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The Review September 20, 2016

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ROCK FALLS BY PHILLIP HARTMAN

ROCK FALLS – A tinge of pre-dawn reds and oranges swept the sky Thursday, painting the group of motorcycles gathered outside Long Shot Bar and Grill. Inside, a group of motorcycle riders, state and regional police, and Long Shot employees listened to last-minute preparations for a trek to deliver nearly $28,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The group of 18 riders and 11 passengers took part in St. Jude Rides, a 3-day, 530-mile motorcycle ride to Memphis, Tennessee. At least two police escorts joined the ride, which ended Saturday.

All money raised will go to the hospital, which treats patients 21 and younger free of charge. Based in Memphis, St. Jude has clinics in seven other locations nationwide, including Peoria. Riders were asked to raise at least $1,000, while passengers were asked to raise at least $500. Gary Fulrath, one of the local organizers, said $27,600 in local funds will be given to St. Jude. The national ride was founded 10 years ago. The local group took part for the first time last year, and featured three motorcycles with five people – riders and passengers – who raised $3,750. Nationwide, $623,750 was raised in 2015. “I’d like to double our numbers for next year, to 35 [or] 40,� Fulrath said. “When we come in there with 200 to 300 motorcycles, the kids are so excited.� The local riders will meet up with others from across the country before arriving in Memphis. A number of riders spoke about why they were participating. Ralph Petersen, 74, from Lost Lake, said his wife spent some time 60 years ago at LaRabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Ruth Petersen can no longer ride, but Ralph can. “We have grandkids

down in Memphis,� Petersen said before getting on his 2012 Harley-Davidson Trike motorcycle. Jim and Michelle Grunauer, 57 and 56, respectively, both of Sterling, took their 2011 Harley CVO Roadglide Ultra for the trip. “We both love riding, and we want to give back to the kids,� Michelle said. Dawn Nielsen 47, of Rock Falls, is a secondyear rider. She traveled with her husband, Tom, 46, on their 2011 Limited Harley-Davidson. “Tom Root, the chief of police in Princeton, was telling me about [the ride],� Dawn said. “We’re riding for Jada Goodman, a cancer patient from Rock Falls, and in memory of my grandmother, ‘Granny’ Lorraine Fullgraf. She wanted some of her money to go to St. Jude. There are some local kids who go to St. Jude. It feels so nice to give back.� As the sky started to turn more blue, the riders and their police escorts posed for a few last-minute photos. Then, engines roared. The group headed out, accompanied by a Rock Falls Police SUV, an Illinois State Police motorcycle, and a Peoria County Sheriff’s vehicle, lights flashing as they headed east.

For more information Call Gary Fulrath at 815-499-6332 for more information on the local St. Jude Rides program. All donations are tax-deductible. Go to stjuderides.org for more information on the national fundraiser.

Local saints depart for St. Jude Motorcycle riders raised nearly $28,000 for kids’ medical treatment ABOVE: Motorcycles await for the 3-day, 530mile trip to Memphis on Thursday morning in the Long Shot Bar and Grill parking lot in Rock Falls. LEFT: Riders on a Harley-Davidson cross into Bureau County on Thursday morning as the local St. Jude Rides group of 18 riders and 11 passengers hit the road for Memphis, Tennessee, where they’ll deliver a check for nearly $28,000 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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