More than 1,000 guests converged on Georgian College’s Barrie Campus for the 21st Annual H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) motorcycle rally last July. The success of the event was entirely dependent on the participant’s experience during their stay in Barrie, says David Fox, H.O.G. rally co-ordinator.

“We needed to find a destination that would be able to accommodate a variety of events in a central location,” he says. “Having the rally at the College’s Barrie Campus made sense, but we couldn’t have pulled it off without the full support of Georgian staff members.”

Fox says the support of Georgian employees Patty Bradley, Ron Howden, Mick Kingston and Amanda Tarrant in particular helped make the event a winning one.

“The College was beyond helpful – from our initial query to their support during the weekend,” Fox says. “The rally was a major undertaking, but the Georgian team worked hand-in-hand with us through all of the stages of the planning process.”

Fox says Georgian students were a big part of the event as well. A team of volunteers were present throughout the weekend offering help to guests and acting as goodwill ambassadors.

Participant feedback clearly indicated the event was a boon to both the Huronia H.O.G. and the College. As a result, the group is donating $11,700 to Georgian’s Barrie Campus. The amount will be matched by the government through the Ontario Trust for Student Support program.

Darren Butt, Treasurer, H.O.G. says the endowment is a great way to recognize the efforts of Georgian student and staff members.

“I’ve been involved with Georgian since 1981 and my daughter is a graduate of the Nursing program at the Barrie Campus. There’s an energy and enthusiasm at Georgian that you can feel. We’re delighted with the outcome of the rally and that Georgian’s future students will be helped by the endowment,” he says.

The Huronia Harley Owners Group Chapter Award will be presented to a student entering their second year of any program at the Barrie Campus of Georgian College who volunteers their time through the Students’ Administrative Council or participates in a varsity sport on campus. The student must also demonstrate leadership skills, volunteer to help with extracurricular activities that benefit the entire school body and have financial need.

Contact Jennifer Matte, Awards Officer, at jmatte@georgianc.on.ca or (705) 728-1968, ext. 1211 for further details.