Ride for Kids!

Ride for Kids Double Header Weekend raises $93K!

With a late spring chill in the Cranberry, PA morning air, 475 motorcyclists fired up their machines and fell in line behind a Pennsylvania State Police escort as the first-ever Pennsylvania Ride for Kids event rolled into the history books on Sunday, May 6 with an amazing $50,913...

This Ride's destination was a giant circus tent situated on a knoll overlooking Slippery Rock University where the "Celebration of Life" ending ceremonies were held. The riders were captivated by two cute brain tumor patients who giggled and grinned onstage and clearly held the upper hand in their banter with the Executive Director of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US (PBTFUS), Mike Traynor as he questioned them on their first motorcycle ride. A standing ovation thundered through the tent when the children held up a giant check showing that $50,913 in donations had been turned in for this inaugural PA event.

The cheering continued when Allen and Suzanne Wear were announced as the Top Fund Raising Couple with $11,700. Top Chapter honors went to GWRRA PA-X for their $12,070 in donations and Rider's World of Shavertown, PA was named the Top Dealership with $12,621 registered by their customers. The excited winner of the Honda Motorcycle was Verna Carson of Franklin, PA.

When the days festivities were completed, the exultant local Task Force Leaders, Bill Henze and Frank Zupcic, congratulated their hard-working volunteers and challenged them to organize even more riders and funds for next year's Ride.

Meanwhile, in another part of the country...

The fifth annual Ride for Kids off road fun event in Washington, GA was a wonderful success as 400 off-road dirt riders cranked up their machines and raised a total of $42,392 for the PBTFUS. It was a beautiful Sunday in the piney woods of rural Georgia as the riders chased the sun in one of three events - a challenging motocross track, eight miles of backcountry trails and, for the small fry, a peewee track with controlled riding.

The "Celebration of Life" program was conducted under a big-top tent with the stillness of the Georgia woodlands as a backdrop. A petite three-year-old brain tumor patient who was just now gaining the ability to begin to speak captivated all the riders, both young and old. Her "good morning" brought the crowd to its feet with a standing ovation. A second huge round of applause was in store when she and her mom and dad held up a giant check showing $42,392 in donations had been collected from the caring riders.

Ricky Dennis was the top fundraiser with $3,145. Top Club honors went to the Georgia Recreational Trail Riders Association (GARTRA) with $7,945 and Aiken Motorcycle was named the Top Dealership with $9,395 registered by their riders. The proud winner of the brand new Honda Motorcycle was Chad Lathan of Dewy Rose, GA.

Congratulations to Task Force Leaders Sam Shaw and Bill Durham and the many volunteers who were responsible for the event's success.

The next Ride for Kids event will be held on May 20 in Torrance, CA.

Ride for Kids events provide financial support for the programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the U.S. For more information about Ride for Kids events, please call the PBTFUS at 800-253-6530 or visit: www.ride4kids.org or www.pbtfus.org.