Ride For Kids Raises Record $173K!

Brent Avis
by Brent Avis
The Ride for Kids charitable program made its second stop this year in southeastTexas where over 850 motorcyclists raised a record $173,486 on Sunday April 22.Following behind police motorcycles and squad cars on their triumphant journeythrough the wildflower-laden Texas countryside, the riders enjoyed a day ofexcitement and emotion.

Jeff Smart of Fresno, California - the proud dad of eight-year-old brain tumorsurvivor Justin Smart - summed up everyone's thoughts when he shared hisfeelings after he rode his Gold Wing at the head of the miles-long procession ofmotorcycles. "As I looked in my mirrors and saw the sea of headlights behindus," he commented, "I felt like I was being followed by hundreds of Texas Angelsthat were on their way to a gunfight...

"Before the day was done I knew that thoseAngels were "gonna kick some tumor butt!"

His prediction came true when six little brain tumor patients came up on stageand unfurled a giant-sized check with $173,486 in total donations emblazoned onits bottom line. The assembled motorcyclists roared their approval.

This was a time for breaking national records as the Top Fundraising Dealership,Pasadena Honda, registered a whopping $63,247 in donations turned in by theircustomers. GWRRA Chapter Z of Pasadena, TX registered another national Ride forKids first with $45,516 raised by their members. And a big tip of the helmetgoes to Mike Culpepper of Fort Worth who personally collected $8,049 indonations. Two of the biggest smiles of the day were on the faces of RonnieLunsford, the proud Houston volunteer Task Force leader, and Bill Wynn fromHouston, TX winner of the Grand Prize Honda motorcycle.

The next Ride for Kids is a doubleheader weekend is May 6, with an off-roadevent in Washington, GA and an inaugural Pennsylvania road ride in Pittsburgh,PA.

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Brent Avis
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