For the past thirty years, Bikers Quebec has been an organization of motorcyclists who gather in different communities across the province. They are a community-focused group that often works to raise money and awareness for causes close to their hearts. On June 28, the Valleyfield division hosted a car wash fundraiser at the Legion in Ormstown to raise money for breast cancer. This event was sponsored by the Ormstown Legion.
Members of the Valleyfield branch of Bikers Quebec also participated in the Saint-Hyacinthe Ride des Filles on July 11. Luce Ménard, the director of the Valleyfield branch, explains that the car-wash fundraiser was done in preparation for the Ride de Filles.
Since 2009, the Ride de Filles, a ride for exclusively women bikers, has raised money for the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. What started as 50 people raising just over $6000 for the cause has turned into an annual tradition with over 1000 participants. To date, they have raised over $2,000,000. This year’s ride started at 6:30 a.m. with sign-ins and a light breakfast. The ride started at 9 a.m., and then at 5:30 p.m. everyone came together for dinner. At 8 p.m., there was a show to celebrate the day.
Participating in events like the Ride de Filles is a way for members of the Valleyfield branch to connect with people from Bikers Quebec across the province. “It’s always a treat when we see the others who live a little farther away.” Ménard says that at such events there are people from Montreal, Rimouski, the North Shore, and beyond.
There is also a misconception that all motorcyclists have a certain attitude. Ménard laughs at this idea and says, “We’re all moms, dads, or sometimes even the kids come along with their parents because they like the group.” At its core, Bikers Quebec is an organization with a mission to help the community and raise money for different causes. Ménard says that part of this helps with “changing the values and ideas of people who think we’re all criminals.”
The car-wash fundraiser raised around $925 for breast cancer research. To date, the group has raised over $5500 for the Ride de Filles, which is over their initial goal of $4500.