CCS gears up for Velocity Ride and $70K fundraising goal

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon Community Services (CCS) held their 2025 Velocity Kick-Off Party this past weekend to gather riders, team captains, and fellow neighbours to get pumped for the big ride on June 14.

The event was at Four Corners Bakery Eatery, one of their sponsors. It featured longtime riders, CCS team members, and other longtime sponsors such as Michael Maloney and Isolde Boettger from Silcotech.

Boettger shared that she was present for the first-ever Velocity ride in 2018 and considered how the event has evolved since then.

“Look how it's growing now,” said Boettger as she looked at the people gathered around, wearing Velocity shirts ranging from present day to the very first ride. “This is the really wonderful story about it.”

Another attendee who knows Velocity's growth very well is past CCS Board Chair Ian Armstrong, who was instrumental in creating Velocity.

Armstrong first became associated with CCS when his mother had Alzheimer's and came to live with him.

For her to remain active, Armstrong said they used the CCS busing program to allow her to get around, and it was then that he decided to join the Board.

Armstrong came up with the idea for the cycling event and co-founded it with Wayne Noble, and it's been running ever since then.

“It's nice to see that we've been able to do something that will help our community and continue to help our community in the future,” said Armstrong.  

This year marks Councillor Christina Early's seventh year on the Board for CCS, where she currently serves as Board Chair.

She shared what it means to her to be a part of it.

“I can't tell you how grateful I am that I've been part of this incredible organization that does so much for so many in need,” she shared. “It's an exciting day to kick off Velocity, and really what it does is provide vital services for our senior citizens. Many people don't realize some of the services that we promote, inclusive of transportation, and we look forward to this event growing year over year, and really I'm appreciative to all the riders that support.”

Vice chair on the Board for CCS and co-captain of Ted's Terra Cotta Trail Blazers, Anne Marie Hayes, shared some of the many reasons she is looking forward to riding on June 14.

Her co-captain, Ted Webb, who is 92 years young, inspires Anne Marie and many in Terra Cotta to ride.

“We are a team of neighbors and friends who have celebrated the pains and joys of this beautiful life together, and we ride together to raise money for Caledon Community Services to keep seniors aging with dignity and grace at home,” said Hayes.

She shared that her husband, Ian Hayes, rode with Velocity in its first year, and she joined the year after.

They had ridden the event together since then; Hayes said that they both worked in home health care for many years and dedicated their careers to helping seniors.

Hayes sadly lost her husband unexpectedly more than a year ago.

“This is my second time riding without him,” said Hayes. “So, myself and the team we're dedicating our ride to him and CCS has actually named the 25-kilometer route in his memory this year.”

To add one more reason to her list, Hayes dedicates her birthday to the 2025 Velocity ride.

“I've asked all my friends and family instead of getting me a birthday present to please contribute to the ride and the fundraising efforts,” shared Hayes. “We're about halfway there for our fundraising goal and we're confident we can pull it in.”

CCS Volunteer Summer Gibson has been there for three years. She originally joined CCS because of the organization's deep roots in the community.

“It's just such a warm place, and to be in the community of Caledon and to be able to give back you get to meet a lot of people from all different walks of life,” said Gibson.

Another member of the team, Mariia Kupriianova, Chief Development Officer for CCS, shared one of the many reasons it's so important to have events like Velocity.

“One of our clients that I had the privilege to meet, a local resident, she's 94. She relies on Caledon Community Services transportation now that she's living in a senior residence. She wants to stay independent. This is what our Velocity ride is all about. It's helping our seniors stay connected, stay independent, stay active in the community that we all love, that we all call home,” said Kupriianova.

Geraldine Aguiar, CEO of CCS, spoke to Caledon's growing number of seniors, showcasing why these services are vital.

She shared that the population in Caledon is 35 per cent adults over the age of 65, and by 2031, that number is expected to rise by 10,000 people.

“More and more seniors in our community feel like they have to leave, like they have no options. Caledon Community Services is seeking to ensure that older adults can age in place,” said Aguiar.

“It's important for me, as I look forward into the future, that we all have those services that we need,” shared Aguiar.  “Championing that today is like an investment for the future. That's what makes me so proud about this organization and about the community. We can achieve amazing things we've just got to come together. Now's the time.”

The Velocity ride will take place at Caledon East Park and feature route options of 10km, 25km, 50 km, and 100 km.

Velocity's goal this year is to raise $70,000 to benefit transportation services and health and wellness programs to enhance the independence and quality of life for Caledon Seniors.

Riders can register now at www.ccsvelocity.ca.