I wanted to share the recent success of one of our new Alternative Council’s last charity event. On September 14th 2013, Families for a Cure Council #2007 hosted the first annual Charity Ride / Poker Run to benefit Families for a Cure Foundation. The council began planning the event more than six months ago and was able to gain great partners like Roosters and C&A Harley Davidson which aided in pulling off this first-time top notch event! Through networking via social media, a massive email-marketing effort, and distribution of posters and flyers, Families for a Cure council was able to host the event which included over 100 people present including more than 75 bikes!
New to the motorcycle scene, the council members also attended local “bike nights” and promoted the council and the event 30 days prior. As a result, the council partnered with a local bike club which proved to play an instrumental role in the success of the event. The local bike club provided additional manpower and acted as the safety patrol throughout the ride.
The charity ride began at Roosters in Hilliard, Ohio where the riders were led out of town by a local fire station. The ride proceeded for 100 miles through three additional cities including Marysville, Springfield and London before everyone ended back at the original starting point. The council also secured the local EMS to escort the riders back to the final destination which added another unique touch.
After the ride, the event included a large 50/50 raffle, as well as over 40 different raffle and door prizes for all participants. The council sold T-shirts and held a silent auction which wrapped up shortly after the ride was finished. As a result, the event raised just under $4,500 to benefit Families for a Cure Foundation. Families for a Cure council #2007 President, Sean Williams explained, “While this wasn’t the largest fundraiser we have hosted, we were very pleased to share our story and vision with our new found ‘family members.’ Any time we can reach a new audience, regardless of the dollars raised, we consider that a WIN.”
Families for a Cure Council #2007 supports Families for a Cure Foundation. Families for a Cure is a registered nonprofit made up of a group of friends that have been united through their collective experiences supporting family and friends as they have battled cancer. Together, as a family dedicated to making the lives of other cancer patients and their supporters better, their goal is to raise $1 million dollars to help fund cancer research and patient care programs by 2021.
Already looking ahead to next year’s Charity Ride / Poker Run, council president, Sean Williams says that the goal is to grow the event and double it in size next year. Based on the response from this year’s participants, he thinks they are well on their way. President Williams states, “The momentum from the ride has been so great that we are already putting a team together to plan for next year’s event. Preliminary discussions involve a large family ‘pig roast’ to round out the day, inviting not only riders, but anyone who wants to join us in the fight. Our family is growing, and we are thankful!”
Thanks for reading!
Jen Szymczak
Community Outreach Manager
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