The 26th season of Ride for Kids® got off to a great start in Pompano Beach, Fla., on Feb. 8, with motorcyclists raising $79,140 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Ride for Kids® gives motorcyclists and children with brain tumors the chance to meet in person. Local survivors lead the ride with VIP escorts, and are honored on stage during the Celebration of Life program. The eight “stars” of the South Florida event included Brianna, 6, and Justin, 18.

These children and their families joined more than 600 participants Sunday morning at the Goodyear Blimp Base at Pompano Air Park. The weather was ideal as a police escort accompanied the riders along city and beach roads in eastern Broward County. The ride then returned to the air park for lunch and festivities under a big-top tent.

The program included a talk by Dr. Iftikhar Hanif, director of the pediatric hematology and oncology department at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. “I am confident that we will conquer this disease with your support to fund research for new, less invasive treatments,” he told the cheering crowd.

The event also recognized the top fundraisers in three categories:

• Individual: Craven-Meyer Family, Pinecrest, Fla., $7,000
• Chapter/club: South Florida Riders Club, $14,120
• Motorcycle business: Rick Case Honda, Davie, Fla., $13,057

Linda Kralik of Lake Worth, Fla., won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle.

Special thanks went to the local volunteers and task force members, led by Rhonda and David Friedenberg, Greg and Joann Mathes, Linda Kralik and Ernesto Casas.