July 10 Ride for Kids events raise over $119,000
July 11, 2011
Motorcyclists at Ride for Kids® events in South Bend, Ind., and
Overland Park, Kan., joined forces to raise $119,652 yesterday for the
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation®.
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Northern Indiana star Jon talks with ride manager Mark Muhlenfeld.
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Stars shine in South Bend
Riders in northern Indiana enjoyed
blue skies and a light breeze as they gathered at South Bend’s Pinhook
Park on July 10. The crowd of 350 raised $69,555 to support brain tumor
survivors like Hanna, Lucas, Lindy, Libby, Jennifer, Corey, Jon, Karyn
and Daniel.
Many of these Ride for Kids® “stars” joined the ride
through rural farmland and later shared their stories during the
Celebration of Life program. Participants also heard from Cathy Reese, a
nurse practitioner with Memorial Children’s Hospital, and from the
mother of a 6-year-old brain tumor patient.
“Carrie could not be
here today because she is home from the hospital and on a ventilator,”
Katrina told them. “She wasn’t supposed to make it this long, but
because of all of your support, she is a fighter and she is hanging in
there. When I told her I was coming here today, she smiled.”
Other
special guests included Lyn Coleman representing Mayor Luecke’s office,
radio personality Cody Austin from B100, Miss Indiana 2011 Jackie
Jerlecki, Miss South Bend 2011 Leanna Ross, and Miss Hoosier Heartland
2011 Rachael Bazzell.
The event’s top fundraisers were:
• Individuals: E.J. & Georgia Ford, $15,186
• Club/Chapter: ABATE Region #2, $20,352
• Motorcycle Business: B&E Honda, $15,996
Drawing prizes went to Robert Speybroeck (Honda motorcycle), Greg
Koliboski (Dunlop tire), Bill Glover (AGV helmet), Amy Barrett (Cardo
Systems headset) and Wolfgang Gless (Tourmaster luggage).
Bobby
Newman, E.J. and Georgia Ford, and John Zepik led this year’s volunteer
task force. Next year’s ride is scheduled for Sunday, July 8, 2012, in
South Bend.
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J.T. is excited to ride in Kansas City. |
Kansas City rides for a reason
Riders in Kansas City posted a big
win for the kids yesterday, bringing $50,097 in contributions for the
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation®. This was a 28 percent increase over
last year’s results.
Temperatures and spirits were high as the
235 participants met at Johnson County Community College in Overland
Park. The “stars” of the day were the inspiring brain tumor survivors
who led the ride: Collins, Ben, J.T., Carter, Noah, Elizabeth, Jake,
Dorene, Isabella, and Santos.
The group rode through Heritage
Park, then past beautiful horse farms, historic homesteads and
cornfields before skirting Lake Olathe.
When the ride was over, the crowd heard from many of the stars, the
mother of a patient, and Dr. Ram Kalpatthi, a pediatric oncologist at
Children’s Mercy Hospital. They also received words of encouragement
from a local radio personality.
“Let’s ride until we find the cure
and don’t have to ride for this cause anymore,” said Slacker, who hosts
the area’s No. 1 morning show at 101 The Fox.
The event’s leading fundraisers were:
• Individuals: Gary & Mary Droege, $6,907
• Club/Chapter: Motorcycle Touring Assn. MO-1, $6,304
• Motorcycle Business: Engle Motors, $10,677
The lucky drawing prize winners were: Ruth Vogt (Honda motorcycle);
Larry Schwartz (Dunlop tire); Julie McElhiney (AGV helmet); and Frank
Rove (Cardo Systems headset).
Jeff Griswold and Darren Marshall organized this year’s ride with the
help of many dedicated volunteers. We invite you to join the next
Kansas City Ride for Kids® on Sunday, July 29, 2012.
Ride for Kids®
302 Ridgefield Ct.
Asheville, NC 28806
828-665-6891
800-253-6530
828-665-6894 (fax)
e-mail: info@rideforkids.org
website: rideforkids.org
All materials of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® and Ride for Kids® contained herein or elsewhere are copyrighted ©.
