Pubdate: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 Source: Oakville Beaver (CN ON) Copyright: 2002, Oakville Beaver Contact: http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/ob/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1600 Author: Wilma Blokhuis Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) CYCLING ACROSS CANADA TO PROMOTE DARE Why would a 60-year-old grandfather who has cycled across Canada twice cross the country again on two wheels? It can be said Stan Wawzonek is cycling across Canada on a dare. Not only is the father of four and grandfather of eight crossing the country by bicycle as 'his way of seeing Canada,' he's doing it for DARE - Drug Awareness Resistance Education. He's 'zigzagging' 8,935 kilometres across Canada, cycling a combination of roads and trails, stopping at more than 90 communities along the way. He stopped in Oakville last Friday afternoon, at the 3,461-kilometre mark, to meet DARE officers at the Halton Regional Police Service headquarters. Then, it was on to Milton and Burlington for two public appearances on Saturday before stopping in Hamilton and Ancaster on Sunday on his way to Brantford, his hometown. There Wawzonek is known as The Chip Man -- he's been in the French fry business for 52 years. Cycling across Canada for DARE is his way of saying 'thank you' to the uniformed officers who teach Grade 6 children in 14,000 schools across Canada "about the evils of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and bullying. "My oldest grandson went through DARE and I've attended five DARE graduations," said Wawzonek. "I'm completely sold on it, and you meet the nicest officers in DARE." The 17-week DARE course is the largest and most widely implemented drug and violence prevention program worldwide, states a release from DARE Canada to promote Wawzonek's ride. DARE was launched in the United States about 20 years ago, and is currently taught in 26 languages by some 50,000 police officers in 51 countries worldwide. Wawzonek initially hoped to raise $1 million for DARE, however the fundraising aspect of his trek has given way to creating awareness. In Halton, seven officers are assigned to DARE. About 5,000 Grade 6 children in 105 elementary schools graduate from the DARE program each year in the region. The DARE program is reinforced in Grade 8. "We owe it to our children to give them help in resisting the temptation to experiment with cigarettes, drugs and alcohol," said the marathon man, who is cycling about 100 kilometres a day. On "good days" he rides 160 kilometres. "My experience of bringing up four children and watching them raise my eight grandchildren tells me we have to make sure the program is made available in more schools across Canada. "I feel very fortunate," continued Wawzonek. "My kids never did the drug thing and I hope my eight grandchildren won't. "On my ride across the country, I want to increase awareness of the benefits the program can bring. I plan to meet with volunteer groups and dare them to set up DARE programs in their communities following my visit. "DARE is a great program. Nothing compares to it." He hopes to complete his ride in Victoria, B.C., on July 31. He began the trek in St. John's, NFLD., on April 30. His well-worn 27-speed bike mountain bike has stood up well. "I had only three flats on the road, and on Thursday, my day off, I got new tires and four new brake shoes put on." The weather hasn't been as favourable. "I've had miserable weather . . . snow, ice and cold winds," said Wawzonek, enjoying last week's warm sunshine. "But, I don't complain about the weather because nobody making me cycle across Canada." In 1997 and 1999 he cycled across Canada to promote his Thank-a-Vet program, and personally thanked veterans for their war time contributions. Wawzonek's Thank-a-Vet program, encouraging veterans to wear two poppies on Remembrance Day so they will be easily recognized, has been officially adopted in Brantford. "And, in between my cross-Canada rides, I've been on my bike only six times," he said, adding he's lost 25 pounds since starting the ride. "I hope to be able to do this when I'm 70." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake