Parade to salute veterans -
Jacksonville Daily News -
Jacksonville’s Western Boulevard will close
Saturday for the city’s 14th annual Veterans Day Parade,
featuring a naval hero, a World War II veteran and, organizers
say, a kickoff surprise that viewers won’t want to miss.
The Jacksonville Chapter of Rolling Thunder coordinated the
parade for the fifth time, said Paul Levesque, the chapter’s
president.
They welcome a fellow motorcycle enthusiast and decorated Navy
officer, Ret. Cmdr. Kirk Lippold, former commanding officer of
the U.S.S. Cole., as the parade’s grand marshal.
Lippold, who survived a 2000 al-Qaida attack on the ship while
it was at a port in Yemen, said he was glad to visit
Jacksonville under more pleasant circumstances. He was last in
town to comfort the family of Engineman 2nd Class Marc Ian
Nieto, one of 17 sailors killed in the attack.
Lippold said he considered the parade invitation a great honor.
“I always look at the veterans that served as people who made a
life choice to lead a life of consequence in service to their
nation,” he said. “While the parade may seem old fashioned, I
think it’s a wonderful chance for a community to show that
support and honor those that served and those who are currently
serving.”
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Coastal Carolina Community
College and march down Western Boulevard for nearly a mile,
concluding at the Brynn Marr shopping center.
“We are going to have a flyover that kicks it off you don’t want
to miss,” Levesque said, though he would not elaborate on the
details.
Among the 70 to 80 groups participating in the parade are
military marching units from the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast
Guard, private businesses, local organizations and law
enforcement, Levesque said.
Lippold will ride in a Rolls Royce belonging to Fred Mezias of
the Antique Auto Club, New River chapter. Local World War II
Marine veteran Bob Foran, who was in the fifth landing wave at
Guadalcanal at the age of 17, will have a seat of honor in a car
decorated by Rolling Thunder to honor prisoners of war and
troops missing in action.
For spectators, Levesque said, the best place to watch is near
the reviewing stands set up outside the Jones-Onslow Electric
Membership Cooperation at 259 Western Boulevard.
He estimated that last year a crowd of several hundred attended
and he hopes for a similar turnout this year.
“From a veteran’s standpoint, this is the highest tribute you
can pay as far as I’m concerned,” Levesque said about organizing
the event. “This isn’t a solemn occasion, this is actually an
event where we can honor all these veterans and salute them.”
Cycle ride on Saturday will raise scholarship cash
- Press-Enterprise - Mt. San
Jacinto College Professor Roy Mason and his wife, Debbie, plan a
motorcycle ride
Saturday and along the way will raise money for
community college student scholarships.
The college and its fundraising nonprofit foundation are hosting
an 88-mile motorcycle run.
"I've always been a strong supporter of the foundation so I
thought this would be a great way to have fun and do it," Mason,
who teaches biology and environmental science at the Menifee
Valley campus, said by phone.
The event was the idea of the college's motorcycle-riding Vice
President of Student Services, William Vincent.
Some 46 riders are already signed up, but more are expected to
sign up at the event, according to Camille Kraft, dean of
student support services, who is helping to organize the event.
The ride starts at the college's Menifee Valley campus, goes
past Lake Skinner, through Anza into the San Jacinto Mountains
and then down the mountain to the San Jacinto campus.
Late registration, check-in and breakfast is at 8 a.m. for
riders, with the ride beginning at 9 a.m.
Mason has commuted to campus on a motorcycle since gasoline
prices started inching up in about 2000, he said.. At first his
ride was a Yamaha XT, with a milk crate strapped on to carry his
briefcase. It was a sight that "totally mortified" his wife.
On Saturday, he'll ride a 1400cc Suzuki Boulevard S83. Recently
Debbie Mason took lessons and will be riding a 650cc Suzuki
Savage on her first longer-distance ride.
Pre-registration is $20 for a single rider and $30 for a couple,
with fees increasing by $10 on the day of the event. Non-riders
may sign up for lunch in advance at $10 a person. Lunch will be
served at 11:30 a.m.
Information: 951-487-3171 or on the Web:
www.msjc.edu/motorcyclerun
Fifth annual Motorcycle Toy Fun Run -
Enterprise-Record - OROVILLE — A
benefit ride,
Saturday, Nov. 7, is planned for the "Gift of Hope"
Christmas assistance program, sponsored each year by The
Father's House Church.
Participants are asked to bring two unwrapped gifts for children
and families, as well as canned goods.
The event will be combined with the annual Fall Festival of the
church, and will include the ride from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free
food and music and game booths.
