5 Times Harley Riders Showed Their Big Hearts
A common misconception is that Harley riders are a bunch of ruthless outlaws who simply ride fast with no other cares in the world. The reality is that the Harley community has proven to be very generous and helpful to those who are less fortunate. Check out some of the great work Harley riders are doing.
The Love Ride
The Love Ride began in 1981 as a small charity event to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Oliver Shokouh, the owner of Glendale Harley-Davidson, used Harley's official sponsoring of the MDA as a platform for organizing a gathering to bring the motorcycling community together for a greater cause. What originally started as a small time carnival atmosphere evolved into a charity ride that drew thousands of participants, including musicians and celebrities. What has come to be known as the "Greatest Harley Charity Event" has raised over $25 million dollars for organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project, United Service Organization, Autism Speaks, the Glendale Community College, and as previously mentioned, the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Unfortunately, after thirty-two years, The Love Ride will take a hiatus for 2016 and 2017; however, Oiliver Shokouh has pledged that The Love Ride will return better than ever.
The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America
Former NASCAR driver, Kyle Petty, developed the idea for a charity ride event after riding his motorcycle across the country (from North Carolina to Arizona) as an enjoyable means of transportation. With riders joining in along the way, Petty imagined that an organized event could draw a crowd of participants to greatly benefit children's charities. In 1995, the inaugural Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America was held. The event is known for its 2,000+ mile, week-long ride involving over two-hundred motorcycles. The major beneficiary of the event is Victory Junction; a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses. To date, the Kyle Petty ride has raised over $16 million dollars and claims that participants have traveled a cumulative 11 million miles in the name of charity.
Ride for Life
Similar to The Love Ride, Ride for Life is also a Harley-Davidson charity event that raises money for muscular dystrophy. Organized by the Eastern Harley-Davidson Dealer Association, Ride for Life claims to be the largest motorcycling event benefiting the MDA. Funds are raised at the dealership level where individuals collect donations from family, friends, and co-workers. On the day of the event, participants ride from their local Harley dealerships to the Camelback Resort in the Pocono Mountains for a day of festivities. The 2015 event raised $1.1 million, which pushed the Ride for Life total near the $20 million mark. Nearly 30 years after their first gathering and some 50,000 participants later, the Ride for Life is an exceptional event that any Harley owner on the East coast should check out at least once.
Harley-Davidson Charity Tour & HOG Chairty Ride
Harley-Davidson charity events not only take place here in the USA, but also abroad. A notable overseas charity now in their 30th year of operation is the Harley-Davidson Charity Tour. This gathering in Austria is also working to raise money to aid individuals with muscular dystrophy. Similarly, the annual HOG Charity ride in Brisbane, Australia takes donors on a scenic ride through winding Queensland mountain roads as a way of raising funds. These charity events are only a couple examples of how the kind hearts of Harley owners are having a big impact on worldwide scale.
Local Events
Many of the large charity rides and events often overshadow the great work being done at the local level. Hundreds of group rides, poker runs, rallies, and bike shows occur each weekend across the nation in the name of charity. For example, while all Harley Owners Group (HOG) chapters do not collectively participate in a nationwide charity event, individual chapters regularly organize fundraisers such as Toys for Tots, Cancer Awareness Cruises, Veteran Memorial Rides, and Make a Wish opportunities for kids. It is not uncommon for these smaller fundraisers to top $50,000 in a single day event. Overall, Harley groups and organizations have had an extremely positive impact on those who may be underprivileged, homeless, or suffering from a life-threatening illness. So for all of the Harley owners who have been a part of any one of these great events, your generosity has not gone unnoticed, and for that, we thank you!
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