Dunnellon, FL Ride for Kids Tops $70,000

With the threat of Hurricane Michelle lingering in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday,
November 4, the determined motorcycling community of central Florida raised an
amazing $70,650 to pay for research seeking the cause and cure of childhood
brain tumors at the 2001 Dunnellon Ride for Kids. The effort was a huge increase
from $40,615 raised at last year's Dunnellon event.

As if on cue at 9:00 AM, the sun broke through the menacing storm clouds.
Shortly thereafter, the 350 riders and participants departed Dunnellon, riding
west toward the Gulf of Mexico and the tiny community of Cedar Key -- the end
point for this year's ride.


Sunny skies and an offshore breeze greeted the participants as the riders rolled
into Cedar Key, gathered their lunch and made their way to the big tent for the
"Celebration of Life" program. Under the tent, members of five different law
enforcement agencies received a standing ovation for providing a safe escort for
the ride.


The crowd listened as Arlene North described how her entire family had been
affected by the recent diagnosis and treatment for a brain tumor in her son
Corey, age thirteen. Arlene gave details of the daily routine for the family as
Corey endured his treatment that included 53 weeks of chemotherapy.


The true "stars" of the day, as always, were the kids. Corey North and Andriana
Moschouris, also age thirteen, described how they lived their lives with brain
tumors. This was Andriana's first opportunity to take a motorcycle ride and she
described how she had discovered "hat hair"! They both thanked the assembled
motorcyclists for their fund raising efforts on behalf of kids with brain tumors
all over the country.


The crowd cheered when it was announced that John and Rose Martens were the top
fundraisers with $5,452. Top club honors went to the Florida Red Riders with
$13,525. The top dealer credit went to Haps Honda of Sarasota with $25,383.38.
Randy Lifshotz of Coral Springs, Florida jumped onto the stage and was handing
out "high fives" to everyone when Corey North pulled his ticket as the winner of
the brand new Honda motorcycle.


Congratulations to task force leaders Dale and Sharon North for a tremendous job
of organizing a committed task force and a great staff of volunteers.


The Dunnellon Ride for Kids event was the last event scheduled for 2001.  End of
year totals will be announced shortly by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of
the United States.


The first Ride for Kids event of 2002 is the dual sport event scheduled for San
Bernardino, California on Sunday, March 17. For more information concerning the
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States or the Ride for Kids
program call 800-253-6530 or visit these websites: www.pbtfus.org. and
www.ride4kids.org.


END