Big Bike Giveaway
Hope this message finds you healthy and happy!
Just want to send a huge thank you for continuing to support our program and providing us with such a quick and smooth transition to a new storage facility. Words aren’t enough to express our appreciation!
We’d like to share a little recap of Big Bike Giveaway’s 2024 success and our heart-felt gratitude for once again, showing up and supporting our free program with your kind storage space.
In 2024 we were able to reach our goal of giving away over 500 free bikes to Londoners. With the financial support from our sponsors and the in-kind contributions of our partners, BBG was able to operate on a high scale while we collected over 400 bicycles from the London Environmental Depots (11,147 pounds of metal, rubber, and wire reused and diverted from the landfill) and 99 bicycles were stripped (1,785 pounds of parts) so materials were properly recycled.
With the in-kind support from Farhi Holdings we were able to store over 500 bicycles at a time in a powered, ventilated, heated, and safe space. Without your contribution of a storage space for our free bikes, we would absolutely not be able to operate our social enterprise.
Thank you!
Through our partnership with Goodwill Industries and our arrangement with Walmart Canada, the London store locations provided us with almost 100 new, unsaleable bikes to go towards the program.
Thanks to the financial contributions and project sponsorship from the City of London, TRY Recycling, and The Better Bin Company, BBG was able to purchase parts and materials to service and giveaway 70 bicycles that will be used as primary transportation for Londoners to get to school and work. According to cycling statistics Canada, the number of people cycling to work has almost tripled since the pandemic. Our bikes were built stronger and will last longer, providing wheels that people can reply on every day.
We had a lot of happy kiddos this year thanks to our continued partnership with London Health Sciences Centre Road Safety program and the Children’s Health Foundation. Once again, they helped us put helmets on the BBG youth. Brain injury is the leading cause of death in people 1 to 44 years of age. Preventable injuries account for more death in children and youth than all other causes of death combine. The focus of the Injury Prevention team is to create awareness, educate and advocate to prevent injuries before they occur. All of our family recipients received the generous coupons from McDonald’s and this enabled us to give them extra joy as each and every one of them expressed their gratitude for this kind gift. One of the best parts of family-time is creating the memories and connections over shared food. Food is love!
Additional giveaways and partnerships in 2024 included London Cycle Link’s Ride to Thrive TVDSB program, Men’s Mission and 519 Pursuit free bikes to our unhoused, N’Amerind Friendship Centre rural gifts, My Sister’s Place women’s rides and Salvation Army‘s Hamper program among many other individual and family giveaways throughout the year.
We’re so very grateful for our partnership with Farhi Holdings and as our program continues to grow, we truly see the difference in the community! Time and time again, during the giveaways this year, we were thanked by the receivers for the fact that we make it so easy for them to recycle their bikes and get new ones.
London Basket Brigade 2024
Winter Shelters for the Homeless
Farhi Holdings partnered with WISH to create winter shelters for the homeless and vulnerable population in London, facilitating the usage of over 38,000 sq. ft. next to the Family Shelters of London. Photo via Global News
Farhi Holdings partnered with WISH to create winter shelters for the homeless and vulnerable population in London, facilitating the usage of over 38,000 sq. ft. next to the Family Shelters of London. Photo via Global News
Children’s Health Foundation
Magical Winter Ball
We are proud to support the Children’s Health Foundation and its Magical Winter Ball, an annual event dedicated to raising vital funds for paediatric care and research. We want to help ensure that this enchanting evening continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in need.
Supporting Our Veterans
Supporting the Windsor Regional Hospital
Farhi Holdings Corporation is honoured to be a Champion Sponsor of the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation Charity Golf Tournament 2023, supporting Dr. Richard Boyd’s Men’s Health Program. This event, held at the Essex Golf & Country Club, aims to raise vital funds for enhancing health services in the Windsor community. Farhi Holdings is proud to play a key role in contributing to this initiative, which not only promotes men’s health awareness but also underscores the importance of giving back to the local community.
London Basket Brigade
Farhi Holdings Corporation is proud to support the London Basket Brigade, a charity dedicated to helping families in need during the holiday season. By providing food hampers filled with essential items, the London Basket Brigade fosters a spirit of giving and community in the London area. We are honoured to contribute to this meaningful initiative, helping to ensure that every family can enjoy a warm and fulfilling holiday meal.
In Support of Children’s Hospital
Envisage Pregnancy Services Donation
Dear Shmuel,Wow! I am just overwhelmed by your generosity that you have showered us with! Thank you so much for the beautiful overnight packages you donated toward our dessert night fundraiser. Your contribution was a major part of the evening – I am very grateful!
Because of special people like you we are able to impact women, children, & families’ lives.
Thank you again.
