Youth peddle hard work to earn new bike

Work hard, earn a reward.

That's the message 35 youth in Greater Sudbury received through the Tim Hortons Earn-A-Bike program this year.

Each youth chipped in at least 30 hours of community service over the past few months, with the incentive being a new bike.

“Thirty hours of service, however they see fit, whether it's through their school and helping out with lunches, or through community cleanups,” said Eric Gosselin, safety co-ordinator, Greater Sudbury Police Service.

“It's just about being involved in the community. The rules really aren't that stringent, and we want them to understand that helping in the community is really worthwhile.”

The recipients range in age from 10 to 14 years old, and were selected from the Rainbow District School Board, the Sudbury Catholic School Board, the Conseil Scolaire Catholique du Nouvel-Ontario and the Conseil Scolaire Publique du Grand Nord de l’Ontario, as well as the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, the Lively Youth Centre and the Louis Street Community Association.

They all picked up their bikes at the New Sudbury Shopping Centre June 23. Each participant also took home new bike helmets and a goody bag.
Insp. Dan Markiewich, who helped spearhead this year's event, said he hopes the youth take the experience they gained through this program and carry it with them the rest of their lives.

“I hope through this program, the youth have earned more than a bike as a reward,” he said.

Partners in the program include Greater Sudbury Police Service, Tim Hortons and the Outside Store.