The 2007 Ride for Kids® season got off to a great start in south Florida on Feb. 18, when hundreds of motorcyclists raised more than $75,000 for the medical research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF).
The cold, wet and windy morning didn't dampen the spirits of the 375 riders, many of whom were accompanied by young brain tumor patients as they left Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise with a police escort. After touring the horse ranches of rural Broward County, they disembarked at Vista View Park in Davie for a light lunch and the inspirational Celebration of Life program.
Four Ride for Kids® "stars" were on hand to tell the crowd about their lives and to offer thanks for the fundraisers' hard work. They were joined on stage by Barbara, whose granddaughter Sara died of a brain tumor last month. "Thank you for what you are doing," she said. "You all have a little angel in heaven now watching you."
The third annual South Florida Ride for Kids® raised a total of $75,296. The top individual fundraisers were Rita and Rick Case of Davie, who brought $7,200. The top club, Florida Sports Cycle of Stuart, contributed $20,135, while the customers of Rick Case Honda made it the top dealership with $20,529 in donations. The grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle, went to Adam Cooperman of Hollywood, Fla., attending his first Ride for Kids® in memory of the son he lost to a brain tumor.
Special thanks went to South Florida's volunteer task force, led by Rhonda and David Friedenberg and Greg Mathes, visitation leaders Linda Kralik and Monica Tobon, and the hardworking volunteers for organizing a terrific event.
Plan a fundraiser: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.