Darrelyn
Supporting the Children’s Museum of London
Read more…
Donating Hotel Rooms in Windsor for Frontline Staff
COVID-19 Initiatives
The pandemic has turned our beloved City of London, our country, and our world upside down.
It has left millions unemployed, tens of thousands of businesses have or about to close their doors, and tens of thousands more are homeless today.
During this time, we at Farhi Holdings have taken it upon ourselves to help reinforce our communities wherever possible. We have donated millions of dollars towards initiatives aiding our front-line workers, our most vulnerable, worthy organizations within our communities and millions more helping our own long-standing tenant base get through this unprecedented hit to our economy.
Big Space for Big Bike Giveaway
St Joseph’s Health Care Foundation
Giving Back Throughout the Years
We have contributed over $30 million toward philanthropic initiatives over the past 35 years to make a positive impact by helping at-risk youth and support sustainable communities.
Helping At-Risk Youth
At FHC, we believe that every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves to have the opportunity to be a kid. That’s why we work to ensure that at-risk youth have an opportunity to participate in organized sports and community activities that teach them essential life lessons about teamwork and healthy relationships.
FHC is a proud multi-million dollar sponsor of youth athletics programs including the Junior London Knights, the YMCA, and local soccer, hockey, and swim teams – keeping kids active and helping them become team players within their community.
Supporting Sustainable Communities
In our efforts to support sustainable communities in Southwestern Ontario, FHC has been pleased to generously sponsor the following community organizations:
- The Ivey Heart Institute
- London Health Sciences Centre
- Atlosha Native Family Healing Centre
- The Salvation Army
- Youth Opportunities Unlimited
- YMCA (London)
- The London Children’s Museum
- The Banting House
- The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County
- Pollinative
- SickKids Foundation
- Community Outreach
- Pathways for Children and Youth (Kingston)
- Arts and Culture (London and Toronto)
- … and many others!
Sharing Our Success
Farhi Holdings Corporations believes in sharing our success. We understand the value of social responsibility and strive every day to improve the communities in which we operate.
FHC is actively involved in many philanthropic endeavors, with a focus on assisting our diverse not-for-profit tenant base. Some work with vulnerable populations, while others are leaders in the cultural sector.
Our annual support for these not-for-profits is now close to $1 million.
In addition, company president Shmuel Farhi is pleased to offer business advice and his personal encouragement to numerous worthwhile causes.
Atlosah Native Family Healing Centre
In 2010, Farhi donated a downtown heritage property to Atlosha Native Family Healing Centre at a cost of $1.3 million. The centre gives First Nations people access to training programs, computers, employment and literacy resources, an elders and youth meeting room, a catering service and community store, in addition to 16 units rented out as affordable housing to men, women and families at risk.
The hundreds of people who come to the Atlohsa Native Family Healing Centre to chat with friends, get a warm meal or to look something up on the Internet, do so through a back door.
Commitment to Downtown Revitalization
FHC believes that downtown is the heart of every community, and that a vibrant downtown is essential for a city’s economic, cultural, and social well-being.
In November 2011, we sold our property at 137 Dundas Street to Fanshawe College, facilitating the first phase of their new downtown campus.
Fanshawe’s Centre for Digital and Performance Arts opened in January 2014, bringing more than 400 students to the heart of downtown London.
A PARTNER FOR THE ARTS – In early 2013, Farhi Holdings Corporation was delighted to support Artfusion in their creation of The Stephen Watson Memorial Mural, which transformed the exterior wall of 197 Dundas Street into London’s largest mural.
Help Save the Bees – Pollinative Pathways
Donation to Windsor Hospice
Farhi Holdings are proud sponsors of the Windsor Champion portion of the Mackenzie Tour with PGA Canada.
At the kick-off event we presented the Windsor Hospice a gift of $33,900 to continue their incredible work within the Windsor community.
Donation to St THomas
Winter Shelters for the Homeless
Farhi Holdings partnered with WISH to create winter shelters for the homeless and vulnerable population in London, facilitating the usage of over 38,000 sq. ft. next to the Family Shelters of London. Photo via Global News
Children’s Health Foundation
Magical Winter Ball
We are proud to support the Children’s Health Foundation and its Magical Winter Ball, an annual event dedicated to raising vital funds for paediatric care and research. We want to help ensure that this enchanting evening continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in need.
Supporting Our Veterans
Supporting the Windsor Regional Hospital
Farhi Holdings Corporation is honoured to be a Champion Sponsor of the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation Charity Golf Tournament 2023, supporting Dr. Richard Boyd’s Men’s Health Program. This event, held at the Essex Golf & Country Club, aims to raise vital funds for enhancing health services in the Windsor community. Farhi Holdings is proud to play a key role in contributing to this initiative, which not only promotes men’s health awareness but also underscores the importance of giving back to the local community.
