Volunteers needed for Make-A-Wish Aug. 24
Thirty-four years after its establishment, the organizers of the annual Ride for a Child’s Wish near Woodlands are preparing to host the event again to raise money for children’s wishes.
The Wish Ride is held yearly at Silver and Gary Peltier’s farm. Equestrians and motorcyclists band together to either take the ten-mile horse trail ride or the 250k motorcycle ride around the Interlake in support of Make-A-Wish Canada. This year, the Ride will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The small committee that has organized the event this year consists of five people and several volunteers who come before, during, and after the Ride to help set up and tear down tables, tents, and everything else.
The Peltiers love putting on the Wish ride.
“Seeing the smiles of the Wish kids and their families when they receive their wishes makes it all worth the time and energy it takes to put this big fundraising event on,” shared Silver.
Many children are waiting on their wishes, and all the money raised at the Woodlands ride goes directly to Make-A-Wish Manitoba to be used for as many wishes as possible. Last year, over $55,000 was raised, which likely granted about five or more kids their wishes. Though they do not raise money for a specific child, the Peltiers often have someone from a Wish family come and talk about the Wish that their child received and what it meant to them.
Some of the Children’s wishes that have come true through Make-A-Wish have included visiting Disney World, meeting idols, getting bedroom or backyard makeovers, having a puppy, or getting computer equipment. Every child who receives these wishes is living with a critical illness, and the wishes provide them with some relief from their fear and anxiety.
Fred West, a local to Inwood, generously contributes to the annual Ride by donating a horse. He always comes up with a filly or colt, a yearling horse to make the event extra special. This year’s yearling is a 2023 Buckskin gelding.
It will be an all-day event that continues into the evening. Registration for both rides begins at 9 a.m. The trail ride starts at 11 a.m. from Peltier’s property, and the motorcycle ride begins at the same time from Warren Fuels. Each Ride will last three or four hours.
The trail ride passes by the back of Peltier’s property and follows a little gravel road through some ditches and other people’s properties before returning to its home base. The motorcycle ride, which was added to the Wish Ride about eight years ago, leaves Warren, passes through Teulon, up to Inwood, then around through Eriksdale and Lundar and back home.
The Ride is family-friendly and includes children’s entertainment that starts around 3:30 p.m., with face painting, inflatable bouncers, and plenty of games for the kids. At 5:30 p.m., a huge supper will be served with a pork roast, a thousand pieces of chicken, baked potatoes, homemade beans, coleslaw, homemade buns, corn on the cob, and ice cream for dessert.
And after everyone has enjoyed the Ride and supper, the Wish Auction will follow dinner. There is also a large raffle with plenty of amazing prizes, some provided by local businesses. The fun and dancing continue into the wee hours, with Prairieline providing musical entertainment.
“We are so looking forward to hearing them play here,” said Silver.
The Peltier’s always look and hope for more volunteers, and even the smallest contribution helps. Anyone willing to show up, even just to set up or take down or with general questions, can contact Silver at (204)-461-0640 or silverpeltier@gmail.com.
