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Northern Ontario Ride for Sight FAQ

Questions about the Ride for Sight and the Foundation Fighting Blindness

 

What is Ride for Sight?

What is the Foundation Fighting Blindness?

Where is the Ride for Sight this year?

How can I participate in the Ride for Sight?

Can I volunteer for the Ride for Sight?

How does the money I raise help?

 

Questions about Registration

 

How do I register for Ride for Sight?

Why do I have to register?

Why do you want me to register online?

How do I register online?

How do I become a Rider?

Can I go to the event if I don’t do the Ride?

Do I have to register if I will not be in the Ride but plan to attend the event?

Do I have to register and raise the minimum if I am a passenger on a bike?

 

Questions about the Event

 

Where is Searchmont Resort?

What activities will be happening at Ride for Sight?

What are the hours?

Where will the parade be leaving from?

Can I join the parade en-route?

Will there be camping available?

Are there hotels near-by?

 

Questions about Fundraising

 

How do I raise money for Ride for Sight?

Where do I get the pledge forms?

What is a sponsor?

What can I use the fundraising tool for?

What is my Personal Fundraising Page?

How do I get to my Personal Fundraising Page?

How do I make changes to my Personal Fundraising Page?

How do I change my fundraising goal?

How do I change my Personal Message?

How do I add or change pictures or videos to my personal page?

Can I manage my cash and cheques from my sponsor using the online fundraising tool?

Can my sponsors donate online?

Will my sponsors receive tax receipts?

Do you have fundraising tips?

What is a High Miler?

Ride for Sight and The Foundation Fighting Blindness

 

What is Ride for Sight?

Ride for Sight is the longest-running charity motorcycle ride in the country.  The Ride for Sight has raised over $20 million for the Foundation Fighting Blindness – Canada’s leading charity funding sight-saving research.

 

What is The Foundation Fighting Blindness?

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is Canada’s largest charitable organization raising funds for vision research.

The Foundation has granted over $25 million to researchers at hospitals and universities across the country as they search for the causes, treatments and cures for retinal diseases that affect over one million Canadians living with vision loss. 

 

Where is Ride for Sight this year?

Ride for Sight Northern Ontario 2015 will be held at Searchmont Ski Resort, 30 minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie.

 

How can I participate in Ride for Sight?

You can participate in Ride for Sight in a few ways:

 

Become a Participant

To become a participant, simply register and raise a minimum of $75. This will give you access to the Ride for Sight weekend events, which includes your camping site, two breakfasts, bike games, two nights of live entertainment,  as well as our renowned motorcycle parade throughout the area to experience the true beauty of the North.

Money raised can be submitted online or by mail to:

Ride for Sight

890 Yonge St., 12th Floor

Toronto, ON M4W 3P4.

 

Volunteer:

We are always looking for volunteers to assist with Ride for Sight’s coordination and execution. You can volunteer on event day, or you can work as a community coordinator to raise awareness of Ride for Sight in your community. If you are interested in becoming a coordinator or a volunteer, email rfsnorthern@gmail.com.

Please note that everyone, including the planning committee and volunteers are asked to do a personal fundraising campaign to help support the cause.

 

Sponsor a Participant:

If you know a participant and want to sponsor them, you can donate any amount through either their online fundraising page with your credit card or to them directly with cash or cheques. There is no limit to the number of sponsors a participant can have. Sponsoring is a great way to donate and show your support if you cannot make it to the event.

 

Can I volunteer for Ride for Sight?

We are always looking for volunteers to assist with Ride for Sight’s coordination and execution. You can volunteer on event day, or you can work as a community coordinator to raise awareness of Ride for Sight in your community. If you are interested in becoming a coordinator or a volunteer, email rfsnorthern@gmail.com

Please note that everyone, including the planning committee and volunteers are asked to do a personal fundraising campaign to help support the cause.

 

How does the money I raise help?

The money raised at Ride for Sight supports the Foundation Fighting Blindness. From there, funds are directed to innovative researchers seeking to find the causes, treatments and cures for retinal diseases that affect over one million Canadians. 

