Raising public awareness
May 5, 2008
LOS ANGELES, TRIANGLE RIDE FOR KIDS® EVENTS COMBINE TO RAISE $401,000
http://www.rideforkids.org/
10-year-old Mark Holmes rode in the Los Angeles event in memory of his sister, Maddie.
Motorcyclists in southern California and eastern North Carolina teamed up over the weekend to raise more than $401,000 for childhood brain tumor research. Both Ride for Kids® events set individual fundraising records for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
Los Angeles revs up for the kids
The 17th annual Los Angeles Ride for Kids® raised $263,192, topping its previous record by more than $16,000.
The 900 participants met at American Honda Motor Co. headquarters on a bright, sunny morning before the riders and their patient family passengers departed on a coastline-hugging tour of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Fifteen Ride for Kids “stars” were honored during the Celebration of Life program. Younger patients like Regina and Alex, 8, joined older survivors like Amanda, 21, on stage to give fundraisers a glimpse into what it’s like to fight a brain tumor.
“I have the best job today,” said Kathy Riley, mother of 20-year-old Peter. “I get to thank all of you riders who have been there for us.”
Dr. Anat Erdreich-Epstein and Dr. Jonathan Finlay of the PBTF Institute at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles spoke about the importance of brain tumor research.
Bill Boyer of Lomita was the event’s top individual fundraiser with $38,826. Members of the Honda Employees’ Rider’s Club turned in $54,895 to earn the top chapter/club spot, and the top motorcycle business was L.A. Honda with $21,867 in customer donations.
The grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle, went to Kelly Byrne of North Hollywood.
Huge thanks went to L.A.’s hardworking task force, led by visitation leader Louis Vanderveen, Jeniffer McMullen, Steven Squire and Brian Tinkler. Together with their event volunteers, they made this a ride to remember.