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Grandfather on7 crociv,-Canada trek to promote DARE program By WILMA BLOKHUIS Special to The Champion Why would a 60-year-old grandfatber wbo bas cycled across Canada twice cross this country again on two wheels? 15 can be said Stan Wawzonek is cyclmng across Canada on a dare. Not only is the father of four and grandfa- tber of eigbt crossmng tbe count- try by bicycle as "bis way of seeing Canada," be's doing it for the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) programn. He will travel 8,935 km across Canada, cycling a coin- bmnation of roads and trails and stopping at more tban 90 comn- munities along tbe way. He stopped at the Milton police station Saturday mom- ing and was headed Sunday to Brantford, bis hometown. There Mr. Wawzonek, known as 'The Cip Man', bas been in tbe Frencb fry business for 52 years. Cycling across Canada for DARE is is way of saying tbank you to tbe uniformed officers wbo teacb grade 6 chul- dren in 14,000 scbools across Canada "about the evils of drugs, tobacco, alcobol and bullying. "My ldest grandson went tbrougb DARE and 1 attended five DARE graduations," said Mr. Wawzonek. "I'm comn- pletely sold on it, and you meet tbe nicest officers in DARE." Tbe 17-week DARE course is tbe largeat and most widely- implemented drug and violence prevention program world- wide, stated a release from DARE Canada to promnote Mr. Wawzonek's ride. DARE was launcbed in tbe United States about 20 years ago and is currently taugbt in 26 languages by some 50,000 police officers in 51 countries. Mr. Wawzonek initially boped to raise $1 million for DARE, bowever tbe fundrais- ing aspect of is trek bas given way to creatrng awareness. In Halton, seven officers are assigned to DARE. About 5,000 grade 6 cildren ini 105 elementary scbools graduate fromn tbe DARE programn eacb year in tbe region. The DARE program is reinforced in grade 8. "We owe it to our cbildren to give tbemn belp in resisting tbe temptation to experiment witb cigarettes, dmugs and alcobol," said tbe maratbon mani wbo's cyclmng about 100 kmn a day. On "good days" bie rides up to 160 km. "My experience of brmnging up four cildren and watcbing tbemn rise my eigbt grandcbil- Photo by PETER McCUSKER Stan Wawzonek made a stop in Milton Saturday. dren tells me we bave to make sure tbe programt is made avail- able in more scbools across Canada. I feel very fortunate," con- tinued Mr. Wawzonek. "My kids neyer did tbe drug ting and 1 bope my eigbt grandebil- dren won't. On my ride across tbe country, 1 want to increase awareness of tbe benefits tbe program can bring. 1 plan to mecs witb volunteer groups and dare tbem to set up DARE pro- grams in tbeir communities fol- lowing my visit. DARE is a great program. Notbing com- pares to it." Mr. Wawzonek said be bopes to complete is ride in Victoria, BC July 31. He began tbe trek in St. Jobn's, Nfld. April 30. His well-womn 27-speed mountain bike bas stood up well, said Mr. Wawzonek. I bad only tbree flats on tbe road, and on Thursday (last week), my day off, 1 got new tires and four new brake sboes put on." Tbe weatber baan't been as favourable. 've bad miserable weatber - snow, ice and cold winds," said Mr. Wawzonek. "But, 1 don't complain about tbe weatber because nobody's making me cycle across Canada." He cycled solo tbrougb Oakville, Milton and Burlington, baving given is crew a break. Long-time friends George and Mildred Markle, wbo will botb celebrate tbeir 69tb birtb- days on tbe road, bave been following Mr. Wawzonek in tbeir motorbome. "They just celebrated tbeir 5t wedding anmiversary." In 1997 and 1999, be cycled across Canada to promote is Thank-a-Vet program, and per- sonally tbanked veterans for tbeir war-time contributions. "And, in between my cross- Canada rides, I've been on my bike only six imes," be said. The Board of Directors and Staff are pleased to NVITE YOU TO A'TEND OUR 48th ANNUAL MEETING Wednesday, June 19, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at Oakville Public Library 120 Navy St., Oakville Gucat Speaker: Rick Tobias Yonge St. Mission *1 aul / 0k e6 Miy.!lia The Canadian Champion, Frday June 14, 20021 ~ INPOWIR SOCCER CAMP 2002 (905) 878-5664 For kids entering Sr. Kindergarten Up to Gr. 6 in the fail. August l2th - August l6th 9 a.m. tonoon O$35 Register now! Space is imited!'& INCLUDED ARE: Soccer Bail, T-Shirt & Photo (ours to keep!) 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