Members,

This year’s Ride for Kids is but a memory. Those who were on the Task Force are still completing the final reports and post briefing paperwork. Talk has already started on how we want to improve the ride next year.

This year’s event was almost perfect. The day started with Doug Johnson meeting the club members at Rick Case Honda Powerhouse. Rick Case and some friends of his also joined the club for the ride north to Quiet Water’s Park, North Broward County.

While members were riding north, the South Florida Task Force and Volunteers were anxiously preparing for their arrival. Some of us had been at the park since 6am setting up tables, chairs, parking lot cones, etc. Volunteers had attended a training secession on the Thursday night before.

Club members arrived shortly after 8am and were directed to park their bikes (next year our club will lead the ride, more on that later). Riders were immediately greeted by representatives of the AMA (American Motorcycle Association) to sign a waiver. Then riders are directed to the registration area. This year we had 20 volunteers formed into teams of two. Each three teams had a team leader with one team consisting of 4 teams. Special Thanks to Scott R., Harrry N. and Manny O. for taking charge. Our club was also represented in the dealership/club recognition areas with John S. overseeing the operation. There were too many Gold Coast Honda Riders’ Club members volunteering to mention you all. Just let me say a BIG THANKS to all of you.

After registering, there was a light breakfast of Dunkin Donuts & Coffee, bagels, etc. Many riders took this opportunity to rekindle old friendships and look at the various motorcycles in the parking lot. Broward Motorsports brought a semi-trailer with some custom choppers to display.

Speaking of motorcycles, there was this one with a sidecar in the shape of a “Hammerhead Shark”. I have seen many different types of sidecars before, but this was amazing. My son mentioned that when the bike drove away, the rear tail moved left and right. There should be some pictures on this sight, you have to see it.

The riders left promptly at 10am for a police escorted ride through northwestern Broward County including Parkland and Coral Springs. Yuergen Boehmke was our new Ride Captain for this year’s ride and did an awesome job.

While the riders were gone, volunteers worked aggressively at setting up the pavilion for the Celebration of Life. Tables were moved and chairs arranged. Lunches were set out shortly before the rider’s returned. Lunches consisted of ham, turkey or cheese sandwiches, crackers, assorted drinks. Best of all, the Craven family attended the event with a truckload full of ice-cream!

Riders were directed to have a seat and the Celebration of Life with Randy Shrimplin from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation was set to start. Randy is our new Ride Manager from the Foundation. Soon Randy was calling up members of the audience including Rick Case, Eric form East Coast Choppers of Ft. Lauderdale, and of course the STARS of the show, the kids and parents which is the reason we ride.

Nicole (a brain tumor survivor) and her father made a short talk. Two pediatricians (one from the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital) specializing in young brain tumor patients talked about the successes that the research has provided. Without money raised like this, the research would not be there. There are new techniques and less evasive procedures available to these young children. Thank You!

Now it was time for the top fundraisers to be recognized. Rick & Rita Case, Jamie & Rebecca McDonald, and Michelle Craven took top honors for this year’s event. Each donated or raised over $5000.00. For their hard work, they will be presented a limited edition Ride for Kids leather motorcycle jacket. Rick Case Powerhouse Honda was the number one dealership with over $24,000 donated.

Now for the big news: The Gold Coast Honda Rider’s Club was the number 1 club in donations with over $18,000 brought in. Congratulations to all who helped make this possible. Over the last couple years the club has placed number 2 and 3. As a reward, the club is invited to ride right behind the STARS in next year’s ride. But we cannot rest, we (you) need to start raising money now. I will explain how in a future email.

This year we started a new tradition. We would give away a trophy for the club or organization with the most members. Guess what? The Gold Coast Honda Rider’s Club won this also! We had 54 members present. But it was close, the South Florida Riders Club had 51, and next year they plan on taking home the trophy. Of course the Southern Cruisers and East Coast Choppers are also promising to take it home. So next year we will need to come to the table with more $$ and bodies!

The final announcement was the presentation of the check. Over $81,000 was raised for the Ride for Kids and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. That was a $6,000 increase over the 2007 ride. With the state of the economy, I think we did very very very well!

After the Celebration, pictures were taken of the top fundraisers and the STARS. Also our club had theirs made and the picture will be hung at the dealership along with our trophy. It takes about a month until I receive the plaque, but make sure you stop by and see it along with previous plaques. Premium prizes were given to those who brought in larger donations. For $50.00, you were awarded a t-shirt, $100.00 a second t-shirt, $300.00 you received a limited edition Ride for Kids baseball hat showing it was the 350th ride in the history of Ride for Kids. For a $500.00 donation, you received all the above plus a real nice embroidered denim jacket.

While riders were picking up their premiums, volunteers were busy packing up. With a thunderstorm building on the horizon, many riders were eager to head home. Soon the only ones left were a few of the Task Force (Rhonda & Dave Freindenberg, Linda Kravlik, Yuergen Boehmke, I, along with members from the foundation. But don’t let me forget some of our extra help that without them, we could not have pulled this off. My son Zac, with his friends Steve & Eric Helliwell provided all the grunt work by moving heavy tables, unpacking and packing the trailer, moving heavy boxes, assisting with the breakfast and lunch area, etc. Also thanks to Kelly S. for assisting with making the lunches on Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Everybody came together and made it work.

Our next club ride is scheduled for Sunday, February 3rd. It is the annual Seafood Festival in Everglades City. I know that this is also Super Bowl Sunday, don’t worry, you will be home well before kickoff and in time to do a little pre-partying. See future email.

Ride Safe,

Greg Mathes
Club Coordinator
Gold Coast Honda Rider’s Club