London Basket Brigade
Farhi Holdings Corporation is proud to support the London Basket Brigade, a charity dedicated to helping families in need during the holiday season. By providing food hampers filled with essential items, the London Basket Brigade fosters a spirit of giving and community in the London area. We are honoured to contribute to this meaningful initiative, helping to ensure that every family can enjoy a warm and fulfilling holiday meal.
In Support of Children’s Hospital
Envisage Pregnancy Services Donation
Dear Shmuel,Wow! I am just overwhelmed by your generosity that you have showered us with! Thank you so much for the beautiful overnight packages you donated toward our dessert night fundraiser. Your contribution was a major part of the evening – I am very grateful!
Because of special people like you we are able to impact women, children, & families’ lives.
Thank you again.
Darrelyn
Supporting the Children’s Museum of London
Read more…
Donating Hotel Rooms in Windsor for Frontline Staff
COVID-19 Initiatives
The pandemic has turned our beloved City of London, our country, and our world upside down.
It has left millions unemployed, tens of thousands of businesses have or about to close their doors, and tens of thousands more are homeless today.
During this time, we at Farhi Holdings have taken it upon ourselves to help reinforce our communities wherever possible. We have donated millions of dollars towards initiatives aiding our front-line workers, our most vulnerable, worthy organizations within our communities and millions more helping our own long-standing tenant base get through this unprecedented hit to our economy.
Big Space for Big Bike Giveaway
St Joseph’s Health Care Foundation
Giving Back Throughout the Years
We have contributed over $30 million toward philanthropic initiatives over the past 35 years to make a positive impact by helping at-risk youth and support sustainable communities.
Helping At-Risk Youth
At FHC, we believe that every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves to have the opportunity to be a kid. That’s why we work to ensure that at-risk youth have an opportunity to participate in organized sports and community activities that teach them essential life lessons about teamwork and healthy relationships.
FHC is a proud multi-million dollar sponsor of youth athletics programs including the Junior London Knights, the YMCA, and local soccer, hockey, and swim teams – keeping kids active and helping them become team players within their community.
Supporting Sustainable Communities
In our efforts to support sustainable communities in Southwestern Ontario, FHC has been pleased to generously sponsor the following community organizations:
- The Ivey Heart Institute
- London Health Sciences Centre
- Atlosha Native Family Healing Centre
- The Salvation Army
- Youth Opportunities Unlimited
- YMCA (London)
- The London Children’s Museum
- The Banting House
- The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County
- Pollinative
- SickKids Foundation
- Community Outreach
- Pathways for Children and Youth (Kingston)
- Arts and Culture (London and Toronto)
- … and many others!
Sharing Our Success
Farhi Holdings Corporations believes in sharing our success. We understand the value of social responsibility and strive every day to improve the communities in which we operate.
FHC is actively involved in many philanthropic endeavors, with a focus on assisting our diverse not-for-profit tenant base. Some work with vulnerable populations, while others are leaders in the cultural sector.
Our annual support for these not-for-profits is now close to $1 million.
In addition, company president Shmuel Farhi is pleased to offer business advice and his personal encouragement to numerous worthwhile causes.
Atlosah Native Family Healing Centre
In 2010, Farhi donated a downtown heritage property to Atlosha Native Family Healing Centre at a cost of $1.3 million. The centre gives First Nations people access to training programs, computers, employment and literacy resources, an elders and youth meeting room, a catering service and community store, in addition to 16 units rented out as affordable housing to men, women and families at risk.
The hundreds of people who come to the Atlohsa Native Family Healing Centre to chat with friends, get a warm meal or to look something up on the Internet, do so through a back door.
Commitment to Downtown Revitalization
FHC believes that downtown is the heart of every community, and that a vibrant downtown is essential for a city’s economic, cultural, and social well-being.
In November 2011, we sold our property at 137 Dundas Street to Fanshawe College, facilitating the first phase of their new downtown campus.
Fanshawe’s Centre for Digital and Performance Arts opened in January 2014, bringing more than 400 students to the heart of downtown London.
A PARTNER FOR THE ARTS – In early 2013, Farhi Holdings Corporation was delighted to support Artfusion in their creation of The Stephen Watson Memorial Mural, which transformed the exterior wall of 197 Dundas Street into London’s largest mural.
Help Save the Bees – Pollinative Pathways
Donation to Windsor Hospice
Farhi Holdings are proud sponsors of the Windsor Champion portion of the Mackenzie Tour with PGA Canada.
At the kick-off event we presented the Windsor Hospice a gift of $33,900 to continue their incredible work within the Windsor community.
Donation to St THomas
Farhi helps up Youth centre agency set up shop
