Ride for Kids coast-to-coast!
31 May 2000
Torrance, CA - Over 800 riders took their Ride for Kids entourage through
some of the most scenic territory in southern California on Sunday, May 21 -
and raised a record $102,000 to help find the cause and cure of pediatric brain
tumors.
With police sirens howling in the early morning air, the riders were led
through Torrance and along the dramatic coastal roads of the Palos Verdes
peninsula on the Pacific Ocean. Eighteen smiling children, each a brain tumor
survivor, rodein a multitude of sidecars organized by the "sidecar czar",
Doug Bingham. Task Force leaders Timm Browne (who also happens to be the
Valkyrie-riding Chief of Police in Palos Verdes Estates) and Rick Mitchell were
beaming as the crowd entered the American Honda corporate headquarters
where the "Celebration of Life" took place. Championship Honda racers
Miguel Duhamel and Kurtis Roberts were joined on stage by Buddy Ebsen of
the Beverly Hillbillies and TV personalities Francesco Quinn and Michael
Dudikoff. A great time was enjoyed by the young brain tumor patients and their
families, who repeatedly expressed their gratitude to the riders for their
efforts to help the children.
There were many outstanding fund-raising efforts put forth by the
participants. Especially noteworthy was Timm Browne - yes that same Chief of
Police - with $11,718 raised. The Top Chapter was GWRRA CA-1N with $11,013 and
the Honda Employees Honda Riders Club raised $9,025. The Thousand Oaks Honda
Riders Club raised $8,055 to help the effort. The Top Repair Shop was JBJ
Cycles with $13,678 and the Top Dealership was Escondido Cycle Center with
$10,963 turned in by their customers. Howard Walker was the lucky winner of a
new Honda motorcycle donated by American Honda Motor Company.
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Washinton, GA - Not to be outdone by their west-coast compatriots, the off road
motorcycling community proved again that they also have big hearts, as 300
enthusiasts of all ages raised nearly $34,000 in Washington, Georgia on Sunday,
May 21 to fund the programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US.
Honda Red Rider and nine-time National Off Road Champion Scott Summers was a big
hit with his words of encouragement and autographs. Three-time SETRA (Southeast
Trail Riders Association) Enduro champion Allan Gravitt was also in attendance
signing autographs. Perennial Top Fund Raiser Sam Shaw was once again the number
one fund raiser with a whopping $6,194. The top fund-raising club was SETRA with
$4,801. Congratulations to the Top Dealership, Aiken Motorcycles, whose
customers brought $7,049. John Parker, of Chattanooga, Tennessee was the lucky
winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle.
Congratulations to Task Force Leaders Sam Shaw, Sam Thomas, and Vicki Williams
who corralled the efforts of over 100 volunteers to give young brain tumor
patients had a double dose of fun and critical help in their battle against
brain cancer.
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The next Ride for Kids event is on June 4 in Atlanta, Georgia with a magnificent
ride to the scenic mountain hamlet of Helen, GA. For more information on the
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US and the Ride for Kids program call
828-665-6891 or visit their web sites at http://www.pbtfus.org or
http://www.ride4kids.org.
