The record-setting 25th Ride for Kids® season ended in Sarasota, Fla., where motorcyclists raised $55,553 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
Five local brain tumor survivors were among the 300-plus crowd gathered at Sarasota County Technical Institute on a gorgeous fall morning. The riders and their police escort traveled under blue skies through Myakka State Park before returning to Sarasota Tech for the uplifting Celebration of Life program.
The program honored Ride for Kids® "stars" such as 5-year-old Trinity and Corey, 22, a recent college graduate and PBTF scholarship recipient.
Dr. Stacie Stapleton, director of pediatric neuro-oncology at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, told the crowd that the research they fund is the key to a cure. Two-time pediatric cancer survivor Kelsey, 18, agreed, saying, "Without you I would not be here today."
First place in the individual fundraiser category went to the team of Rick Deal and Larry Cochran, who brought $5,000. Hap's Gulf Coast Riders raised $24,120 to be the number one club/chapter, and Hap's Cycle Sales of Sarasota was the leading motorcycle business with $32,982 in customer donations. Debbie Spire of Oneco, Fla., won the grand prize Honda motorcycle.
Sarasota's local volunteer task force deserves credit for organizing a great event, with special thanks to task force leaders Greg and Marie Lough and Rick Deal.
