The rumble of motorcycles cruising into Springtown on the afternoon of June 26 will announce the arrival of the 2022 Caring for Kids charity ride, which benefits St. Luke’s Pediatrics Department for the sixth consecutive year.
The event is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Bikers Against Bullies and is the brainchild of the group’s Pennsylvania liaison, Gino Russo, and his team.
To RSVP or for more information about the Caring for Kids Ride and celebration, contact St. Luke’s InfoLink at 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537) option 4 and view the video, https://vimeo.com/709216083/300827af39.
The bikers will present a check of the proceeds from this year’s fundraising rally and family-friendly event, which follows at the Silver Creek Athletic Association. St. Luke’s Community Ambassador and Pro-Football Hall of Famer Andre Reed will make a special appearance there to mingle with the crowd and take selfies with individuals and groups.
Bikers Against Bullies is a national organization that promotes the acceptance of differences among all individuals starting with kids in school.
“The local Lehigh Valley Chapter of Bikers Against Bullies supports children in grades 1-6,” explains Russo, “We want to let kids know we stand behind them, encourage them to have a good feeling about themselves and feel empowered.”
Funds from the previous rides for St. Luke’s totaled $47,000, and Russo expects this year’s donation to take it “well over $50,000.” One hundred percent of the money raised goes to the pediatric patients at St. Luke’s, added Russo.
The riders will push off at noon from North Whitehall’s Keystone Harley-Davidson dealership, head north to Palmerton, then east to Bath and the Blue Mountain region. They will then swing south and arrive at 1:30 p.m. at Silver Creek Athletic Association, 2943 Route 212, Springtown. Local motorcycle clubs and individual riders participate annually in this event; more than 100 riders completed the 50-mile trip in 2021.
The post-ride party, open to the public and pediatric patients and families, runs 12:30 to 4 p.m. It will feature live music and a DJ, picnic food, Oogies ice cream truck, kids’ activities and a 50/50 raffle.
All guests not participating in the ride are asked to give a donation; children 12 and under are free.
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