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Harley-Davidson Women's Day Ride Raises Funds for MDA's Summer Camp Program

TUCSON, Ariz., March 5 -- Some 500 women cruised into Daytona Beach, Fla., March 4, as part of the first ever Harley-Davidson Daytona Women's Day Ride. The event garnered a whopping $60,520.50 in contributions to help send children with neuromuscular diseases to MDA summer camp, the Muscular Dystrophy Association announced today.

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company of Milwaukee organized the historic ride, the largest women's ride in the company's 105-year history. In addition to providing recognition to women motorcycle riders, the event will enables MDA to send more youngsters to camp, where they'll enjoy a week of accessible activities such as swimming, horseback riding, fishing and arts and crafts.

"What a fantastic accomplishment for all these women," enthused MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry Lewis. "Their remarkable efforts will provide 'the best week of the year' to hundreds of my kids."

Karen Davidson, great-granddaughter of one of Harley-Davidson's founders, William A. Davidson, led the group, including the six winners of Harley- Davidson's "Get Down to Daytona" contest. They left Atlanta March 1, and were joined by the rest of the riders for the last 10 miles of the approximately 500-mile trek, which ended at Ocean Center.

"I'm honored to have been a part of this historic ride," Davidson said. "To travel with these women and see the country from a bike -- and know we're helping kids with muscle diseases -- it's a special thing."

Three women received special recognition as the top fundraisers for the event: Joanne Mold of Forest Hill, Md., ($3,055 raised), Dee Roberts of Bernville, Pa., ($2,717) and Lynne Cone of Houston ($2,715). Each received a 105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson women's jacket, and had lunch with Karen Davidson and the six "Get Down to Daytona" contest winners and MDA ambassadors.

Since 1980, Harley-Davidson's family of dealers, customers, employees, suppliers and H.O.G. chapters have raised more than $65 million for "Jerry's kids." Every year, Harley-Davidson riders selflessly volunteer their time to visit nearly a hundred MDA summer camps across the country. The riders host barbecues, give sidecar rides, provide temporary tattoos and let the admiring youngsters sit on their motorcycles.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases. The Association's programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

Visit mdarides.org to learn about MDA and Harley-Davidson events in your area.