Sunday, Aug. 2 was Ride for Kids® Day in Wisconsin, and motorcyclists marked the occasion by bringing $147,306 to the sixth annual event. This was a 44 percent increase over the 2008 ride.
More than 425 supporters gathered at Fireman’s Park in Middleton before the riders and their police escort departed on a tour of the rolling farmland of southern Wisconsin.
Following the ride, the Celebration of Life program honored 12 Ride for Kids® stars, including four PBTF college scholarship recipients.
McKenna's mom, Jolene, spoke from the heart about her 9-year-old daughter's illness. "Stable is good but gone would be better," she said. "This is a hard fight and to know that all of you are behind us is so comforting."
The riders also heard from Dr. Wade Mueller, a professor in the department of neurosurgery at Medical College of Wisconsin.
The first-place fundraisers were:
- Individuals: Randy and Pam Gulseth, $11,538
- Club/Chapter: Sandy and Sam’s Memorial Ride, $21,940
- Motorcycle Business: Pro Motor Sports of Wausau, $21,940
The grand-prize Honda motorcycle winner was Kathy Bierman of Deerfield, Ill.
Dedicated volunteers made this event possible. Special thanks went to task force leaders Joe Bentz, Tim Schueller, Mike Witt, Marcella Newell and Randy Gulseth.
| Get a 2009 Ride for Kids® registration kit |
