00

64

Brian McCaig

McHartley

3

300.00

65

Emma East

THE WAY WALKERS

7

300.00

66

Diane Wakem

THE WAY WALKERS

6

295.00

67

Mary Murphy

THE WAY WALKERS

10

290.00

68

Lila Kennedy

Team Love

6

280.00

69

Sean East

THE WAY WALKERS

5

275.00

70

Phil Jantzi

WMB on the Move

4

275.00

71

Sarah Fretz

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

1

250.00

72

Dorothy Tymchyshyn

LMC Peace Pedallers

2

250.00

73

Ezra Morarescu

Women Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

1

250.00

74

Nancy Frey

LMC Peace Pedallers

2

250.00

75

Sara Hartley

McHartley

3

250.00

76

Sarah Lainez

CreekRiders

4

250.00

77

Kristen Hines

WMB on the Move

3

225.00

78

Naren Kumarakulasingam

COMPASS Board

3

225.00

79

Marina Dubon Hernandez

Dubon Fam Jam

4

225.00

80

Johann K

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

5

220.00

81

Ginny Parkhouse

LMC Peace Pedallers

2

200.00

82

Tim Martin

LMC Peace Pedallers

2

200.00

83

Simon Martin

LMC Peace Pedallers

2

200.00

84

Greg Cressman

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

1

200.00

85

Juan Dubon

Dubon Fam Jam

1

200.00

86

Paola Cortes

4

200.00

87

Nathan Audette

Millionaire riders

3

200.00

88

Hannah Jantzi

WMB on the Move

2

200.00

89

Philip Metzger

Pioneer Park Participants

4

200.00

90

Cheryl Carter

LMC Peace Pedallers

4

185.05

91

Nathan Hines

WMB on the Move

4

175.00

92

Kendyll Cassels

3

175.00

93

Austin Gachimu

2

170.00

94

Lucia Hines

WMB on the Move

4

160.00

95

Joanne Bush

7

160.00

96

Ruth Cressman

LMC Peace Pedallers

3

158.00

97

Ainsley Aldred

WMB on the Move

2

155.00

98

Norma Martin

WMB on the Move

1

150.00

99

Luke Aldred

WMB on the Move

1

150.00

100

M Klassen

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

1

150.00

101

Hazel Bigham

The Young and the Rest of Us

3

150.00

102

Olive Bigham

The Young and the Rest of Us

3

150.00

103

Sebastian Martin

LMC Peace Pedallers

2

150.00

104

Joelle M-R

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

1

150.00

105

Emma Bigham

The Young and the Rest of Us

3

150.00

106

Sarah Andrews

THE WAY WALKERS

3

150.00

107

Brian Mottershead

Team Love

2

150.00

108

Ronan Kennedy

Team Love

5

150.00

109

Zam Sanchez

WMB on the Move

2

150.00

110

Sonya Vanderheide

Van Giessen Gaggle

2

150.00

111

Hector Perez

WMB on the Move

2

150.00

112

Ray Brunsting

WMB on the Move

1

150.00

113

Brenda Folkema

CreekRiders

1

150.00

114

Frank Folkema

CreekRiders

1

150.00

115

Pat Murphy

THE WAY WALKERS

2

150.00

116

Calvin Van Giessen

Van Giessen Gaggle

5

140.00

117

Eden Van Giessen

Van Giessen Gaggle

5

140.00

118

Twyla Katsube

CreekRiders

6

135.00

119

Elliott Cressman

LMC Peace Pedallers

2

127.00

120

Eli Bigham

The Young and the Rest of Us

2

125.00

121

Lisa Jarvis

COMPASS Board

2

125.00

122

Melina Silva

WMB on the Move

3

120.00

123

Amelia L

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

2

120.00

124

Madeline L

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

2

120.00

125

Sofia Madrid

WMB on the Move

3

115.00

126

Mauricio Madrid

WMB on the Move

3

115.00

127

Priyanki Baruah

Family Friends Unite!!!!

