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THANK YOU everyone for helping us create 74 Bursaries!

Opportunity Road Ride
BIKING FOR BURSARIES

Brian Smeenk, President, Merit Award Bursary Program has completed more than 2,200 km in a solo ride from Halifax to Toronto to raise funds for Merit Award Bursaries for students in the GTA.

The goal for this Ride is $75,000 which will provide 75 Grade 12 students with $1,000 Bursaries. We're almost there - you can donate now and help us reach our goal!

Thanks to everyone who came out to Ride the 30 km and 80 km Community Ride which met Brian and led him home! It was a great day for Merit!

Brian's Route

Why Am I Riding?

Talent is evenly distributed.

Opportunity is not.

One of my core beliefs is that hard work and perseverance are keys to success. When one achieves one’s goals that way, it brings a lot of satisfaction. I’ve always thought that I could overcome whatever skill deficiencies I might have through hard work and perseverance.

I’ll be applying that belief again while riding 2,300 KM over three weeks to raise money for Merit Award Bursaries. I also hope that we can raise awareness of the Merit Award Program. I will be talking to people along my trip to get their thoughts on the importance of education. And the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving our goals.

And the more people we can get helping “our students” reach their academic destinations (about 87% of our recipients get at least one post-secondary degree) – the better!

Brian Smeenk,
President, Merit Award Bursary Program

Community Ride
SEPTEMBER 24

Thank you everyone who joined us on Sunday, September 24 to welcome Brian home in the last leg of the Opportunity Road Ride.

Community Ride

Check out photos from the Community Ride held on Sunday, September 24th below.

"It’s (receiving a Merit Award) a reminder for me to never cut myself short of any opportunity life throws my way. This award also means I won't be walking through my post-secondary years alone because I just joined a community that has my best interests at heart."
– 2022 Merit Award Recipient

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