Dear Riders and Sponsors,
It’s all about making a difference, giving a damn,
working and caring for kids you don’t know. There’s a
driving spirit in bikers that believe we can do anything.
We indeed get the job done when it comes to the Miracle
Ride. There are so many who give energy, time, and
money to accomplish this fantastic end result that it
would be impossible to mention everyone. However, I’ll sure give it the old college try.
Behind the scenes: 10 months of dedicated hard
work by the 20 people who work their respective duffs
off to handle the logistics of the Miracle Ride, belong
in the “thank you” hall of fame. Thank you is really
not necessary, since these folks do the work because
they want to… it’s a most rewarding relationship to be
part of the Miracle Ride team – The egos are laid aside
for more important work. The result speaks for itself.
In addition, this family of bikers share a friendship
that has evolved into a special mix. Not one person
among us has a title or a business card related to the
Miracle Ride. Thank you committee… 14 years and
counting.
We ask each other in our meeting that begins in
October, how in the hell will we put together a plan to
surpass the previous year? The task can be very daunting.
So… this is where I ask you all to please join us
again in 2008.
The Bob & Tom Show, Indianapolis Colts and
Lucas Oil were outstanding this year… contributing
more than just money. Bob & Tom go out of their way
throughout the year to get involved, from the creative
side of the ride, to bringing other personalities/celebrities
into the mix. The Colts, with Jeff Saturday and
Howard Mudd, take time to visit the hospital for photo
shoots with the kids. Both Jeff and Howard have come
to meetings and spent time discussing ideas that bring
new resurgence to the ride. Bob & Tom and the Colts
rock!
Enter the Lucas family into the mix in 2007. I
could write two pages on what Forrest and Charlotte
brought to the Miracle Ride. First was the donation of a
custom Colts motorcycle. The custom bike brought the ride national recognition, not only because the Colts
won the Super Bowl but also because the Lucas “On
the Edge” TV show on the Speed Channel featured the
bike build. The TV show aired three times prior to the
event, promoting the Miracle Ride. Bob & Tom and
the Colts were involved with the program as well. The
bike was auctioned off on eBay and brought $50,000
to Riley Kids.
I ask all motorcycle riders and families to support
our sponsors. A fabulous part of the Miracle Ride is the
generosity of our sponsors, from the t-shirt sponsors to
the title sponsors. It’s their money that allows 100% of
rider pledge money to go to Riley kids. That is correct,
100% of riders pledge money goes to Riley Hospital. In
addition, the past couple of years we have been frugal
enough to pay all the bills with sponsor money and have
some in reserve to add to our pledge dollars. Thank you
sponsors for the constant and dedicated support you
give very unselfishly to the motorcycle community.
Each year brings special people with special
talents to our Miracle Ride, and this year was no exception.
On board as a title sponsor for the 2008 ride
(Miracle Ride #15) will be GM of Indiana with the
outstanding leadership from Jeff Haynes, Fred Cox, and
Marvin McAllister. GM employees, dealers and th GM
Foundation brought to us $55,362, the single largest donation in Miracle Ride history. Forrest Lucas had
fun with these guys up on stage Sunday by tossing
another $5,000 into the total donation, bringing the
GM donation to $60,362 for Riley kids. Forrest began
to joke with the GM team that the figures on the check
where not correct. Jeff’s face turned pale. He was not
catching on to Forrest’s hint of adding money to help
them and the ride. After the check presentation on stage
I learned that he thought they had added one too many
zeros, and had given us 1/2 million dollars… It freaked
him out!
GM has indicated that the 2008 ride will bring
us more surprises. Thank you. What a fantastic and
generous effort GM employees put together for Indiana
kids.
So, as they say, we have placed into history another
Miracle Ride… together thousands of us share
a passion that so many never experience in life. Like
trying to explain why we ride to those that do not, you
can try, but they don’t understand until they experience
the freedom of the ride. That freedom transcends into
extending our gift so others may feel the spirit we share
for life and our children.
Thank you for believing in us.
Be careful out there,
Michael Farabaugh |
