Published: July 03, 2008 03:05 pm         

Bikers set to ride for cause

Annual fundraiser benefits local cancer patients

Every year during the middle of summer, hundreds of motorcyclists line up one-by-one along Erie Avenue near Shooters Bar and Grill.

The reason: raising money for locals battling cancer.

This year’s annual memorial ride and fundraiser event will take place at noon on July 12.

Five years ago, Dick and Kathy Byers, owners of the bar on 17th Street, started the fundraiser after three close friends died of cancer.

“They all died young,” Kathy said.

Kathy decided they needed to do something to help individuals battling cancer and set up a motorcycle ride around town where bikers could donate money to a good cause.

The events over the past five years have raised more than $30,000, helping 12 people with cancer. Kathy said the event raises about $6,000 every year.

The event has grown through the years. During the first year, 160 people participated in the event. Last year, the number increased to 300.

Kathy said she finds out about the individuals battling cancer through friends and acquaintances and surprises them a few days after the ride when some of the riders gather and visit them at home or work. Kathy said the money can be used at the recipient’s discretion. She said she didn’t know who would be getting the money this year.

“When you show up, they all cry and thank you and want to hug you,” she said.

Kathy remembered when the riders presented Charlene Crites with a check while she was working at Marsh.

“I remember someone asked Charlene when we walked in, ‘Are those your friends?’” Kathy said. “She said, ‘I don’t know those people.’ Well, someone came up to her and asked ‘Can we be your friend?’ and she said, ‘Sure.’”

Afterward, they presented her with the check.

“It was so funny because she started off scared to death of us, and then she ended up hugging every single one of us,” Kathy recalled.

Michelle Lopez, a young wife and mother who had fought cancer for several years, was the first to receive money when the event began five years ago. She died in January 2005.

In 2004, she said, “People stereotype bikers, and all the things that are said about them. Well, it just isn't true. They are so kind and with so many feelings for others.”

Others who were helped were Rachael Rominger, a breast cancer survivor who found out about the diagnosis when she was 37, and Alexis Stanton, who was 8 when she died of a brain tumor.

Donnie Hamilton, a Walton resident who was fighting bile duct cancer, said he was surprised to get a $1,000 check from the group in 2005.

“A bunch of them came out on their motorcycles to the house,” he said. “I was almost overwhelmed.”

Hamilton, who can’t work due to his illnesses, said he used the money for medical bills.

Craig Hoff, who has participated in the ride on his Harley Davidson for the past five years, said the event was close to his heart. His mother died of cancer in October 2004.

“I’ve seen and lived it with my own eyes,” he said. “It’s a terrible, terrible thing to have to go through.”

He said it was an “awesome” feeling to be able to participate in the event.

“It’s something we can do for the community for people who have been struck by this,” he said. “Seeing the expression on their faces is worth a million dollars.”

He likes the fact that the recipients can use the money for whatever they want.

“They could use it for a vacation with their kids and it could maybe be one of the last vacations they can have with their kids,” Hoff said.

He said he’s participated in bike rallies across the country, but nothing beats riding in the Shooters ride.

Wes Sturgeon, who has participated in the ride for three years, agreed.

“It’s probably one of the best summer motorcycle experiences out there, knowing that you’re helping local cancer victims,” he said.

Kathy said people come to the event from all over Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky.

The event this year will be in memory of Rick Peters — a past participant who recently passed away.

“He was a big help to all of us,” Kathy said.

Peters’ photo will be on the T-shirts the riders will get.

Kathy said the ride will begin at noon at Shooters, heading toward McGovern’s, the Elks Lodge, then to Burlington and Galveston before returning to Shooters by 5 p.m. Sign-up is from 10 a.m. to noon. Riders pay $15, and passengers pay $5.

From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., there will be a block party, food, an auction and live band, “Damrell,” at the bar.

Kathy expects about 300 people to participate.

Staging the event involves a lot of work and stress, she said, but the rewards more than make up for the effort.

“Once you see the people you give the money to, and see how much it helps them, it’s all worth it,” she said.

Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or via e-mail at melissa.soria@pharostribune.com



Want to go?

What: Annual memorial ride and fundraiser to benefit local cancer victims

When: Noon on July 12. Sign up is from 10 a.m. to noon. From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., there will be a block party, food, an auction and live band, “Damrell,” at the bar.

Where: Logan Shooters Bar and Grill, 1034 17th St.

How much: Riders pay $15, and passengers pay $5.



Cancer patients who have benefited from the fundraiser

Tammy Dowell

Jane Conrad

Tracey Baum

Don Hamilton

Alexis Stanton

Rachael Rominger

Janet Beighler

Rachel Cripe

Donna Hall

Charlene Crites

Cindy Coe

Mark Polen