An ultramarathon cyclist is parking his bike for good following a three-week victory lap.
Last month, North Kildonan resident and world record holder Arvid Loewen completed his final cycling event in support of Mully Children’s Family, a street mission in Nairobi, Kenya.
For his 20th philanthropic endeavour in 19 years, Loewen cycled 100 kilometres every day for 20 consecutive days.
Last month, North Kildonan resident and world record holder Arvid Loewen completed his final cycling event in support of Mully Children’s Family, a street mission in Nairobi, Kenya.
It was a relatively relaxed event for the 67-year-old, who set the Guinness World Record for farthest distance cycled in one month in July 2020, when he pedalled 11,618 kilometres in 31 days.
But Loewen’s purpose last month wasn’t to push himself to his limit or break any records — it was to celebrate a two-decade ministry that has seen him ride 350,000 kilometres while raising $12 million for the Kenyan street mission, which helps thousands of destitute children annually.
Loewen says his body has been telling him that it’s time to stop.
“What cycling did for me is it created a platform that allowed me to share what’s in my heart,” he says. “I will still be an ambassador (for MCF), but I will no longer be able to do it from the seat of a bike.”
Last month’s ride took Loewen back to his first philanthropic cycling event in 2005, when he transported three teenagers from MCF across Canada in 30 days.
The teens took turns sitting on the back of a modified tandem bicycle.
Loewen rode that same bike last month, with a photo of the three teens attached to it.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Riverview Health Centre needs gift shop attendants with strong customer service and communication skills, and the ability to handle cash and debit transactions. The opening is Thursdays, 12:45 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. Apply online at http://wfp.to/CLU by Aug. 20.
Immigrant Centre Manitoba needs a class facilitator to help permanent residents prepare for the citizenship test. The role involves leading six two-hour classes focused on the Discover Canada guide. The volunteer should be a fluent English speaker with experience in conducting classes or workshops via Zoom, proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint, and knowledgeable in Canadian history and geography. The facilitator must have strong communication skills, the ability to engage with people from diverse backgrounds, and be comfortable working with adult learners at varying English proficiency levels. The classes are offered through Zoom and in person at the centre. Apply at http://wfp.to/6J6 by Sept. 30.
1JustCity needs drop-in volunteers at the Pimicikamak Wellness Centre site to help with its community programs, including lunch and dinner services. Volunteers take on tasks such as serving coffee and snacks, tidying up the space and ensuring a warm and inclusive environment for all visitors. No special skills are required, and volunteers can choose from daytime or evening shifts at any of the three drop-in locations. Apply at http://wfp.to/CLt by Dec. 22.
Event-day volunteers are needed for the MS Bike ride to Gimli on Aug. 24 and 25. MS Canada needs help throughout the event to ensure it runs smoothly and that participants have an enjoyable experience while biking to raise funds. Volunteers are welcome on one or both days, with shifts ranging from two to eight hours. To view role descriptions and shifts, go to http://wfp.to/CL5. For more information, email karyn.heidrick@mscanada.ca. Apply by Aug. 20.
Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre needs volunteers for Dalnavert Days, Sept. 7 to Sept. 8. Volunteers are needed to help with various tasks such as setup and tear down, manning the information booth, ensuring crowd control and safety, and serving as a Kids’ Zone assistant. For more information on the roles, go to http://wfp.to/CLZ. Apply at http://wfp.to/CLV by Aug. 21.
Hood and Dagger Productions, a new not-for-profit community theatre company, needs more board members, particularly people with expertise in accounting, marketing or fundraising. The bylaws include a director indemnity clause, and director and officer insurance is in effect. Incorporated in January, the company’s mandate is to build community through community theatre. It strives to make shows community events instead of only theatre. Cast, crew and board members are volunteers. Email hoodanddagger@outlook.com by Aug. 23.
Edge Skills Centre, a not-for-profit organization that provides English language, adult education and career services to the community, needs volunteers to join its board of directors. The board is particularly in need of a treasurer. The role involves financial oversight, reporting, compliance, risk management, and educating board and staff members. The volunteer should have financial expertise, audit and tax-compliance knowledge, risk-management skills, and be able to provide financial insights for strategic planning. Email bkms@mymts.net by Aug. 31.
Misericordia Health Centre needs volunteer interviewers to collect survey responses from patients receiving care. Full orientation and training will be provided. The openings are Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, ideally 10 a.m. to noon or 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 204-788-8134 or email volunteer@misericordia.mb.ca for more information. Apply online at http://wfp.to/Cm0 by Aug. 31.
Melanoma Canada needs peer support volunteers. If you’ve been diagnosed with melanoma or skin cancer or have been a caregiver, you can offer hope and support. Extensive training and ongoing support is provided. Must be able to handle difficult conversations, have empathy and active listening skills, and be able to navigate the health-care system. This is a remote volunteering role, with flexible hours. Apply at mzawadzki@melanomacanada.ca or http://wfp.to/y5e by Sept. 2.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
He posted reflections on his Facebook page throughout last month’s “Amazing Grace Celebration Ride,” each one detailing one of his cycling events.
His feats include completing Race Across America, an endurance event that gives competitors just 12 days to ride 4,765 kilometres from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md.
In 2011, he set the Guinness World Record for fastest time to cycle trans-Canada, when he completed the 6,040-kilometre journey from Vancouver to Halifax in 13 days, six hours and 13 minutes. (The record has since been broken.)
Loewen was a successful executive at Palliser Furniture when he and his wife, Ruth, visited MCF for the first time in 2005.
They were so moved that the following year, Loewen resigned at age 49 to volunteer full time to create awareness and raise funds for the mission.
“My ultimate goal isn’t to be the world’s best cyclist,” he says. “My ultimate goal is to be a hope for the children. We can truly, truly make a difference if we just step out in faith and say, ‘Yup, I’m going to do this — I’m going to do my best and the rest will fall into place.’ And it has.”
Hundreds of cyclists joined Loewen on July 22 for the last eight kilometres of his celebration ride, which ended at his church, North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren.
At the church, the parade was welcomed by a trumpet player playing Amazing Grace.
The ride was followed by a celebration in the church, where attendees heard from Loewen, donors and former support crew members, and watched video highlights from the last 20 years.
“We couldn’t have dreamt up a more rewarding sendoff and celebration,” Loewen says.
Now that he’s finished with ultramarathon cycling, Loewen is looking forward to going camping with his wife and spending time with their 11 grandchildren.
“I’m very comfortable saying I’m walking away from (ultramarathon cycling),” he says. “We will look back only with a realization (of), ‘Wow, we are so fortunate.’”
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
Aaron Epp
Reporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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