THE 2026 EDITION OF THE Bikes for YOUTH INITIATIVE Builds 89 Bikes and raises AN INCREDIBLE $100,000!

Photo credit: Philippe Ouellette

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The 6th edition of Bikes for Youth initiative builds 89 brand-new bikes for West Island children and raises an incredible $100,000 for the community. National Bank of Canada, in partnership with co-presidents Tootsi Impex (Yupik and Elan) and Structube, along with Gold partners Broccolini, Accent Fairchild and Revline Industries, help bring joy to local youth through a unique team-building experience supporting the community. 

Kirkland, Quebec — May 21st, 2026 — The Broccolini Corporate Center was filled with energy, teamwork and excitement as West Island Community Shares hosted the 6th edition of its Bikes for Youth event in partnership with National Bank of Canada. 
This year, 89 brand-new bikes were built and distributed to youth from five local community organizations serving vulnerable children and families across the West Island: Carrefour familial Cloverdale Multi-Ressources, Carrefour des 6-12 de Pierrefonds-Est, Maison des jeunes de Pierrefonds, Maison des jeunes À-Ma-Baie and Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island. Along with a brand-new bike, each child also received a helmet and a lock to ensure they could ride safely and confidently throughout the summer. 

The initiative brought together over 16 corporate teams for a meaningful hands-on team-building experience focused on giving back to the community. Since the launch of the initiative, almost 500 West Island children and youth have received bikes through the program. 

More than just bicycles, these gifts represent freedom, confidence, inclusion and joy for children who may otherwise not have access to one. For many recipients, this was their very first bike. 

“This year more than ever, families are struggling to cover basic needs such as rent and food. For many parents, buying a bike for their child is simply not a priority,” said Meagan Somerville, Executive Director of West Island Community Shares. “That’s why this initiative is so meaningful. It benefits both the children and their parents by creating moments of joy, inclusion and normalcy during incredibly difficult times. Seeing the excitement on the children’s faces reminds us why this initiative matters so much.” 

“National Bank is proud to continue supporting Bikes for Youth and the incredible impact it has on local families in need,” said Tony Aksa, Regional Vice-President, Commercial and Private Banking at National Bank of Canada. “This initiative perfectly reflects the power of community partnerships and employee engagement coming together to make a real difference in the lives of children.” 

Throughout the afternoon, volunteers worked side by side assembling bikes, sharing laughs and connecting around a common goal: making a direct impact in the lives of local youth. Once completed, the bikes were delivered to the five beneficiary community organizations who will distribute them directly to the children and families they support. 

In addition to creating memorable experiences for local youth, the 6th edition of Bikes for Youth marked a record-breaking year for the initiative, raising an impressive $100,000 in support of West Island Community Shares and its network of more than 40 community organizations. Funds raised will help support essential frontline services including food security, mental health support, youth programming, services for vulnerable populations and family assistance programs across the West Island. 

The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of presenting partner National Bank of Canada, co-presidents Tootsie Impex (Yupik and Elan) and Structube, as well as gold partners Broccolini, Accent Fairchild and Revline Industries along with numerous other local corporate teams. 

Hosted at Broccolini’s Corporate Center, the event highlighted the strength of community collaboration and the growing commitment of local businesses to supporting vulnerable families across the West Island. 

West Island Community Shares is a trusted fundraising organization dedicated to raising essential funds and purposefully allocating them to more than 40 local community organizations that deliver frontline services to thousands of West Island residents in need. Since 1998, more than $25 million has been distributed thanks to the generosity of individual donors, businesses private foundations and community partners. 

​With a deep understanding of the evolving needs of the community sector, West Island Community Shares works closely with local organizations to help build a strong, inclusive and resilient West Island community. 
 
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Photo credit: Philippe Ouellette 
From left to right: Meagan Somerville, Executive Director West Island Community Shares; Tony Aksa, Regional Vice President Commercial, Private Banking 1859; Eric Knafo, President Structube Canada; Ali Shayesteh, Owner Tootsi Impex Inc. (Yupik and Elan). 
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For more information:  
Meagan Somerville  
Executive Director  
West Island Community Shares / Partage-Action de l'Ouest-de-l'Île  
T: 514.695.8694  
C: 514.944-8209  
[email protected]  
partageaction.ca   
Facebook/WICSPartage  
LinkedIn/WestIslandCommunity  ​