1

100.00

128

Jens Happe

1

100.00

129

Jackson Mottershead

Team Love

2

100.00

130

Mark Diller Harder

St Jacobs Mennonite Church Riders

1

100.00

131

Stephen Yantzi

Pioneer Park Participants

1

100.00

132

Hubert Chathi

St Jacobs Mennonite Church Riders

1

100.00

133

Stan Szepesi

Clark and Friends

1

100.00

134

Ezra L

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

3

95.00

135

Timothy Polania

WMB on the Move

1

75.00

136

Jonas Greig

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

2

75.00

137

Ethan M-R

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

2

75.00

138

Valentina Garcia

WMB on the Move

1

75.00

139

Seth B.

Stirling Youth and Jr. youth

2

75.00

140

Lucianna Perez

WMB on the Move

2

75.00

141

Jade Capetillo

WMB on the Move

1

75.00

142

Patrick Cain

St Jacobs Mennonite Church Riders

2

75.00

143

Mathieu Cain

St Jacobs Mennonite Church Riders

2

75.00

144

Colin Ross

THE WAY WALKERS

2

70.00

145

Ari Jaimes Valbuena

CreekRiders

1

60.00

146

Ron Polania

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

147

Jason Andrews

THE WAY WALKERS

1

50.00

148

T Klassen

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

1

50.00

149

J Klassen

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

1

50.00

150

M Klassen

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

1

50.00

151

Sarah Asmussen

THE WAY WALKERS

1

50.00

152

Erika Brandt

1

50.00

153

Martha Garcia

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

154

Juan Velilla Mantilla

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

155

Mirian Vasquez

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

156

Catalina Rmirez

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

157

Mario Madrid

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

158

Tumzzy Josh

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

159

Mason Brewer

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

160

Adriana Berumen

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

161

Carlos Sanchez

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

162

Vicente Capetillo

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

163

Oralia Silva

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

164

Nicole Doiron

WMB on the Move

1

50.00

165

Christine Gascho

THE WAY WALKERS

1

50.00

166

Benjamin Henninger

Dubon Fam Jam

1

25.00

167

Andrew Schiedel

Team Cactus Xiphactinus

1

25.00

168

Amayah Dubon

Dubon Fam Jam

1

25.00

169

Irene Metzger

Pioneer Park Participants

1

25.00

170

Sonya Dubon

Dubon Fam Jam

1

25.00

171

Alyssa Kissi

The Young and the Rest of Us

1

20.00

172

Jim Testerton

3

3.00

173

Veronica Henninger

Dubon Fam Jam

174

Colin Henninger

Dubon Fam Jam

175

Tyler Szepesi

Clark and Friends

176

Evelyn Snieder

CreekRiders

177

John Ndumia

178

John Regier

Pioneer Park Participants

179

Letebrhan Abrha

180

Samuel Kissi

The Young and the Rest of Us

181

Jaxon Kissi

The Young and the Rest of Us

182

Jeremiah Kissi

The Young and the Rest of Us

183

Kingsley Kissi

The Young and the Rest of Us

184

John Nighswander

185

Marlene Nighswander

186

Russell Pardys

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

187

Charlie Pardys

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

188

Josh Richard

Women Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

189

Hugh Pardys

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church

190

Sabeeq Ogunsola

191

Jonathan Alcine

Dubon Fam Jam

192

tijani ahmed huudu

193

Beilul Welday

194

Karen Centurione

195

Natasha Centurione

About COMPASS Refugee Centre

RIDE or WALK with COMPASS Refugee Centre


#justice: We assist people with the refugee claim process that leads to their protection in Canada


#thriving: We accompany people as they settle and experience belonging in their community


#welcomingcommunities: We advocate by tackling barriers to justice, thriving, and belonging.


Join COMPASS on October 5, 2024!

Contact Us


RIDE Kitchener Grand River 2024

The RIDE Team Participant & Donor Services
Toll Free 1.877.743.3413 / Phone 519.603.2250
Email kitchenergrandriver@rideforrefuge.org

Got questions about the Ride for Refuge?
info@rideforrefuge.org | 1.877.743.3413