Motorcyclists and fundraisers from the Sarasota area rode together on Nov. 5 to raise more than $90,000 at the seventh annual Gulf Coast Florida Ride for Kids®. Proceeds benefit the medical research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF).
Ideal riding conditions greeted the 500 participants who gathered at Sarasota County Technical Institute Sunday morning. Their police-escorted back-country ride passed through Myakka State Park on a beautiful canopied road, giving the motorcyclists a look at old Florida.
The Celebration of Life program after the ride featured two local brain tumor survivors – Trinity, 2, and Cory, 20. Said Trinity’s mom, Felicia, "We lost our jobs and our home to do whatever we needed to do for Trinity. Thank you all for what you do."
The medical community was represented by local pediatrician Dr. Corolla Fleener and neuro-oncologist Dr. Michael Nieder, director of the blood and marrow transplant services at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. "The impact of research from labs supported by the PBTF is huge," Nieder said. "With the government cutting research funding, organizations like the PBTF could well be the future of pediatric research."
The top individual fundraisers were Skip and Renee Halback of Venice, who brought $8,045. The top club was Hap’s Gulf Coast Riders of Sarasota with $30,550, while the customers of Hap’s Cycle Sales of Sarasota contributed $44,136 to make it the top motorcycle business. John Hubbard of Parish, Fla., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle.
Special thanks went to the ride’s task force leaders, Sharon Richens and Greg and Marie Lough, visitation leaders Bob Fowler and Bobbie Moss, the hardworking task force members, and event volunteers, for organizing such a rewarding event.
Riders raised a grand total of $90,705, capping the Ride for Kids® 2006 program on a high note. The Gulf Coast Florida ride was the last of 37 events across the country organized by the PBTF. Organizers are now preparing for the start of next year’s season, which returns to the Sunshine State with a tour between Sunrise and Davie on Feb. 18.
