Remember the days of Biker Gangs?
Remember the days of the Highwaymen, Magnetos, Hells Angels, the Vagos, Banditos, and so many more? Those gangs were always associated with criminal activity--drugs, rape, murder, and pillaging—in every city they rode through. Some of those gangs still exist, but most bikers are hardworking, law-abiding citizens.
Today, it’s common to see hordes of bikes riding together for a common cause. That cause can be anything from the famous MDA rides, to cancer rides, to memorial rides, and so many more. This summer alone, my man and I will be riding in ten separate charity rides. We have two memorial rides we participate in every year; the Yancy Ride, which is in memoriam of Troy Yancy, an avid biker who passed away twenty years ago. Each year his family organizes this memorial ride and donates the proceeds to local charities. The second memorial ride is the Phil Wozniak ride. Phil was a good friend of my son, Zach’s, who was riding home from work after dark and hit a deer. The proceeds from this ride go to a local charity chosen by the family. Both rides attract hundreds of people who will ride in remembrance of people we have lost.
We participate each and every year in a local Veteran’s Ride. It’s truly the best ride I have ever been on. There will be hundreds of people joining this event, as area veterans are honored each year. Proceeds are given to veterans in need of anything from medical assistance, help with their homes, educational expenses, and more. A ceremony starts the ride and chosen veterans are honored with the presentation of the colors first. After echo taps is played, memorial trophies are handed out commemorating the day. The ride is photographed, recorded by both land and air, and DVDs are burned with the sales going into a kitty for the veterans.
Jerry Parins, is a former Green Bay Packers assistant coach, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2003. Each year he sponsors the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer, in which all the proceeds go toward helping local families, throughout Northeastern Wisconsin, who are battling cancer. Last year’s recipient organizations included the Angel Classic Inc., Bellin Health Foundation Inc. (Patient Assistance Fund), St. Mary’s Hospital (A Woman’s Place), St. Vincent Hospital (Child Life Program), St. Vincent Hospital (Compassionate Care Fund), and Unity Limited Partnership (Hope for Grieving Families). Since its inception, this ride has raised nearly $700,000 . This ride ends at Lambeau Field and brings thousands of people, throughout the day, to either ride or come and party and listen to great music, participate in raffles, and meet up with friends.
There are several MDA rides throughout the area, and we will participate in them as well. A local soldier, Shannon Flynn, who is actually serving in Afghanistan this year, holds an annual ride where all proceeds go to the Wounded Warriors Project. He owns a bike shop in the Gillett area, and his employees and family are organizing the ride this year in his absence.
All told, hundreds of thousands of dollars are generously donated each year from these annual rides. From this point forward, when you see a group of bikers driving down the road, instead of being afraid, give them a wave and thank them for their generous donations of time and money for the many great causes they are supporting.
Today, it’s common to see hordes of bikes riding together for a common cause. That cause can be anything from the famous MDA rides, to cancer rides, to memorial rides, and so many more. This summer alone, my man and I will be riding in ten separate charity rides. We have two memorial rides we participate in every year; the Yancy Ride, which is in memoriam of Troy Yancy, an avid biker who passed away twenty years ago. Each year his family organizes this memorial ride and donates the proceeds to local charities. The second memorial ride is the Phil Wozniak ride. Phil was a good friend of my son, Zach’s, who was riding home from work after dark and hit a deer. The proceeds from this ride go to a local charity chosen by the family. Both rides attract hundreds of people who will ride in remembrance of people we have lost.
We participate each and every year in a local Veteran’s Ride. It’s truly the best ride I have ever been on. There will be hundreds of people joining this event, as area veterans are honored each year. Proceeds are given to veterans in need of anything from medical assistance, help with their homes, educational expenses, and more. A ceremony starts the ride and chosen veterans are honored with the presentation of the colors first. After echo taps is played, memorial trophies are handed out commemorating the day. The ride is photographed, recorded by both land and air, and DVDs are burned with the sales going into a kitty for the veterans.
Jerry Parins, is a former Green Bay Packers assistant coach, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2003. Each year he sponsors the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer, in which all the proceeds go toward helping local families, throughout Northeastern Wisconsin, who are battling cancer. Last year’s recipient organizations included the Angel Classic Inc., Bellin Health Foundation Inc. (Patient Assistance Fund), St. Mary’s Hospital (A Woman’s Place), St. Vincent Hospital (Child Life Program), St. Vincent Hospital (Compassionate Care Fund), and Unity Limited Partnership (Hope for Grieving Families). Since its inception, this ride has raised nearly $700,000 . This ride ends at Lambeau Field and brings thousands of people, throughout the day, to either ride or come and party and listen to great music, participate in raffles, and meet up with friends.
There are several MDA rides throughout the area, and we will participate in them as well. A local soldier, Shannon Flynn, who is actually serving in Afghanistan this year, holds an annual ride where all proceeds go to the Wounded Warriors Project. He owns a bike shop in the Gillett area, and his employees and family are organizing the ride this year in his absence.
All told, hundreds of thousands of dollars are generously donated each year from these annual rides. From this point forward, when you see a group of bikers driving down the road, instead of being afraid, give them a wave and thank them for their generous donations of time and money for the many great causes they are supporting.
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