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OSWEGO, NY — The faith-based men’s shelter is organizing two fundraisers to help support expanded services in the City of Oswego, including their annual Bike Ride and Raise on September 11.
The Bike Ride and Raise begins at noon at Victory Transformation (24 E. Oneida Street, Oswego) and ends at Breitbeck Park. Bike riders are encouraged to get sponsors and donations to support their ride. Registration is $50 per person and can be completed online at Zeffy.com; rider donations can also be processed at this link.
Typically, the bike riders head to Watertown on their ride, but Executive Director Mary Curcio told iHeart Oswego that the route will stay inside the county this year. “We wanted to celebrate them afterwards, and that’s something we aren’t really able to do when they end in Watertown,” Curcio noted. As a result, this year’s route will end at Breitbeck Park, where the organization will host a BBQ for bike riders from 4-6pm that will also feature live music.
The second fundraising event being hosted by Victory Transformation is their annual Art Auction and Fundraising Banquet, scheduled for October 17 at the Kingsford at Curtis Manor. Tickets for this event are $35; registration is now open here.
The organization uses fundraisers to augment the services they are able to provide, as well as support building maintenance that is not covered under existing funding sources. “Most of the fundraising we do is for critical care needs,” Curcio told iHeart Oswego. “We help pay for men’s IDs and birth certificates, and we are also helping the community with partial security deposits because rent has skyrocketed.”
Curcio noted that there is current availability for the security deposit program, though funding is limited. Through the program, a $300 check is written directly to the recipient’s landlord to count towards a security deposit.
Donations also allow Victory Transformation to give men who leave the home basic necessities like blankets and towels if they are needed, no questions asked. “We want to make sure we’re giving them good supplies.”
Other services the non-profit offers include faith-based support, such as having Bibles on hand for residents, and purchasing already-prescribed medication for men residing at the shelter whose insurance has lapsed.
To learn more about Victory Transformation and how you can support the organization’s mission, visit their website or follow their Facebook page.
