The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Actress, beauty queen and Cranberry Portage native Shannon Smadella is about to embark on another bold venture Ð and for a good cause. On September 12, Smadella and three others Ð Canadian Olympian Christina Smith, sports enthusiast Jessie Huber and filmmaker D'Arcy Mann Ð will hop on their bikes and depart Calgary for a 4,000 km trek to Los Angeles to raise funds for the Red Cross. The Ride for Red, as it is being called, will last nearly six weeks and is planned to be one of the largest fundraisers for the Red Cross in both Canada and the United States. It will support the Canadian Red Cross and American Red Cross, with a fundraising goal of $1 million dollars for each organization through tour events and online and mail donations, among other initiatives. Among the four participants, there is not one experienced cyclist. But what they all have in common is a passion to help others. The Ride was founded by Smadella, who says it will be the first of many to come. The fundraiser will benefit not only Canadians and Americans, but also many people suffering around the world from disasters, like the recent ones in Haiti, not to mention the disasters in Canada and the U.S., such as flooding and forest fires. Smadella, who was crowned Miss Canada 2009, grew up in Cranberry Portage and spent the first 17 years of her life in Manitoba. She has been in Winnipeg in recent days hosting the 2010 Miss Manitoba pageant Ð a difficult decision as it takes valuable time out of her training program so close to the Ride. The riders have been training for many weeks now, but much of their time is spent obtaining sponsorships to cover the cost of participating Ð food, transportation, accommodations and bikes Ð so support is still needed. The cyclists are expected to arrive in Los Angeles on October 21, marking the end of their journey with a red carpet event with various L.A. celebrities and socialites on hand. A kick-off party will be held in Calgary on September 10 to raise funds for the ride. There might also be a kick-off party in Saskatoon prior to the Calgary party. In a letter to potential donors, Smadella wrote the following: "The Ride for Red is not only an amazing cause formulated (to) support the Red Cross organizations and the people that benefit from their assistance worldwide, but also to a chance to support a growing organization that will make a difference for millions of people around Canada and the United States, and eventually around the world. "The vision that we have with The Ride for Red is not small, it is global. It will bring around change, cut down boundaries, and inspire millions to do something that they never though they could do, whether big or small. "It will get the children involved in cycling and fitness, be an annual event for kids to partake in, adults as well, and be an organization that is looked at as one of the premiere fundraising events in Canada and the U.S., as well as the major fundraising event for the Red Cross in both countries. "Through offering this sponsorship opportunity, we invite you to be a part of the foundation of an organization and program that will positively influence millions. "'Be the change you want to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi.'" In addition to being crowned Miss Canada 2009, Smadella has been named Miss North America 2010 and Miss Canada United Nations 2010. She is also the CEO of Avanti Productions, an entertainment production company that works on documentaries, TV shows and films. Increasingly, Smadella Ð also known by the alias Abelle Avanti Ð is becoming known for her philanthropy. She is the celebrity ambassador for the American Red Cross's Santa Monica Chapter. Donations to The Ride for Red can be made online at www.therideforred.com or directly to the Red Cross or The Ride for Red. Ð Compiled from a news release and other information supplied by The Ride For Red.
