The fifth annual Kansas City Ride for Kids® on Sunday raised $57,154 for the PBTF, a 32 percent increase over last year's results.
Johnson Community College in Overland Park played host to the event, which attracted 250 participants on a warm Kansas morning. The riders and their police ecort passed rolling hills, cornfields, stately old homes and large estates before returning to the college for the Celebration of Life program.
The stage under the big-top tent was graced by nine local brain tumor survivors, including 6-year-old Malachi, who just started walking again, and Noah, 7, who likes karate and magic.
The crowd also heard from Dr. Richard Shore, assistant professor of pediatrics at Children's Mercy Hospital. "After checking into the PBTF I realized how much good work they fund, and research is so very important to helping these families and children," he said.
John and Sandra Kiekel of Basehor, Kan., raised $4,500 to be top fundraisers. Top chapter/club honors went to The Parrot Heads of Kansas City, Kan., who brought $5,873, and the customers of Hub Cycle of Independence, Mo., made it the top motorcycle business with $5,410 in donations.
"Super Dave" Rosno from Eagle, Wis., won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle.
Thanks went to the local ride's task force, led by Jeff Griswold and Teresa Meyer. Along with their incredible event volunteers, this team organized a terrific day for the kids.
