Motorcyclists in Southern California rode together at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) Ride for Kids® event in San Bernardino on June 11 to raise more than $64,000 for medical research and family support programs.
Fog draped Glen Helen Raceway Park in the early morning hours, but cleared as 300 participants gathered for the ride. After the traditional pancake breakfast, the riders attended the Celebration of Life program to hear from three local pediatric brain tumor survivors, Brandon, 9, Trent, 12, and Bryan, 13.
"Without you, without the money you are raising, I wouldn't be here today able to introduce you to my son Trent," said his mom, Hope. "He is my miracle child."
After the program, the dual sporters bumped along 90 miles of rugged terrain in the San Bernardino National Forest, stopping for lunch at Silverwood Lake.
The 14th annual Southern California Ride for Kids® raised a total of $64,179. Top individual fundraiser honors went to Ed Bach, who brought $4,805. Members of the Orange County Dualies turned in $32,498 to make it the top club. The top motorcycle businesses were Beaumont Cycle of Beaumont with $15,126 and Malcolm Smith of Riverside with $15,035. The grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle, went to Dave Harlan of Yorba Linda.
Special thanks went to Southern California's task force leaders, Roberta and Jim Woods and Buddy Percin, visitation leader Paul Flanders, the dedicated task force volunteers, and day-of-event volunteers, for putting together another successful Ride for Kids® program.
