MINDEMOYA—As part of the annual Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Tour de Force Heroes in Life Cycling Series and the new OPP Youth Foundation Marc Hovingh Memorial Youth Bike Ride and Rodeo held earlier this month was the announcement of the new OPP Youth Foundation Provincial Constable Marc Hovingh Memorial Bursary for Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) students who are continuing their post-secondary education.
“Lianne Hovingh and Family, in conjunction with Manitoulin Secondary School (and the OPP Youth Foundation) are going to be presenting an annual bursary of $2,500 for one youth graduating from high school which will help them as they go further in their education,” said Sandy Poredos, executive director of the OPP Youth Foundation.
“Provincial Constable Marc Hovingh was a champion of youth in his community, and we are thrilled to honour Marc and his legacy with the Youth Foundation involvement,” said Ms. Poredos.
Ms. Poredos noted the OPP Youth Foundation would be presenting six bicycles and equipment to youth identified across Manitoulin Island and helmets were being provided through the Ontario Provincial Police Association Credit Union, noting that the OPP Youth Foundation Marc Hovingh Memorial Youth Bike Ride and Rodeo, was coordinated by former local OPP officer constable Marie Ford with the local police services on the island.
“Although the ride this morning is for enthusiastic cyclists (with 30-, 70- and 140-kilometre rides) we are holding the youth bike ride this afternoon. Marc (Hovingh) was all about youth and the community,” said Ms. Poredos.
To begin the ceremony the names of all fallen police officers in the OPP and Northwest region were read out. This was followed by local piper Iain McGale playing ‘Amazing Grace.’
“I would like to welcome everyone here this morning for the Northwest and Northeast Tour de Force Heroes in Life Cycling Series,” said Adam Belanger, provincial coordination for youth engagement with the OPP. “I would like to thank everyone for turning out here today, including our Survivors of Law Enforcement (SOLE) group. One is going to be riding with us today.” He pointed out this was the fourth ride being held across Ontario this year.
OPP Northeast Region Chief Superintendent Mike Pilon said, “it is so nice to see such a large group on hand here today, including the SOLE group. I would like to thank Sandy (Poredos) and the Youth Foundation. I wish all of you a hearty welcome, and hopefully ‘the big guy’ will stop the rain outside and the sun will come up for all the riders. Have a safe and good ride.”
Ms. Poredos said, “It is with pride that the community and youth component have been added to the ride taking place in the morning and pointed out six bicycles were to be presented in the afternoon to identified youth on Manitoulin. “We look forward to their smiling faces when they receive their bicycles. I would like to thank Marie (Ford) for organizing this afternoons’ youth and community event.”
OPP Superintendent Dumont said “one of the great things about this program is that it brings the community together. We have the opportunity to partner with our neighbouring police services, the local OPP, UCCM Anishnaabe Police Services and Wikwemikong Tribal Police Services (WTPS). I hope everyone enjoys a very safe ride today.”
Ms. Hovingh, on behalf of the SOLE group said, “today I have the honour of representing my beautiful SOLE sisters. We can’t thank everyone enough for remembering those loved ones we have lost, and to make them part of your story.”
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and ride safe and well and we hope good memories are made today,” said Ms. Hovingh.
Mr. Belanger noted that an anonymous donor recently made a $10,000 donation to SOLE.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said, “as we gather this morning and the names were read of all the fallen officers as we could hear (in the Mindemoya arena) the skies opening up outside, we remember the sorrow the members of SOLE carry. I wish you the positive energy and purpose you give us to serve our communities.”
“It is an awful way for someone to lose their life doing something they love,” said Commissioner Carrique. “It is very important that those who have fallen are never forgotten. Thank you, Sandy, for being the heart of the family. And I would like to thank James Killeen Chief of Police for the UCCM APS and the many WTPS officers here today, as well as our local OPP representatives, along with the Ministry of Natural Resources and officers from Toronto, Durham, Dutton, Sudbury and across the province. We appreciate each and every one of you here today.”
After the ceremony Ms. Hovingh said of the student bursary, “I am overwhelmed. I am absolutely overwhelmed by this and so thankful that Marc will be remembered in this way, and that his life is going to be remembered, and it will be local youth on Manitoulin who will benefit from the bursary.”