Nick Foley’s Ride for Inclusion

This past Monday, Nick Foley, a local Belleville man with a cause, stopped by Sagonaska to speak with our students about his passion.  Nick is currently biking across Canada, a journey that began in Victoria, BC on April 22^nd and ends in St. John’s, Newfoundland on July 26^th.   His ride is called “Ride for Inclusion” and it is a fundraising event that will help launch his organization, Move for Inclusion.

Move for Inclusion (MFI) is an organization that will raise money for local, national, and international inclusion charities and organizations.  One of the inspirations for Move for Inclusion came from another of Nick’s organizations called “Celebrate the Hero”. CTH aims to motivate young people to make a difference by focusing on the positive change they can make, big and small, in their lives and the lives of others on a daily basis.  We have been a part of the CTH movement at Sagonaska for the past three years and have daily messages on the announcements encouraging our students to celebrate the hero in each one of us.

The other, more significant inspiration for MFI is Brynn, Nick’s daughter, who was born in 2012 and diagnosed with Down Syndrome.  Nick shared with us a story of how, four days after Brynn was born, he overheard a conversation between two men were complaining that there was a child in a wheelchair in their children's class and they felt that student was taking away from the learning of others.  It was at that moment Nick knew he had to try and make the world a better, more inclusive place, for his beautiful daughter Brynn.  Through MFI he hopes to raise awareness and improve the world by encouraging inclusion and acceptance of all people without bias.

Fortunately for us, Nick stopped at our school on Monday as he made his way through Belleville along Highway 2.  He spoke about the importance of giving and accepting others and “winning the day you’re in”.  Our students found his stories entertaining and inspiring. We here at Sagonaska would like to contribute something to such a worthy cause.  There will be a collection bin on Tuesday at our Recognition Ceremony for anyone that would like to donate to Move for Inclusion.  Any contribution will be greatly appreciated.