Ride for Kids raises $267 in two events

27 July 1999

Illinois Ride for Kids raises a record $164,000


1,600 motorcyclists on every kind of bike raised over $164,000 at the 11th
annual Illinois Ride for Kids event on Sunday, July 18. The donations were a
record amount of funds for the Oakbrook, IL event.


On hand to lead the procession of bikes, escorted by the Illinois State Police,
was Bob Collins of WGN radio. Upon their arrival at Waubonsee Junior College,
the riders honored precocious little Melanie Hatch and the other poster
children, their families and the medical community with applause and cheers. The
activities of the motorcyclists and the poster children were filmed by the Moto
World TV cameras


On stage, congratulations were given to top Fundraiser Ted Nielsen, who raised
$9,818 in donations. The Top Chapter was GWRRA IL-G2 with $18,000, followed by
GWRRA IL-Z2 with $15, 495 and the Illinois Blue Knights at $12,524. The top
dealership was Banzai Motorsports with $26,837. A very excited Bernie Weiss of
Highland Park, IL was the winner and proud new owner of the Honda motorcycle
donated by American Honda.


A special thanks goes to the many motorcycling clubs and chapters who worked
diligently to make this a safe and efficiently run event. Notable among them
were the members of HRCA, GWRRA, Jersey Pine Cruisers, Blue Knights, GWTA, AGWA,
HSTA, CMA, HOG, Back Road Riders and ABATE.


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Marysville Ride for Kids tops $100,000 for the second year in a row.


On Saturday, July 24, 1999, over 500 riders and participants raised $103,571 in
the Marysville, Ohio Ride for Kids. Held in conjunction with the annual
motorcycle rally, the Honda Homecoming at the Honda of America motorcycle
manufacturing facility in Marysville, Ohio, the riders braved oppressive heat
and humidity with good humor and hundreds of warm hearts.


The ride traveled the back roads of central Ohio to arrive at the park-like
campus of the host American Motorcyclists Association headquarters. The
participants were treated to the inspiring words of Drs. Sue O'Dorisio and Peter
Pless of Columbus Children's Hospital as they shared the recent breakthroughs in
genetic research which will help find the cause and cure of childhood brain
tumors. The motorcycle riders were thrilled to hear from six of 'the kids' who
were led by Matt Howdyshell, whose Dad, Lee is a Honda associate.


The Top Individual Fundraiser was Richard Silva of Cleveland Ohio with $8,100.
Top chapter honors went to GWRRA chapter D-3 from Marysville, Ohio with $10,931.
The top dealer was Polaris of Marysville with $7,300. The excited Cindy Boling
of Terre Haute, Indiana proved that it only takes one chance to win a brand new
Honda motorcycle.


The Ride for Kids