Guardians of the Children ride to raise funds

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This article was published 21/08/2023 (626 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An organization dedicated to the victims of child abuse hosted their Empower the Children Ride on Aug. 12.

The ride organized by the newly formed Steinbach chapter of Guardians of the Children saw close to 55 riders take part in the trip that began at Deacon’s Corner and ended at Boston Pizza in Steinbach.

“All locations that we went to were fabulous,” Steinbach chapter president Paul Gibson who wears the name patch “Donkey” said. “They treated us like absolute all-stars.”

The organization has about 4,700 members across North America where it has existed about 18 years. It’s been based in Canada for about eight years. Steinbach’s chapter currently has about seven full members with others in the process.

Guardians of the Children calls themselves a biker organization that is dedicated to protecting the victims of child abuse. They partner with children advocacy agencies, victim assistance groups and others to raise awareness about the prevalence of child abuse as well as working with the victims and their families.

“The mission of Guardians of the Children is to recognize and react to child abuse and educate the public to do the same; to serve as advocates to provide strength and stability to families in crisis; and be an answer to the prayer of an abused child or teen for courage, support and protection,” their website states.

Members of the group will escort the children to court, attend school and social events at the child’s request and sponsor events that bring children together with others who have experienced similar trauma.

“We adopt the families, we work with the families, guiding them and helping support them through the challenging times that they have ahead of them,” Gibson said.

Addressing participants before the ride, he said raising funds is important with every penny going to the kids.

“We are trying to grow our fundraising,” he added, saying they want to be able to fund counselling and other support measures for those who need it.

“As you start to hear the Guardians of the Children name grow across Canada and across the United States, you’re going to understand that we have big aspirations for what we want our children to be able to do,” he said.

Gibson said the role they play can be challenging at times.

“Ninety percent of the commitment is very happy,” he said. “Obviously there are times when you start to hear the stories and you have to watch children relive these stories. It becomes very hard to stomach but it’s all part of being a Guardian of the Children.”

International ambassador Jamie Ginn, who goes by “Reaper”, also talked about the rewards of the work.

“It’s so easy to be in charge of chapters when you’ve got chapters like Steinbach and all the rest of them across Canada that they know what they’re doing, know why they’re doing it,” he said.

He shared a recent call that brought out an entire chapter, riding in the rain in response to a child’s need.

He talked about how members will drop everything, including work to respond and the urgency required.

“It’s trying at times. It’s stressful at times,” he said, adding the payoff comes a month or two after meeting these kids who have gone through more hell in five years than most do in 50.

He gave one example of a child who now throws herself into his arms, calling him “Uncle Reaper”.

“Ladies and gentlemen, that is our payment right there,” he said. “Seeing the smiles instead of the fear, seeing the confidence… that’s why we do what we do.”

Gibson said they’re always looking for people to bolster their ranks. They can either be full patch members or be welcomed into a support role.

“The motorcyles give the children a feeling of safety,” he said. “We’re not a motorcycle organization. We’re not a motorcycle club. What we are is we’re child advocates and we ride motorcycles.”

The bottom rocker patch on the vests also carries a saying meant to inspire people to say something if they suspect child abuse is occurring. “Don’t let your silence drown out their cries,” it states.

MLA for Lac du Bonnet, Wayne Ewasko also spoke to the assembled bikers, telling them it was events like this that help bring awareness.