Ride for Kids® events in three states raise over $371,000
July 18, 2011
July 17 was another big day for Ride for Kids®, as motorcyclists in
Illinois, New York and Minnesota joined forces to raise $371,573 for the
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF).
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Nikki (left) is excited about the Chicagoland ride.
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Chicagoland riders give big
Chicagoland celebrated its 23rd Ride for Kids® by raising $222,595 for the PBTF.
More than 1,400 motorcyclists and other supporters gathered at Elgin Community College for the event on a hot, sunny morning.
Local
brain tumor survivors Stephanie, Melanie, Kaitlyn, Corey, Nikki, Carra,
Teagan, Joshua, Kylie, Rachel, Lilly, Katrina, and Casey were the
“stars” of the day. Many of them joined the riders on a route that
crossed the Fox River twice.
Back at the college, these young
people told the group about their lives, and Dr. Jason Fangusaro of
Children’s Memorial Hospital praised the riders’ generosity.
“Without
your fundraising we would not be making the progress we are making
today,” he said. “In the research field, we are developing medicine that
targets these children’s tumors, enabling them to lead better lives.”
Chicagoland’s highest fundraisers were:
• Individuals: Stacia and Steve Skinner, $40,093
• Club/Chapter: Wings Over the Prairie, $38,236
• Motorcycle Business: Nielsen Enterprises, $79,332
Drawing
prizes went to Steve and Stacia Skinner (Honda motorcycle); Julie
Runzel (Dunlop tire), Fred Snyder (AGV helmet); Sara McNally (Tourmaster
luggage); and Kathy Carter (Cardo Systems headset).
Volunteers
get the credit for the success of every Ride for Kids® event. In
Chicagoland, the team is managed by Carol Sevrey, Jeff Pedersen, Bob
Wagner and Rick Montgomery. Mark your calendars now for next year’s
ride, scheduled for Sunday, July 15.
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Utica’s stars show off the amount raised. |
Strong
support for kids in Utica
Utica’s 14th Ride for Kids® raised $98,866 for the Pediatric
Brain Tumor Foundation® yesterday. More than 480 people were there to cheer on children
like Thomas, Vincent, Hunter, Joshua, Vinny, Cassandra, Mackenzie, Cassie,
Kevin, and C.J.
The ride began at the volunteer
fire department in Deerfield, then went through the Adirondack foothills to reach
Old Forge Pavilion in the Town of Webb.
Riders heard from the “stars” and
their families during the Celebration of Life program. Thomas’ mother described
her 10-year-old’s struggles and thanked everyone for being there.
“This was our first year, and we
cannot believe the overwhelming support from these riders,” Cindy said. “[Thomas] is
now cancer free … academically, his last report card was the best he has ever
received.”
New York State Sen. Joe Griffo
was also on hand to show his support. The leading fundraisers in Utica were:
- Individuals:
Peter Weidman & Judy Laforest, $10,553
- Club/Chapter:
GWRRA NY-N, $18,674
- Motorcycle
Business: Sportline Power Products, $24,875
Congratulations to the event’s
drawing prize winners: Jim Thompson (Honda motorcycle); John Bereza (Dunlop
tire); Danielle Willis (AGV helmet); Clifford Bonesteel (Tourmaster luggage); and
Keith Miller (Cardo Systems headset).
Many thanks to the hardworking
volunteers who organized this event, led by Ken and Kathy Sweatman and Mike and
Lesley Grogan. Please join us on Sunday, July 15, 2012, for the next Utica Ride
for Kids®.
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Domenick gets ready to roll in Minnesota. |
Making a difference in Minnesota
The weather in
White Bear Lake was hot and muggy for the 19th Minnesota Ride for Kids®,
but that didn’t stop the riders from raising $50,112 for the Pediatric
Brain Tumor Foundation® yesterday.
The event at Century College
honored seven local brain tumor survivors — Domenick, Jewell, Josh,
Chris, Catrina, Spenser, and Rachelle. The family of Allana Creager also
rode in her memory.
After a 50-mile tour around the area’s
scenic lakes, participants returned for a celebratory program. Many of
the “stars” talked about their lives, and Josh’s father expressed his
thanks.
“Because of this foundation, kids today have a much
better chance for a cure,” Rick said. “The children we diagnose today
have treatments we only dreamed of.”
The event’s top fundraisers were:
• Individuals: Bruce, Sandy & Justin Schafer, $5,860
• Club/Chapter: CMA Crosswinds #671, $5,960
• Motorcycle Business: Tousley Motorsports, $8,395
Minnesota’s drawing prize winners were: David Wyatt (Honda
motorcycle); Paul Merkling (Dunlop tire); Darryl Doughty (AGV helmet);
Linda Schwantes (Tourmaster luggage); and Sandy Schafer (Cardo Systems
headset).
The Minnesota event is put together by many generous volunteers. Special thanks to Dan and Maggie Larson, Sam Mackenzie
and Andrea St. George for spearheading these efforts. Next year’s
Minnesota Ride for Kids® will be on Sunday, July 15.
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 ©.
