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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 8, 2014 | 4 Clemons hopes fundraiser will take in $1M by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver The Michael Pinball Clemons Foundation (MPCF) and Free The Children (FTC) are working together to remove educational barriers and empower communities overseas to end poverty. Tonight (May 8), the two charitable organizations are hosting the WE|U|NIGHT fundraiser in Toronto to help build 100 new schools in developing countries through FTC's Adopt a Village initiative. The program provides children with the tools, knowledge and skills necessary to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. Former Toronto Argonauts coach and player Michael Pinball Clemons of Oakville, said when the MPCF builds a school, "it becomes the catalyst for everything else." "Helping to give education is a character-building process with people giving of themselves to help people that they may never know or see. We're giving the gift that has the potential to give for many generations," said Clemons, who hopes to raise $1 million through tonight's event. Clemons said the project consists of `five pillars' -- school, clean water, health, micro-economy and agriculture. "The school is a catalyst for the community. That's why we chose to do schools and that's why we chose to do it in such a significant way. It is a great program and project," said Clemons. The partnership between the two charities began in 2009 after Clemons and a team from MPCF travelled to Kenya with Free The Children. Upon returning home, the Oakville resident and MPCF committed to raise funds to build 131 schools with FTC. Since then, the group has allocated enough money to build an additional 30 schools that provide education to more than 6,000 children. "Free The Children is creating a whole sustainable community with the Adopt a Village program. The two charities coming together are giving the greatest gift of all, which is education," said the Oakville resident. FTC started building schools last summer in Kenya, Haiti, Ecuador, rural China, India, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nicaragua. In Haiti, MPCF donated money to build 25 schools and classrooms. The group is also contributing to a clean water project in Dos Palais and to the erection of additional dormitories at a rural orphanage. "The schools are built with materials that are indigenous to the climate, so we don't have situations where something breaks and they don't know where to get it from or it doesn't come naturally," said Clemons. "There are so many things that are done right in this whole process." He noted each school will take a year to complete, once funding is provided. More than 95 schools are completed, 23 `Pinball' Clemons are currently under construction and the rest are preparing to break ground. "Between what we do May 8 and the others who are working towards their goal of raising $10,000 to build a school, we will build 100 schools times $10,000 or raise a million dollars," said Clemons. The former CFL coach and player said the higher level of education you have, the "greater health you have in every stage of your life." "If you give a man a fish, he eats for a day, but if you teach him how to fish, he eats for a lifetime. That's the whole idea of inviting education in developing countries. We want to help those who have it worst, domestically and around the world." For more information about the effort, visit www.universe.com/listings/we-u-night-tickets-toronto-6VVSL/1399588200. Cycle Oakville will be cycling for moms Sunday. The local cycling group co-founded a year ago by Oakville Councillor Pam Damoff, recently unveiled a series of new social bicycle rides to celebrate the group's accomplishments over the last year and share ideas for 2014. The first social bicycle ride was the Kidical Mass Easter Ride. The second takes place on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11, with the second annual CycloFemme ride, which starts at Gairloch Gardens at 2 p.m. This leisurely ride will take sidestreets to arrive at Lakeside Park, and is open to all ages and abilities. Bike clinics, too Several bike clinics, in partnership with Racer Sportif, have also been planned. These clinics will be held at Racer Sportif, 151 Robinson St., and include lessons on basic bike repair, education and safety. The Share the Road Cycling Coalition also offers a new UCycle program -- a community partnership engaging Sheridan College in cycling education and initiatives. New website Cycle Oakville has also launched a new website, www.cycleoakville.ca, made possible through a grant from Oakville Community Foundation's Environment Fund. For more information on the rides and clinics visit the events section of www.cycleoakville.ca or the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cycleoakville. Anyone interested in becoming involved with Cycle Oakville can visit the website or email info@cycleoakville.ca for more information. Go for a bike ride with your Mom Sunday MEMBERSHIP CARD Take in annual Police Day on Saturday People interested in learning more about law enforcement while having some fun are invited to attend the Halton Regional Police Service's 15th annual Police Day celebration at 1151 Bronte Rd., Saturday. The event will be held rain or shine and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Police Day is intended to give visitors an opportunity to learn first-hand about law enforcement through a series of interactive displays and presentations. The theme of this year's event is Building Community Partnerships. Highlights for the day will include: tactical rescue demonstrations, Children's Safety Village tours, Halton Regional Police Service Pipes & Drums, children's rides, live bands and a barbecue. Indoors, guests will be able to visit numerous booths offering information about emergency services, diversity in policing and volunteering and recruiting opportunities with the Halton Regional Police Service. Free parking will be available at the north and south sides of the regional centre facility, located off North Service Road. Parents are advised tours of the Safety Village are limited so they should register early in the day to secure a time slot. Police Day is also Prescription Drug Drop-off Day and a table will be set up so members of the community can drop off their expired and potentially dangerous prescriptions.