Dallas/Fort Worth motorcyclists gave a Texas-style welcome to the Ride for Kids® on Oct. 8, raising $57,190 for the PBTF's medical research and family support programs.
As the sun rose over the hills of east Texas, 285 riders, fundraisers, patient families and volunteers gathered for the fourth annual event at Dutch Branch Park in Benbrook. The motorcyclists followed a police escort across a beautiful dam with long-range views of Benbrook Lake, then passed through small communities and open woods on their way back to the park.
There they were treated to an inspiring Celebration of Life program that featured seven local brain tumor survivors, from 3-year-old Cassie to Christina, 29. Cassie's mom, Kristen, thanked the crowd for their fundraising efforts. "Knowing about the Ride for Kids gives me hope, and I'm grateful for the research that has brought the treatments and medicine that has helped Cassie," she said.
The top individual fundraisers were Julie and Gary Touchstone of Colleyville, Texas, who brought $11,616. The top club was the DFW Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club of Dallas with $16,089, and the customers of Al Lamb's Dallas Honda turned in $17,425 to make it the top motorcycle business. James Barnett of Fort Worth won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle.
Heartfelt thanks went to Dallas/Fort Worth task force leaders Hazel and J.R. Nance and Jeff Latimer, visitation leaders Deanna and Mike Culpepper, the hardworking volunteer task force and event volunteers, for organizing a terrific event.
