CYCLING ACROSS CANADA TO PROMOTE DARE

Why would a 60-year-old grandfather who has cycled across Canada twice
cross the country again on two wheels?

It can be said Stan Wawzonek is cycling across Canada on a dare. Not
only is the father of four and grandfather of eight crossing the
country by bicycle as 'his way of seeing Canada,' he's doing it for
DARE - Drug Awareness Resistance Education.

He's 'zigzagging' 8,935 kilometres across Canada, cycling a
combination of roads and trails, stopping at more than 90 communities
along the way.

He stopped in Oakville last Friday afternoon, at the 3,461-kilometre
mark, to meet DARE officers at the Halton Regional Police Service
headquarters. Then, it was on to Milton and Burlington for two public
appearances on Saturday before stopping in Hamilton and Ancaster on
Sunday on his way to Brantford, his hometown. There Wawzonek is known
as The Chip Man -- he's been in the French fry business for 52 years.

Cycling across Canada for DARE is his way of saying 'thank you' to the
uniformed officers who teach Grade 6 children in 14,000 schools across
Canada "about the evils of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and bullying.

"My oldest grandson went through DARE and I've attended five DARE
graduations," said Wawzonek. "I'm completely sold on it, and you meet
the nicest officers in DARE."

The 17-week DARE course is the largest and most widely implemented
drug and violence prevention program worldwide, states a release from
DARE Canada to promote Wawzonek's ride.

DARE was launched in the United States about 20 years ago, and is
currently taught in 26 languages by some 50,000 police officers in 51
countries worldwide.

Wawzonek initially hoped to raise $1 million for DARE, however the
fundraising aspect of his trek has given way to creating awareness.

In Halton, seven officers are assigned to DARE. About 5,000 Grade 6
children in 105 elementary schools graduate from the DARE program each
year in the region. The DARE program is reinforced in Grade 8.

"We owe it to our children to give them help in resisting the
temptation to experiment with cigarettes, drugs and alcohol," said the
marathon man, who is cycling about 100 kilometres a day. On "good
days" he rides 160 kilometres.

"My experience of bringing up four children and watching them raise my
eight grandchildren tells me we have to make sure the program is made
available in more schools across Canada.

"I feel very fortunate," continued Wawzonek. "My kids never did the
drug thing and I hope my eight grandchildren won't.

"On my ride across the country, I want to increase awareness of the
benefits the program can bring. I plan to meet with volunteer groups
and dare them to set up DARE programs in their communities following
my visit.

"DARE is a great program. Nothing compares to it."

He hopes to complete his ride in Victoria, B.C., on July 31. He began
the trek in St. John's, NFLD., on April 30.

His well-worn 27-speed bike mountain bike has stood up
well.

"I had only three flats on the road, and on Thursday, my day off, I
got new tires and four new brake shoes put on."

The weather hasn't been as favourable. "I've had miserable weather . .
. snow, ice and cold winds," said Wawzonek, enjoying last week's warm
sunshine. "But, I don't complain about the weather because nobody
making me cycle across Canada."

In 1997 and 1999 he cycled across Canada to promote his Thank-a-Vet
program, and personally thanked veterans for their war time
contributions. Wawzonek's Thank-a-Vet program, encouraging veterans to
wear two poppies on Remembrance Day so they will be easily recognized,
has been officially adopted in Brantford.

"And, in between my cross-Canada rides, I've been on my bike only six
times," he said, adding he's lost 25 pounds since starting the ride.

"I hope to be able to do this when I'm 70."