The run starts at Hobbie Chevrolet, 250 Oro Dam Blvd. at 11 a.m.
and riders arrive at the Father's House Church at noon, 2833
Fort Wayne St. Free barbecue and game booths at the church.
Donations and involvement by local businesses and community
members would be appreciated in securing items for this event.
Needed are prizes for children, toys for Gift of Hope, candy,
$50 donations and game supplies. Business donors will have their
names displayed on a booth.
The run is sponsored by the local Boozefighter Motorcycle Club,
Chapter No. 11, Hobbie Chevrolet and the church. Gift pick-up
will be held Saturday, Dec. 19.
For more information or to donate, call the church 534-4140.
Fundraiser will benefit rescue mission -
Burlington Times News - Like many
charitable organizations, the Piedmont Rescue Mission has felt
an economic pinch lately.
Rescue Mission leaders and the ministry’s supporters hope to
offset that next weekend.
The mission is hoping to attract at least 100 participants in a
fund-raising motorcycle ride. The ride is planned for
Saturday, Nov. 14,
with an entry fee of $25 per bike.
People who don’t want to ride but would like to register for
prizes can do that by paying $5.
Registration will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Piedmont Rescue
Mission at 1519 N. Mebane St., Burlington.
The ride, which will be in and near Alamance County, will begin
at 11:15 am. It will last about 90 minutes and end at the rescue
mission, where a free hot dog lunch will be served.
For information about the ride, call 222-9195 or 266-3869. If it
is raining the morning of the ride, call 222-9195 for recorded
information about plans to reschedule.
In a separate effort, a group of motorcycle riders called The
Riders for Life is holding a raffle for 2004 GSXR 600 street
bike. The group says the bike is garage-kept and in excellent
condition. Raffle tickets are $25. Anyone interested in buying
one is asked to call 266-5741. If 400 or more tickets are sold,
the person who bought the winning ticket will get the bike. If
fewer tickets are sold, proceeds will be split between the
rescue mission and the person who bought the winning ticket.
The Bikers 26th Annual Toy Run Nov. 21 -
West Kentucky Star - PADUCAH, KY -
The Bikers 26th Annual Toy Run In Paducah, KY is
Saturday, November
21, 2009. The Toy Run benefits the Kentucky Cabinet
for Health and Family Services. This state agency cares for,
finds and supervises homes for abused and neglected children.
There has been a great increase in the number of children, from
infants to teenagers, who have been placed in their care. The
Toy Run helps make Christmas brighter for these children and
others in need. We also replenish the emergency fund. Many times
an emergency arises and a child may need medicine, clothes,
diapers or school supplies. You have helped children go to
summer camp, with clothes for school or jobs, and such basics as
a crib. The most important thing you have done is let these
children know that some one cares about them and their future.
Admission is one new toy or $10 per person, all motorcyclists
are welcome! Everyone is asked to meet at 12pm on Surplus City
Parking Lot in Paducah, KY, 1927 Irvin Cobb Drive. Ride to Noble
Park at 1 pm for the presentation of toys to the Kentucky
Cabinet for Health and Family Services. A Bike Show will be held
at the park. To be eligible for Bike Show, motorcycle must be
ridden in the Toy Run. Raffles, Quilt Auction, Tattoo Contest
and Appreciation Party at the American Legion for participants
will be held following Run.
Not only are toys needed, but clothing and gifts for older
children, school materials or monetary contributions are greatly
appreciated. Raffle prizes and auction items are used to raise
funds for the Toy Run. Absolutely all proceeds from the Toy Run
are donated to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family
Services. No expenses of any kind are taken out of the proceeds,
everything given is used directly to benefit the children.
Volunteers donate countless hours of time, effort and money all
year in preparation for the Toy Run. All raffle prizes, auction
items, trophies, food, and the site of the Toy Run party, even
the trucks to haul the toys are donated by area businesses,
individuals and organizations.
Last year hundreds of motorcycles enjoyed a sunny day to
participate in the Toy Run, donating $22,730, plus many new
bicycles, toys and gifts. These people won’t fail a child. All
proceeds were presented to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and
Family Services, which in turn divided them among children in
McCracken, Graves, Marshall, Calloway, Ballard, Carlisle,
Fulton, Hickman and Livingston counties in western Kentucky.
This helped brighten Christmas for many children in unfortunate
situations.
Let’s continue to show these children we care about them and
their future. If you or your organization would like to make a
donation, sponsor an event or need more information on Toy Run
2009, please contact Wildman & Ann Allbritten, 270-554-7174,
Sandra Lynn, our liaison at the Cabinet, 270-559-7627, or Lauren
Shelton-Cole, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services,
270-575-7105. Any help you can give would be greatly
appreciated. |
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