The Cleveland Ride for Kids® celebrated its fifth event with $60,443 in donations—a 17 percent increase over last year's announced total.
A crowd of 350 turned out at Rocky River High School. The riders enjoyed a gorgeous route through the greenery of Cleveland MetroParks on their way to Woodridge Middle School in Peninsula, where the Celebration of Life program honored nine local youngsters who have survived or are fighting a brain tumor.
These Ride for Kids® "stars" included three 11-year-olds, Taylor, Josh and Olivia. "No child should have to live with this terrible disease," said Carol, whose 4-year-old daughter Emily has a brain tumor. "Our children are living a better life because of you."
Dr. Gregory Plautz, a researcher at the Cleveland Clinic Hospitals, told the motorcyclists that their donations provide these children and their families a reason to hope.
The first-place fundraisers were:
- Top Individual: Carol Beck, $5,226
- Top Club/Chapter: Women on Wheels Rumble Pack, $4,839
- Top Motorcycle Business: Sills Motor Sales, $8,810
Tiffin Bak of Parma, Ohio, won the grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle.
The Cleveland event was organized by a dedicated group of volunteers, led by Ruth and Dave Ostoich, Frank Strack and Terrie Leighliter.
Read about the 2008 ride
| Get a 2009 Ride for Kids® registration kit |
