R2//NYC Raises Over $760,000

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On Tuesday, September 19, the R2//NYC team of 41 cyclists departed from Toronto to embark on a five-day, 850-km journey to New York City, raising much-needed funds for Campfire Circle. Hailing from the Greater Toronto Area, Niagara region, Kitchener-Waterloo, Caledon, and Huntsville, this passionate group of riders united to support kids with cancer or serious illness and their families.

Since 2018, R2//NYC has taken the route less travelled across Ontario, New York State, and Pennsylvania, culminating in an epic finish in Times Square.

This year’s ride was no different. It began with a favourite camp tradition: a heartwarming, pool noodle tunnel send-off at Campfire Circle’s Toronto Office.

More camp traditions and stories of impact were shared throughout the five-day journey. Riders Circled Up every morning and celebrated small wins during Steps in the Right Direction over evening dinners.

Finding gratitude for the day and motivation for what’s ahead was what kept our riders going as they cycled an average distance of 170 km a day and climbed 9,00 metres, the equivalent of summiting Mt Everest.

This year’s adventure took riders through idyllic small towns like Watkins Glen, serene landscapes like Fingers Lake and Letchworth State Park, and through the breathtaking Appalachian and Catskills Mountains. The fifth day was the most challenging, as riders faced cold and stormy weather. But despite the conditions, our team was all smiles coming into Times Square.

The success of R2//NYC depends on the generosity of our sponsors. We are grateful for the continued support of our Presenting Sponsor, Great Wolf Lodge, a champion for R2//NYC for many years. Its General Manager, Keith Simmonds, was a visionary and set this year’s ambitious goal of raising $1 million dollars. Honouring his mission, the team Keith’s Wolfpack collectively raised over $145,000 to date.

Volkswagen Canada, our official vehicle partner, provided a fleet of cars to our volunteer support crew, which played a key role in ensuring our riders were safe, hydrated, and nourished throughout the ride.

Scotiabank, our Campfire Sponsor, helped provide a more seamless experience from transportation to accommodation and everything in between.

Circle Up and S’Mores Sponsors Cidel Asset Management, Fiera Capital Foundation and Entro, infused camp elements of team-building and togetherness as we gathered round for morning fuel and celebrated in our last night dinner, complete with special awards.

“Spending five days with an incredible bunch of likeminded people, meeting new ones and all coming together for a collective goal, riding our bikes distances far and beautiful, being immersed in the camp vibe every day, and the incredible support we riders get from our support crew and the Campfire Circle staff, are all why I keep coming back. Until you experience it, you can’t imagine it,” says Elise Yanover, a returning rider.

This year, R2//NYC has raised more than $760,000, representing more than 300 weeks of camp experiences in paediatric hospitals, local community events, and at overnight camp. A huge thank you to our riders, donors, staff, and volunteers for making 2023 such a huge success.