November 7, 2003 – The Ontario Road Cycling Championships were held on the “Bamberg Loop”, near Waterloo, on Sunday, August 10, 2003. Nearly 300 cyclists competed in ten championship races. The biggest winners of all however, were children in the Region of Waterloo, as the proceeds, $6,200.00 in all, have been donated to the Victoria D'Agostino Children's Benefit Fund within the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation. The Fund was established following the tragic death of eight year old Victoria, on November 30, 2002.

The annual income from the Fund, is used to purchase book prizes for grade 6 students who are making our community better, by example, through their loving and generous spirit to others, sportsmanship and athletic accomplishments, academic excellence and good citizenship.

Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Elizabeth Witmer said: “The establishment of this Fund to recognize children who are helping to make our community better through their enthusiasm for life, citizenship and compassion for others is a special and unique way to remember Victoria and all she stood for. I hope that, by the creation of this special award, the loving and generous spirit of Victoria will be sparked not only in those who are the recipients of the book prizes, but in our children throughout the Region of Waterloo.”

In June, 2003, thirty students in Waterloo received an autographed copy of the book “Gift of Wings”, by Waterloo author Carl E. Hiebert. Each year, as the Fund grows, more book prizes will be awarded to students, in recognition of their contribution to our community.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Fund can do so by contacting The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation at 725-1806.