Riders on horseback and motorcycles and supporters of the cause came out in droves to Silver and Gary Peltier’s farm to support the Ride for a Child’s Wish.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation Canada fundraiser celebrated its 34th year and has raised nearly $2 million since it started. Silver and Gary have run the event since its inception every year except for two cancelled due to COVID.
This year, 46 horseback riders and three wagons went on a 10-mile trail ride and 43 motorcyclists rode 250 kilometres around the Interlake in the morning and ended back on the farm in the afternoon.
Silver credits the community support and the many helpers who come out yearly for the event’s longevity.
“We have so many fantastic people that come, really amazing volunteers,” she says. “It’s been getting harder to find volunteers because everyone is so busy but I can’t say enough about the ones who come out. They just show up and ask ‘What do you need me to do?’ which is so helpful.”
“It’s very much a generational thing,” she continued. “We have families who volunteer, and their kids get involved, so it’s very special.
In addition to volunteers who help with various tasks, they also receive physical donations from community members and organizations, ranging from a playpen with children’s games, a horse for the kids to interact with, pony rides, and much more.
Additionally, children got to meet their favourite Disney characters, get their faces painted, and run around a massive bouncy house.
A home-cooked dinner and barn dance with local band Prairieline capped off the night.
“The band is fantastic and the food crew is amazing,” said Silver. “They are very dedicated helpers and a good crew. Everything just works.”
Nuala Nazarko is the chapter director for Make-A-Wish in Manitoba. She said Ride for a Child’s Wish is one of Manitoba’s longest-standing third-party-run events across Canada. She credits Silver and Gary for their hard work.
“You can just see the heart and soul they put into this,” said Nazarko. “They’re amazing supporters of the work we do, and they care so deeply about the children. They have found this incredible way to bring together a whole community to support the cause and have a great day.”
“It’s really beautiful,” she continued. “They organize the food, the entertainment, the activities, and everything. We are honoured to come and attend.”
Silver says this event is a true labour of love for her and her husband Gary.
“My daughter said to me the other day, ‘When are you going to decide to stop this?’ and the answer is I don’t know, but I am retired now so I can focus more time on it.”
She says she’ll certainly be involved in 2025 as the event marks 35 years.
“We have met with committee members and are trying to think of some special stuff for next year,” she said. “We’ll start the planning earlier, hopefully, get a few more volunteers and in a couple of months we’ll hit the ground running.”
While they were still counting donations after the event, Silver says they raised $54,258.50 this year.
You can make donations and keep tabs on next year’s Ride for a Child’s Wish at makeawish.ca.
Tribune Photo by Jo-Anne Procter and Submitted
