MAN'S CROSS-CANADA MARATHON BRINGS HIM TO ORILLIA

Stan Wawzonek is on a million-dollar mission.

The father of four and grandfather of eight, of Brantford, Ont., left St.
John's, Newfoundland, on April 30 on a cross-Canada tour to raise $1
million for and awareness of DARE Canada.

Wawzonek, 60, is expected to be in Allison at 3 p.m. on June 15, Barrie at
9 a.m. on June 16, and will be passing through Orillia at 3 p.m. that same
afternoon.

DARE, or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is a world-wide program taught to
aimed primarily at Grades 5 and 6 students by uniformed police officers.

During the 17-week course, officers discuss with the students the effects
of drugs and violence. The money raised will be used to train police
officers across the country how to teach the DARE program.

Wawzonek is affectionately referred to in his hometown of Brantford as The
Chip Man. His french fries truck has been a local favourite in Brant County
since his father started the business in 1950.

DARE got its roots in the United States two decades ago. More than 50,000
law enforcement officers around the globe are certified DARE instructors.
The program is taught in 51 countries in 26 different languages.

Harry Lawrenson was in St. John's to help Wawzonek kick-start his tour. A
member of the Ontario Provincial Police, Lawrenson is one of two DARE
training facilitators in the country. In addition to teaching officers how
to deliver the program, Lawrenson teaches DARE to more than 1,000 students
each year.

While he admits there are many programs introduced by police departments
that go by the wayside, Lawrenson is convinced the DARE program works.

"DARE is about a lot more than Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It deals
with life skills such as consequences, how to deal with pressures and
stress, ways to say no, how to build your self-esteem, and how to be
assertive."

Founder of Thank A Veteran campaign, which promotes the idea that veterans
should wear two poppies at Remembrance Day ceremonies so that they're
easily identified, Wawzonek took that message on the road in 1997 and 1999
when he encouraged people to remember the vets, sacrifice.

Wawzonek's friends George and Mildred Markle are accompanying him on his
latest adventure on wheels by following behind in their modest-sized motor
home.

Both George and Mildred will turn 69 during the time they're on the road.

Wawzonek admits that his four grown children worry when he's on the road.
However, he says he's cautious when cycling and doesn't take any chances
with his safety.

"I ride a mountain bike because I can get off the road. I have a mirror on
it and I watch and I listen and if there's danger coming up behind me, I
get off the road onto the gravel."

During his DARE cause, Wawzonek plans to travel about 100 kilometres a day
with stops in more than 90 towns and cities where he'll meet with volunteer
groups and dignitaries. His target date to reach Victoria, B.C. is July 31.
In all, he plans to cycle 8,934 kilometres.

For more information, contact DARE Canada at 1-877-617-DARE (3273).