Colors of Concordia fetes 10 years
Among the 25,000 cyclists participating in this year’s Tour de l’Île will be 200 conspicuously dressed individuals whose biking efforts will benefit more than just their fitness levels. The group of cyclists with bright green shirts will be representing Colors of Concordia, an organization dedicated to promoting projects that bring about greater cultural understanding.
Through its participation in Montreal’s Tour de l’Île, the group of students, faculty, staff and alumni raises money for the Colors of Concordia Cultural Initiative Fund (CCCIF), which supports organizations whose objectives embrace diversity and promote cultural awareness. Participating cyclists seek pledges for completing the 50-kilometre tour circuit, and all the money raised is given to the CCCIF.
“We need to encourage cultural awareness,” says Marvin Coleby, a political science student who assumed the presidency of Colors of Concordia this year. “Being sensitive to diverse cultural identities doesn’t just help us understand different countries and customs. It actually means we can better understand people, the way they think, act and feel. We enrich ourselves in the process.”
The organization was founded in 2002 by Ramona Senecal, a receptionist for undergraduate student programs at the John Molson School of Business (JMSB). Senecal, who had participated in the Tour de l’Île for years, felt that the event offered the Concordia community an opportunity to put together philanthropy with a celebration of its multicultural membership.
What is the Colors of Concordia?
The group’s fundraising efforts led to the establishment of an endowment fund, which pays for a scholarship that is awarded annually to the Concordia student who best demonstrates a commitment to ‘volunteer work that promotes understanding between cultures.’
In 2010, the Colors of Concordia Cultural Initiative Fund was created to disperse funds to qualifying organizations that applied for grants. Last year, the fund assisted five organizations with the disbursement of $13,600.
Coleby believes that Colors of Concordia has had an enormously positive effect on cultural communities within Concordia. “We need to celebrate these ten years of success!” he beams.
This year’s Tour de l'Île is taking place June 3 and Colors of Concordia is encouraging members of the Concordia community to participate in the event, to make a donation or to sponsor a rider.
Those wishing to participate with Colors of Concordia must register by Tuesday, May 22.
Email infococ@jmsb.concordia for more information or to obtain a pledge form.
Related links:
• Colors of Concordia site (includes registration and donation)
• Colors of Concordia on Facebook
• John Molson School of Business