A bicycle that started out as a door prize has spun into a fundraising initiative in support of the United Way Elgin Middlesex. The now “Sharing the Ride” initiative began with the bicycle being awarded as a door prize at the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce’s July Business after 5 meeting. The winner asked for the bike to be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the United Way.
The bike auctioned for $450. The next day the winner was contacted and told that they wanted to “buy” the bike off them for a $450 donation and that’s where the wheels really started turning.
The bike has now changed hands close to 10 times and raised over $4,100.
Chamber President and CEO Bob Hammersley says that the whole thing happened by accident.
Hammersley says that he believes this is an example of good things happening when people work together. They are wheelie hoping to raise $10,000 by the time the United Way kicks off their fall campaign in mid September.
Business and Individuals that have “purchased” the bike so far include:
-Legend’s Tavern
-Gorman-Rupp Canada
-ARC Financial Planning Group
-St. Thomas & Elgin Home Builder’s Association
-Van Pelt’s Business Solutions
-Simply Pure Water
-RE/MAX Centre City Realty
-Forest City Castings
-Ray Bosveld-HollisWealth
-Shawn Southern
-Mark Girdauskas
-Bob Hammersley
