The rolling hills of central Massachusetts provided a beautiful backdrop
for the 14th New England Ride for Kids®, which raised $37,627 for the
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) yesterday. Additional funds
came in after the ride, bringing the final total to $40,027.
The
120 participants met at Tantasqua Regional High School in Fiskdale to
support local brain tumor survivors Caitlyn, Ryen, Amanda and Gary.
Several of these Ride for Kids® “stars” led the ride through the
countryside, then came back to tell the riders about themselves.
“Thanks
for donating money for kids like me with brain tumors,” said
11-year-old Ryen before taking a few steps. Amanda’s mother, Joanne,
said, “The common thread through all the events we have attended is the
way strangers can be made to feel special. You do this for my child and
it means the world to me.”
The riders also heard from neuro-oncologist Nicole Ullrich of Children's Hospital in Boston.
The fundraisers with the highest totals were:
- Individuals: Dave Odess and Perry Robertson, $6,321
- Club/Chapter: Members of GWRRA MA-F, $8,813
- Motorcycle Business: Customers of Venco Wings, $10,078
Donated
drawing prizes went to Dave Odess (Honda motorcycle); Ray Dewey (AGV
helmet); David Rabinovitz (Dunlop tire); Bunny Kirchdorfer (Tourmaster
luggage); and Joseph Seymour (Cardo Systems headset).
Many thanks
went to the volunteers who organized this year’s event, led by Shirley
Dempsey-Anderson and Dave Odess. Ride with us next year on Sunday, Aug.
19.
Each state requires PBTF to approve your fundraiser, so contact us early in your planning process. The first step is to complete our fundraising application.
