85 Riders Raise Money For Cancer SocietyI recently became a member of the Bennington International Motorcycle Club, and so joined 84 other riders on over 60 motorcycles on Saturday June 26 for a 140 mile ride through southern Vermont to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. This was an incredible and touching event.
Starting at 10:00 in the morning, we rode Rte. 9 to Dover, VT, then Rte. 100 up through Jamaica, South Londonderry, and Londonderry to Weston, where we had a great lunch provided by the Vermont Country Store (thanks!). After lunch we continued on Rte. 100 to Rte. 155 to East Wallingford, then 6 miles of wonderful twisties on Rte. 140 (freshly resurfaced) over to Wallingford, and down Rte. 7 in the rain to Manchester. A short break, then back on to Rte. 7A, again in the rain, down to Bennington. A brief stop to pay our respects to a former member who had passed away, from cancer, then on to Mount Anthony Union High School track, where an all-day event awaited us.
When it was our turn, we were introduced on the PA system, and amid cheers, many heartfelt thanks and the music of Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild", we made our way around the track to the main stage area, where Ride Coordinator, Terry Stacy presented a check to the American Cancer Society for over $1,400!
People had been walking laps all day and into the night, to help raise money for this cause, and all around the track were "luminaries", little white bags with a candle in them, to honor those in treatment, those who had recovered, and those who had passed away. Several organizations had tents in the field area and around the track, and as we continued our way around the track, the cheers and thanks only become louder, more fervent, and more touching.
This is an experience I will not ever forget. For me, to understand that what we had done together brought this kind of response, reminded me of my own efforts to help feed the hungry poor. To feel so humbled by other's desparate needs, and their intensely sincere thanks for our efforts touches my heart in a way mere words can probably not ever adequately express.
My sincere thanks to all at the Bennington International Motorcycle Club for your warm welcome and your efforts to help those less fortunate. And my sincere thanks, to the American Cancer Society and all the volunteers at the event for your efforts and your kindness
