On Thursday, April 28th, Lanark County will welcome Imam Mohamad Jebara as he cycles through our region for Ride United — a seven-day, 360-kilometre journey to raise funds for vulnerable children.
The funds raised will support United Ways in Lanark, Ottawa, Prescott-Russell, and Renfrew Counties and their work to help kids be all that they can be.
In Lanark County, 2,590 children live in poverty. A father of two young kids, Imam Mohamad Jebara wants to ensure all children in our community have support they need to succeed in life.
“I know there are children in our communities who face challenges and I want to make a difference by helping them,” said Imam Jebara. “As one of the region’s faith leaders, I feel this is my role and my responsibility.”
Children in this region are also below the provincial averages in math and writing for several grades, and over 9 per cent of youth 20-24 years old do not have a high school diploma or equivalent. Funds raised through Ride United will provide critical programming including after-school and pre-school activities that ensure children in the community succeed.
Along the way, Imam Jebara will meet with some of the incredible people supported through the work of United Ways in the regions. He will also meet with faith leaders in the region to call on them for support.
Imam Jebara kicks off his journey on Saturday, April 23 and will cycle through Renfrew, Mississippi Mills, Almonte and Carleton Place from Thursday, April 28th to Friday, April 29th. On Thursday, Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month riders will join Imam Jebara on his ride through the township, stopping at the Almonte Old Town Hall at 3:30 p.m. to address the public. The community is welcome and encouraged to attend and join youth from the Municipality’s very successful Friday evening program, who will be there to welcome the Imam, along with local dignitaries and community faith leaders. On Friday, April 29th, the Imam will begin the final leg of his journey from Carleton Place to Ottawa with a special send-off. In the morning, Imam Jebara will visit Arklan Community Public School, where United Way Lanark County Partner, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County, runs their After School Program for local youth. He will meet the students, mentors, teachers, local dignitaries, faith leaders, and will discuss the importance of helping kids be all that they can be.
“We are grateful to Imam Jebara for his support and hope that members of our community will welcome him as he rides through Lanark County,” said Fraser Scantlebury, Executive Director, United Way Lanark County. “This is an amazing initiative and it’s truly inspiring to see the support and generosity of this remarkable faith leader.”
To make a donation to Ride United please visit www.rideunited.ca. You can also follow Imam Jebara’s journey on Twitter at #RideUnited2016.