 

 

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Registration

 

How do I register for Ride for Sight?

You can register online or CLICK HERE to download the registration form:

 

Ride for Sight

890 Yonge St., 12th Floor

Toronto ON M4W 3P4

 

Why do I have to register?

Registering allows the Ride for Sight team to know how many people will be attending the event, giving us the ability to plan properly. This way we can minimize waste and maximize the amount of money supporting sight-saving research.

Registration will be available at the event as well.

 

Why do you want me to register online?

We are asking participants to register online because it is easier to count and track donations. Registering online also gives you access to your personal fundraising page, the online fundraising tools which helps you make the most of your Ride for Sight experience, and donors will receive a tax receipt immediately after making a donation.

 

 

How do I register online?

  1. Go to rideforsight.com and click the Log In/Register tab at the top right or CLICK HERE.

  2. If you are not already registered, click the “Register Now” icon on the left of the page.
  3. The next page will give you three choices. If you have not participated in Ride for Sight you can click ‘Register Now’. If you already have an account you can sign in using your username and password or your Facebook account.

 

How do I become a participant?

To become a participant, you must raise a minimum of $75.

 

Can I go to the event if I don’t ride a motorcycle?

Yes, everyone is welcome at the event. You must register as well as raise the $75 minimum.

 

Do I have to register if I will not be in the parade but plan to attend the event?

Yes, if you plan to attend the event, you must register as well as raise the $75 minimum.

 

Do I have to register and raise the minimum if I am a passenger on a bike?

Yes, if you are a passenger you will need to register as well as raise the $75 minimum.

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The Event

 

Where is Searchmont Resort?

Searchmont Resort is at 103 Searchmont Resort Rd., Searchmont, ON P0S 1J0

CLICK HERE FOR A MAP

 

What activities will be happening at Ride for Sight?

Please refer to the itinerary.

 

What are the hours?

Registration at the event starts at 12pm of Friday July 10th. The event will close Sunday, July 12th after breakfast.

 

Where will the parade depart from?

The parade will be leaving from Searchmont Resort on Saturday July 11th. There will be no police escort, but we will have police support. However, the first stop will be at Great Lakes Honda, 415 Pim St, Sault Ste. Marie and you may join in at the departure from there after registering for the event.

 

Can I join the parade en-route?

To ensure the safety of all riders, we encourage all participants to start the ride at the kickoff location. This will ensure all riders stay together and have all the proper instructions. However, the first stop will be at Great Lakes Honda, 415 Pim St, Sault Ste. Marie and you may join in at the departure from there after registering for the event.

 

Will there be camping available?

Yes, camping is available for tents, campers and RV’s. Unfortunately however no hook-ups will be available.

 

Are there hotels near-by?

Numerous Hotels are available in Sault Ste Marie (approximately 30 minutes from event). Limited accommodations are available at the resort (Villas and Chalets) and are rented on a first come first serve basis. A list of B&B’s and other accommodations will be available on this website..

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Fundraising

 

How do I raise money for Ride for Sight?

As a participant you are asked to raise money in support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. You will be responsible for collecting pledges and money to meet the $75 fundraising minimum, and are encouraged to go above-and-beyond so we can make a huge impact on vision research. You may download and print a pledge sheet HERE.

 

We encourage all our participants to use the online fundraising tool and set up your personal fundraising page. It is a simple and personal way to raise funds. It allows you to post pictures, stories and videos in the lead up to the Ride and after. It is a great way to keep your sponsors updated on your progress.

 

Where do I get the pledge forms?

The pledge forms can be downloaded from the Ride for Sight website. You may download and print a pledge sheet HERE.

 

What is a sponsor?

A sponsor is someone who has donated money in support of your ride.

 

What can I use the fundraising tool for?

Once you have signed in to your online fundraising page, you can contact your sponsors, track your fundraising and recruit friends to join you at the Ride for Sight. You will be able to write a personal message detailing why you ride in support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

You can also manage your personal fundraising page.

 

What is my personal fundraising page?

Your personal fundraising page is the public page that tracks your fundraising progress. Everyone who registers online will have a page automatically set up for them. You can personalize this page with your own messages, goals, photographs and videos.

