Pedals with Purpose: How Waverley Mitsubishi Rode Together to Help Cure Kids’ Cancer
Pedals with Purpose: How Waverley Mitsubishi Rode Together to Help Cure Kids’ Cancer
Posted on August 7, 2025
Pedals with Purpose: How Waverley Mitsubishi Rode Together to Help Cure Kids’ Cancer
At Waverley Mitsubishi, giving back is a part of who we are. Whether we’re supporting local events, sponsoring community causes, or standing behind our own team members in their efforts to make a difference, we believe in showing up with purpose and with heart.
Last August, that spirit came to life in a powerful way when our very own Rose Garcia took on the Ride to Cure Kids’ Cancer, a national cycling campaign that raises funds for children battling cancer in Canada. What began as one person’s decision to take action turned into a dealership-wide movement that brought our team closer together and helped raise money for an incredibly important cause.
One Rider’s Mission
Rose Garcia first joined the Ride in 2024 with a clear goal: ride 500 kilometres throughout the month of August and raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research and treatment.
Fueled by determination and compassion, she didn’t just commit. She inspired. Her passion for the cause struck a chord with everyone at the dealership. Conversations started happening in the lunchroom. Donation jars appeared. People asked how they could help.
And help they did.
Team Waverley Steps Up
Our team rallied around Rose from day one. Through in-person donations and payroll deductions, we raised over $500 in support of the campaign. But more than that, we joined her on the road.
To show our support and help her close in on her 500km goal, we organized a group ride from Waverley Mitsubishi to FortWhyte Alive and back. The event took place on a warm Thursday evening in late August, and the turnout was incredible.
Employees from every department showed up with bikes, helmets, and water bottles, ready to ride. Even a few folks who hadn’t been on a bike in a while dusted off their wheels and joined in.
The atmosphere was light, the energy was high, and the route filled with prairie views and tree-lined trails offered the perfect backdrop for a ride that was as meaningful as it was fun.
Friendly Rivalries and Good Vibes
Of course, no team ride is complete without a bit of friendly competition. There was plenty of chatter beforehand, especially among the management team. Kirk was determined to outride Nelson and Damien, and the three of them set a fast pace right from the start. Whether he actually did beat them depends on who you ask.
What mattered more than finishing first was riding together. And that’s exactly what we did, pushing through each kilometre as a united group, each turn of the pedal adding to Rose’s journey and to the impact we hoped to make.
A BBQ Finish Line
When the group rolled back into the dealership lot after the ride, they were greeted by the smell of barbecue and the sounds of teammates cheering them in. As part of our appreciation for everyone’s efforts, not just for the ride but also for helping the dealership navigate a recent systems shutdown, Rino and the leadership team hosted a staff barbecue that brought the day to a perfect close.
We upgraded the menu from our usual BBQ setup, and no one had to worry about bringing lunch that day. It was a great chance to unwind, share stories from the ride, and recognize the collective effort that went into making the event such a success.
More than Just Kilometres
By the end of the month, Rose had cycled 216 kilometres. That’s an impressive achievement by any standard, and one she carried out with grace and grit. While she fell just short of her 500km goal due to weather and scheduling challenges, she far exceeded expectations when it came to inspiring others and raising awareness for the cause.
What made this campaign special wasn’t just the distance ridden or the dollars raised. It was the way it brought people together. Watching employees from different departments ride side by side, seeing managers and team members high-fiving at the finish line, hearing the laughter during the post-ride BBQ — it all reminded us of the kind of workplace culture we’ve built here.
Why We Ride
Cancer in children is one of the hardest things any family can face. It doesn’t just impact the child. It affects parents, siblings, caregivers, and entire communities. The Ride to Cure Kids’ Cancer is more than a fundraiser. It’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and solidarity.
We rode last August not just to support Rose, but to stand with every child and family going through the unimaginable. And we’re proud to say that our dealership did more than show up. We made a difference.
What’s Next?
While the 2024 ride is now a memory, its impact still lingers. Rose is already considering taking on the challenge again in the future, and based on how our team responded last year, we know she won’t be riding alone.
We’re grateful for everyone who supported the campaign, donated, volunteered, rode, or simply encouraged others to get involved. The energy, generosity, and commitment shown by our team was a reflection of everything we stand for at Waverley Mitsubishi.
Until Next Time
As we look ahead, we carry the spirit of that ride with us not just in our memories, but in how we continue to show up for the causes that matter. Whether it’s riding for kids, sponsoring local events, or helping those in need, we know that together, we can keep making a difference.
Thank you, Rose, for leading the way. And thank you to every rider, donor, and teammate who joined her on this journey.
We'll see you on the next ride.