The Mt. Begbie Lodge Freemasons welcomed the Miles for Special Smiles tour to 100 Mile House on Friday, Aug. 23.
The Miles for Special Smiles tour started in August 2024, when Travis Barbee, the Chief Justice of Zendah Grotto, went on a 10,000 mile, or 16,093 km, motorcycle ride to Alaska. Along the way, Barbee stopped in several cities and towns while he headed north and back south, including 100 Mile House.
"We had a few spots of traffic, because of construction along the route, but the roads were wonderful," said Barbee about the beautiful ride from Hazelton to 100 Mile House.
Barbee said his personal favourite part of the trip was getting to meet fellow Freemasons across Canada and America
Alan Boyd, one of the founding members of the Mt. Begbie Lodge, said they found out that Barbee was visiting 100 Mile House through a call from Glen Plant, who himself got a call from one of their brethren in Whitehorse.
"So - the luck of the draw that we ended up having an opportunity to host a gathering," Boyd said. "We will certainly be in support of Smiles for Special Smiles - if our brethren wish to donate individually, that's their option."
Boyd has called the visit by Barbee and his crew to 100 Mile House "wonderful." During Barbee's visit members of the local Freemasons signed a poster for him and shared a meal with him and the other riders.
As of his arrival in 100 Mile House, Barbee's tour had raised $35,000 US, or over $47,000 Canadian. This money will go to the Grottoes International Humanitarian Foundation special needs dental program. The program supports American children and youth with special needs unable to access dental care otherwise. To date, it's helped 45,000 individuals access the care they need.