 

How do I get to my personal fundraising page?

  1. Click on the Log in/Register tab on the Ride for Sight home page.

  2. Log in with your username and password.

  3. Click the fundraising tab on the left, or across the top.

  4. Along the top you can click “visit page” this will take you to your personal fundraising page. This is the link you can send to your friends or post on Facebook to ask them to support your efforts.

 

How do I make changes to my personal fundraising page?

In order to make changes to your Personal Fundraising page you must log in via the Log In/Register tab on the Ride for Sight website.

 

How do I change my fundraising goal?

  1. Click on the Log in/Register tab on the Ride for Sight home page.

  2. Log in with your username and password.

  3. Click the fundraising tab on the left, or across the top.

  4. Click ‘change’ beside the Fundraising Goal amount.

  5. Enter the amount you would like to fundraise.

  6. Click ‘Save’.

  7. The amount will change and you will see ‘Update Successful’ in green below the amount. Your personal fundraising page will be updated immediately.

 

How do I change my personal message?

  1. Click on the log in/register tab on the Ride for Sight home page.

  2. Log in with your user name and password.

  3. Click the fundraising tab on the left, or across the top.

  4. You will see the ‘Your Page Name’ and ‘Your Page Message’ boxes. Here you can change or personalize your message.

  5. Make any changes you wish. We encourage you to tell people what the Ride means to you and why you support it. Get creative! Even offer incentives for donations. Some participants make offers like “Support me and I’ll buy you lunch!”

  6. Click ‘Save Changes’ below the ‘Images and Videos’ boxes. Your personal fundraising page will be updated immediately.

 

How do I add or change pictures or videos to my personal fundraising page?

  1. Your personal fundraising page comes loaded with some standard Ride for Sight images and videos. However, we encourage you to add your own images and videos.

  2. Click on the Log in/Register tab on the Ride for Sight home page.

  3. Log in with your username and password.

  4. Click the fundraising tab on the left, or across the top.

  5. Click the ‘Add Image’ or ‘Add Video’ button above the image and video boxes

  6. A dialog box will come up. Here you will select the image from your computer and click ‘Upload Image.’

  7. Another dialog box will pop up. Add the image title and description here and click ‘Save Changes.’ Your personal fundraising page will be updated immediately.

 

Can I manage my cash and cheques from my sponsor using the online fundraising tool?

  1. Click on the Log in/Register tab on the Ride for Sight home page.

  2. Log in with your username and password.

  3. Click the fundraising tab on the left hand side, or across the top.

  4. Click ‘Manage Cash or Cheque’

  5. Enter all the information for your sponsor. Please be sure to provide the full name and address. We use this information to send tax receipts to your sponsors.

  6. Click ‘Add Donation.’ Your personal page will update immediately

  7. Your cash and cheque sponsors will receive tax receipts.

 

Please note the name permissions on this page:

"I give permission for my name to be displayed on this participant's Personal Page which can be viewed by the public."

"I give permission for my donation amount to be displayed on this participant's Personal Page which can be viewed by the public."

Uncheck these boxes should your sponsors wish to prevent their name from being made public on your fundraising page.

 

Can my sponsors donate online?

Yes, your personal fundraising page is secured for e-commerce, meaning that your sponsors can donate safely with their credit card right on this page. They can choose not to donate anonymously. Neither you, nor any staff member at Ride for Sight will see any credit card information.

 

Will my pledges receive tax receipts?

Charitable donations equal to and above $20 will receive a tax receipt via email or mail. Please be sure to provide the full name and address. We use this information to send the tax receipts.

 

Do you have fundraising tips?

Sure do! We have posted some tips online. If you have any questions about fundraising, the staff at Ride for Sight is happy to help. Simply email rideforsight@ffb.ca

 

What is a High Miler?

High Milers are Riders who have raised $1,000 or more for Ride for Sight. We recognize that this kind of fundraising is difficult and we like to reward those Riders who have reached this incredible milestone. High Milers get special event invitations, receive a variety of VIP event benefits and are often a source of inspiration and information for our mission. 

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