Ride for the Red Saturday, Nov. 18

[totalmotorcycle]

Ride for the Red Saturday, Nov. 18
Thursday, November 16, 2006 - newszap.com




Drawing held at event for Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 1500

Polk and Highlands Counties, FL n Riders across two counties are gearing up for the hottest ride this fall, with a chance to support American Red Cross services in their areas.

American Red Cross Polk County Chapter and Highlands County Service Center are gathering riders for the 2006 Fun Bike Center Ride for the Red motorcycle poker run.

The ride starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, in two locations. One pack of motorcycles will leave from the Circle in downtown Sebring; the other will leave Central Park in downtown Winter Haven, site of the 2005 inaugural ride. For those who haven’t pre-registered, registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the two locations.

Like most poker run rides, 2006 Fun Bike Center Ride for the Red requires riders to visit four road stops ending with one final destination. This ride gives riders a choice between Highlands County and Polk County stops, as long as they visit at the Winter Haven Bikefest before 5 p.m., Nov. 18.


Highlands County stops include GHC Motorsports in Lake Placid, Carlie Lynn’s Bar in Sebring, DQ Grill & Chill in Sebring, and Checker’s Drive-In Restaurant in Avon Park. Polk County stops include title sponsor Fun Bike Center in Lakeland, Grainger Industrial Supply in Lakeland, Bartow Chevrolet, and Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub in Bartow.

The Polk County American Red Cross has arranged with title sponsor Fun Bike Center to have a drawing on a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 1500 two-toned red pearl and white motorcycle, to be given away after the ride. Tickets are available for $25 donations. Money raised will support both Red Cross services in both Highlands and Polk counties.

Prospective riders from both counties are welcomed to stop by Fun Bike Center in Lakeland and see the 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 1500. Tickets are now available for $25 donations at the service center at 1430 Lakeview Drive, Sebring, and the chapter office, 147 Avenue A, NW, Winter Haven. Additional tickets are available at Fun Bike Center and at American Red Cross booths at area bikefests between now and Nov. 18.

In Sebring, local soprano Patty Young will open the ride with the Sandy Patty version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by bagpipe music from local pipers Sue Weston, Tony Barrett, and Bob Campbell. The Winter Haven opening ceremony will include the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard and the national anthem sung in two-part harmony by Polk County American Red Cross staff members Phil Attinger and Eric Carroll.

In addition to Fun Bike Center, sponsors to date for this year’s two-county event include Grainger Industrial Supply; The Ledger; Woodmen of the World; Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service; Hall Communications, including Max 98.3 FM and 97 FM Country; The Mosaic Company; Cohan Radio Group, including WWOJ 99.1 FM and WWTK AM 730; the Highlands County News-Sun; Highlands Today; ArrMaz Custom Chemicals Inc.; Wind Talk Magazine; Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub; Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home in Sebring; Rinker Materials, Rubber Applications; GHC Motorsports; and Bartow Chevrolet n an original sponsor and stop from the 2005 ride.



All proceeds from the event will go to support American Red Cross disaster services and health and safety programs in Highlands or Polk counties. Scialo said last year’s riders had so much fun that they have been calling to pre-register, saying they can’t wait to run in this year’s ride. Riders may register by calling the Polk County Chapter at (863) 294-5941 or polkcorfl@polkredcross.org; or contacting the Highlands County Service Center at (863) 386-4440, (863) 386-4443, or hcarc@vistanet.net.

Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.redcross.org.