The American Red Cross successfully hosted its inaugural "Ride for the Red" event on June 7, 2008. The event was a tremendous success due to the dedicated volunteers and workers who have spent the last 9 months preparing for the event.
The morning started off at Battle Creek Harley where registered participants received a hot breakfast prepared by the local HOG chapter. Eighty eight participants were pre–registered for the 60 mile motorcycle event that was led by the Battle Creek Police Departments Motorcycle Enforcement Team. All participants that were pre–registered received a "Ride for the Red" t–shirt that was printed with a partial donation by Shirts N More Inc. All sponsors donating $300 or more are listed on the shirts. Platinum Pipes Sponsor Woody with WIN 98.5 gave opening remarks at the event. An additional 22 participants registered for the ride on site.
The morning was kicked off with music and announcements given by volunteer BJ Etheridge with Prudential Preferred Realtors. BJ also brought all of the needed sound equipment for the morning. Morning speakers included Tom Starkweather from the American Legion representing the Legion Riders who provided tremendous support for this ride. The Legion Riders provided the route, location for evening activities, sound equipment for the afternoon, a tow vehicle to follow the ride not to mention a hot lunch.
Before taking off for the ride, bikers and volunteers were blessed by the Christian Motorcycle Club and led in a prayer for a safe ride. All 110 riders lined up in front of Battle Creek Harley and took off for the ride while passing under the Red Cross flag flown atop the Battle Creek Fire Departments ladder truck. At the top of the ladder was Mr. Gary Converse taking photos of the event. During the ride, there were several times when roaring by that we saw Gary crouched on top of his van trying to get the "good shots". At the tail end of the ride was Legion Rider and volunteer Jim Woodman Jr. who drove the tow vehicle. Following the two vehicle was the American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle drove by Red Cross DSHR volunteer John Renner and passenger Kathy Ledebuhr, RN who was prepared with a first aid kit and an automated external defibrillator in case an emergency situation arose.
The 60 plus mile motorcycle ride was smooth sailing thanks to the help provided by local law enforcement officers from Emmett, Sergeant Scott McDonald with the City Of Marshall Emmett, Tracey Chambers with the Calhoun County Sheriff′s Department, and several Battle Creek Police Department officers. During the ride, the Battle Creek Motorcycle Enforcement Unit leap – frogged around to provide safe intersections for our passing. Bruce Pienning and Kraig Dingman headed up the front of the ride.
At the conclusion of the ride, bikers rode into the American Legion Post 298 on 20th Street in Battle Creek for festivities. Lunch on the grill was provided by the Legion Riders and volunteers Debbie Starkweather, Matt Starkweather, Ken Patterson, Ed Shorter, Pam Patterson, Bill Adams, Lori Starkweather, Lonnie Carlton and Cal Arnold. Music was played by Vintage during the afternoon. The silent auction was kicked off as the riders entered the gate. The silent auction brought in a profit of over $1700 to support the many life saving services that the Red Cross provides locally.
Dozens of door prizes were given out during the event. Many of them donated by State Farm and Advance Auto Parts. Additional door prizes were donated by Laura′s Nail Extraordinaire, Pac/Kit Saddlebag Company and Ayn Shipe.
The Best Bike contest was a close call. Winning the event was Matt Starkweather with his orange General Lee bike and matching side car. Matt received a power drill donated by Schweitzer for the win. 2nd place was awarded to Tad Pole who received an auto detailing and cleaning basket of supplies donated by Advance Auto Parts. 3rd place was awarded to Tom Starkweather who won a Mr. Clean Auto Cleaning kit donated by Advance Auto Parts.
Each person who participated in the event received a free meal card donated by Arby′s on Capital Avenue and a $10 off coupon donated by Stanley Steamer.
During the afternoon program, Tony Zapata, Medical Center Director for the VA spoke and presented an award and framed picture of the VA Building #2 to Joy Neulieb, VA volunteer and Red Cross volunteer and staff. The VA Medical Center and Military Family First set up booths at the event.
Sponsors for the event include:
Platinum Pipes Sponsor $5000:
WIN Country 98.5 (donation in media coverage)
Golden Angel Bells Sponsor $2500:
Battle Creek Association of Realtors
Bronze Saddle Bags Sponsor $1000:
Sam′s Club, DENSO Manufacturing and Mr. Harry Reid.
Leather and Lace Sponsor $500:
B.C. Area Chapter of Credit Unions, TRMI, Nick Metzger, Neil J Beuker, D.D.S., Advance Auto, Pivitol Communications, 5/3 Bank and Sims Heating and Cooling Service, Inc.
Helmet Head Sponsor $300:
Henkel Chrysler Jeep, Boley, Jackson & Crosby PC, Associated Internal Medicine Specialist, P.C., Bachamn Hebble Funeral Service, Eaton Corporation, DeMaagd GMC–Nissan and Unit 298 Women′s Auxiliary.
Red Cross Supporter $100:
Art Angood, Am. Legion Auxiliary 3rd District, Am. Legion 3rd District, Gunning Properties, Professional Muffler, Professional Towing, Marshall Exchange Club, McClaine′s Towing, Lassen Pontiac Buick Cadillac, Bailey Park Auto, Kiwanis Club of Battle Creek, Edward Jones, Joni Hatch, Craig Kempf Funeral Home, Travis, Maria, Emma and Logan Price, Dr. Richard G. Prebish, Enbridge Energy, Southern Michigan Bank and Trust, Hunter Prell, Sunshine Toyota, Mr. Ted Dearing, Mr. Michael Regner, Mr. Al and Karen Joy and Ms. Tiffany Halder & Mrs. Angie Gresley.
Other Cash Contributions:
Cams's Automotive
Dr. Wentzel
A & B Cleaners
Tom Starkweather
All Tune and Lube
Dr. Houghtaling and Covarrubias
Northside Pediatrics
In addition, Mr. Barry Buchanan collected over $300 in donations for the American Red Cross in the weeks leading up to the event.
This entire event was made possible though the dedicated Red Cross volunteers who spent hours working and planning the event. Red Cross Committee members included: Nick Metzger, Marijke Guerin, Scott White, Tom Starkweather, Daryl Herrmann, Tiffany Halder, Marybeth Wilson, Kandra Bennett, Debbie Starkweather, Linda Powell, Greg Lamb, Joy Neulieb, Ruth and Don St. John, Chris Sample, Cliff Conklin, Edd Higbee, Zach Cahalan, Jane Ogden, Ruby Collins and Warren Jorena. Non Red Cross related committee members included, Matt Starkweather, Jim Woodman Jr., Bruce Pienning and Kraig Dingman David and Angie Wabindato, Adrian McCleadon, BJ Etheridge and Sgt. Tracey Chambers.
Leadership Volunteer Awards were given to Tom Starkweather and Tiffany Halder. Tom and Tiffany both donated hundreds of hours of volunteer preparation work for the event to succeed. My sincerest thank you goes to both Tom and Tiffany for your support during this event. Way to go, you did it!
The Ride for the Red 2008 premier event raised over $18,000 for our local chapter. This money will be used to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations right here in our communities.
Thank you to each participant who rode in the event. Thank you to each sponsor who donated money to the Red Cross. Thank you to each company that donated an item for our auction. Thank you to each volunteer who helped make this event possible. Thank you to each company who gave a donation for door prizes. Thank you to the American Legion and the American Legion Riders and all their volunteers. THANK YOU all for your support to the life saving mission of the American Red Cross Calhoun and Branch County Chapter! You have truly made a difference.
Sincerely,
Angie Gresley
Health and Safety Director
American Red Cross
