RIDE A HORSE - GRANT A WISH

Thirteen years ago a gentlemen in Kelowna, BC, Walter White, started a trail ride to raise money for the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada BC/Yukon Chapter. The money was given to the foundation to grant wishes to children with high-risk life-threatening illnesses. He was looking for people to take up the cause and start a ride in their area.

The Provincial Wish Trail Ride started with one in Kelowna and is currently hosting 29 rides across British Columbia as far North as Fort St. John, west to Bowen Island, East to Castlegar and throughout the Fraser Valley. With a ride on Saltspring Island and several on Vancouver Island we've managed to cover the whole Province.

Since we've started we have given the foundation a grand total of $647,000, having passed the half a million dollar mark and having granted over 60 wishes. The Provincial Wish Trail Ride is the largest donor for the BC/Yukon Chapter of the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.

During 2008 alone the Provincial Wish Trail Ride surpassed their goal of raising $100,000 and actually raised $120,000.

We are riding to grant wishes. All monies raised are used by the Foundation for the many children who desperately need a wish as they undergo treatments for their illnesses.

We start out each spring by designing our pledge forms on our home computers. All the information about the ride is on the form. We ask that riders bring the pledge forms and money raised to the ride site and our volunteers will be on hand to take the proceeds in return for prize tickets at each ride location.

Pledge forms can be emailed or picked up at local feed and tack stores in all ride areas. The Childrens Wish Foundation of Canada BC/Yukon will issue official tax receipts for all pledges of $10.00 or more as they are 100% Canadian Charity.

At the same time we also ask for the support of businesses by donating prizes to be given back to the riders. We also ask for support from local grocery stores, retailers and individuals. Prize draws are made after each ride at a free post-ride BBQ.

We are all volunteers and expenses are kept at a bare minimum so that all proceeds go to the children.

The Annual cheque presentation to the Children's Wish Foundation BC/Yukon Chapter is made in August of each year representing the grand total from all rides.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this great cause make 2009 your year to RIDE A HORSE - GRANT A WISH! For more information contact Provincial Ride Coordinator Mary Neufeld at 604-855-9355 or email wishtrailride@hotmail.com , or our Vancouver Island Coordinator Jenn Burgoyne at 250-537-4994 or email at jenn@provincialwishtrailride.com

For more information  on the Children's Wish Foundation check out www.childrenswish.ca

Click here for Pacific Horse & Prarie Ad

Walter White - the Founder of the Provincial Wish Trail Ride - receiving a BC Handmade original replica of a covered wagon from Stampede Tack And Western Wear - Cloverdale BC in 2007

THANK YOU FOR THE COVERAGE OF ALL WISH RIDES IN...

The Canadian Horse Journal
Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal
Horse Community Guides

www.horsejournals.com