Motorcyclists brought $180,681 in donations to Ride for Kids® events in Asheville, N.C., and Ann Arbor, Mich., yesterday. The funds benefit medical research and family support programs at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF). A beautiful day for the kids in Asheville Long before “Good Morning America” named Asheville one of the 10 most beautiful places in the nation, motorcyclists were enjoying the area’s scenic rides. The Asheville Ride for Kids®, which travels the Blue Ridge Parkway on its way to Lake Lure, is one of the best. This year’s event raised $113,815 for the PBTF on Aug. 28. The crowd of 550 gathered on a sunny, breezy day at Biltmore Square Mall to ride for brain tumor survivors Aaron, Sarah, Elijah, Hannah, Brady, Julia, Seth, Matthew, and Travis. Many of these young people have been treated by Dr. Gerald Grant, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Duke University Children’s Hospital. “This foundation has just been tremendous,” he told the fundraisers during the post-ride program. “And it’s not only in research, it’s all the work in quality of life and everything we can do to get these kids happy and enjoying day-to-day life, because that’s what they really care about.” Ride for Kids® fundraisers provide the seed money to make research and family support possible. The top contributors in Asheville this year were: Individual: Ferguson Family Foundation, $30,000 Club/Chapter: Members of GWRRA NC-M2, $41,691 Motorcycle Business: Customers of MR Motorcycle, $20,001 Donated drawing prizes went to Renae Turner (Honda motorcycle); Evan Parton (AGV helmet); Larry Craig (Dunlop tire); Becky Lees (Tourmaster luggage); and Mike Coral (Cardo Systems headset). The Asheville Ride for Kids® was organized by a dedicated volunteer task force, led by Pat Harvey, Lynn Brooks and Bruce Lobach. Mark your calendar now for the next ride on Aug. 26, 2012. 20 years of helping kids in Michigan Dual sport and road riders converged on Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor on Aug. 28 for the 20th Michigan Ride for Kids®. Together they raised $66,866 for the PBTF. The crowd of 275 came out to support brain tumor survivors Andrew, Claire, John, Zachary, Katie, Lee Ann and Ruth. Many of these “stars” led the semi-rural road ride through central Michigan on a sunny Sunday morning. After the ride, the fundraisers heard from the stars and from 6-year-old Andrew’s mom, Michelle. “Help came to us with support from the PBTF, the Ride for Kids and folks like you,” she said. “We are blessed to have you as our support.” That support comes from motorcyclists who raise funds all year long. Michigan’s leaders were: Individuals: Rob & Denni Proctor, $10,000 Club/Chapter: GWRRA MI-W2 members, $17,622 Motorcycle Business: Customers of Fred’s Bikes and Trikes, $24,856 The donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to Dennis Brooks (Honda motorcycle); Al Kittle (AGV helmet); Roger Reed (Dunlop tire); Jeff Dold (Tourmaster luggage); and Kathy Rockwell (Cardo Systems headset). Michigan’s volunteer task force was led this year by George and Claudia Ellison and Ralph and Jean Hunt. Ride with us next year on Sunday, Aug. 26. About the PBTF Ride for Kids® Ride for Kids® supports the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) by funding medical research and family support programs. We thank our presenting sponsor, Honda Riders Club of America, and our national insurance sponsor, GEICO. The next Ride for Kids® events are on Sunday, Sept. 11 in Alabama, Indiana and Washington. Learn more at www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.