Baltimore/Washington The 17th annual Baltimore/Washington, D.C. Ride for Kids® earned $276,277, topping last year’s total by 38 percent. The chilly morning turned warm and sunny as 625 supporters gathered at The Mall in Columbia for the event. The motorcyclists were treated to a police-escorted tour of Maryland’s rolling, twisting country roads before arriving at the Jack & Jill Distribution Center in Columbia for the Celebration of Life program. The program honored 11 brain tumor survivors, including Ruxandra, 10, and Zachary, 15. Task Force Leader Marcy Rich, mother of survivor Danielle, said to the group: “If not for you, my daughter would not be in college today. Keep up the great work.” The featured medical speaker was Dr. Greg Riggins of the Brain Tumor Center at Johns Hopkins. Bob Henig, owner of Bob’s BMW in Jessup, Md., was top individual fundraiser with $87,826. His dealership was the top motorcycle business, with $106,437 in customer contributions. The top club/chapter was The Tribe, whose members raised $23,627. Jim Lerro of Arnold, Md., won the grand prize drawing for a Honda motorcycle. Heartfelt thanks went to the hardworking event volunteers and task force members, led by Taryn Wilson-Wheatley, Joe Pruss and Marcy Rich. Philadelphia The fourth annual Philadelphia Ride for Kids® continued its record-setting pace, beating last year’s total by 7 percent with an impressive $169,470. It was a gorgeous, sunny morning as 535 supporters gathered at the IMAX Theater at King of Prussia Mall. The riders and their police escort enjoyed a beautiful route past George Washington’s encampment in Valley Forge National Monument, along the Brandywine River, as they traveled to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. There the Celebration of Life program featured the stories of eight Ride for Kids “stars.” These young brain tumor survivors included John, 13, and Emily, 11, who sang “Time for Me to Fly” by the Jonas Brothers. Dr. Jay Storm, a pediatric neurosurgeon and researcher from Children’s Hospital, said, “You give more than money, you give hope, and with hope there is nothing that can’t be overcome.” Neil and Jill Bookman of Jenkintown, Penn., who lost their son, Tyler, to a brain tumor in 2007, were the top individual fundraisers with $61,420. Their club, Team America Collectors of Cherry Hill, N.J., was the top club/chapter with $64,355 in contributions. The top motorcycle business was Ken Carr Cycle Center of Norristown, Penn., whose customers raised $16,474. The new Honda motorcycle was won by Steve and Deneen Falk of Phoenixville, Penn. Special thanks went to the event’s dedicated volunteers and task force members, led by Lee and Mitzi Krauss, Joel Samick, and Rex and Lisa Alfes. St. Louis The seventh annual St. Louis Ride for Kids® raised $70,159 on a clear, crisp morning in Cottleville, Mo. St. Charles Community College hosted the 325 supporters, many of whom toured the area’s lush green countryside with a police escort. Several motorcyclists served as the VIP escorts for the event’s 11 “stars,” including 3-year-old Chance and Hope, 14. Erin, mother of 11-year-old Brian, said, “Without all that you do, we would not have the hope that we have.” The medical community was represented by PBTF grant recipient Dr. Joshua Rubin, an oncologist and researcher from Washington University School of Medicine. “It is so inspirational to be a part of this event and experience all of your commitment and generosity to this great cause,” he said. The top individual fundraisers were the David Piel Family of Troy, Mo., who brought $7,500. GWRRA MO-Z members raised $9,925 to make it the top club/chapter. They were closely followed by B.O.B. (Brian Ott’s Bikers), who brought $9,903. The top motorcycle business, with $12,670 in customer contributions, was Niehaus Cyles of Litchfield, Ill. Sam Clary of Troy, Mo., won the grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle. Many thanks went to the event’s task force leaders, Greg Hoette, Norm and Angie Riekena, John and Lorrie Lehmann, and Charlie and Shirley Barnett. Along with a wonderful crew of volunteers, they gave the kids a day to remember. About the PBTF Ride for Kids® Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) have promoted childhood brain tumor research and provided family support through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters, online conferences and college scholarships. With the help of America’s motorcycling community, the PBTF has become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. The 25th PBTF Ride for Kids® season continues on Sunday, Oct. 5, in Sacramento, Las Vegas and Dallas/Fort Worth For more information, go to rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.