When Tyler Stumpf and some friends came up with the idea of organizing a New Year's Day motorcycle ride 13 years ago, they knew they wanted to raise money for veterans, but they didn't anticipate how much the event would grow over the years.
"That first year, we had 11 motorcycles participating, and we raised about $400, which we thought was great," Stumpf recalled. A little over a decade later, the ride draws an average of 450 motorcycles, and the organizers have raised $213,000 for the Lebanon VA Medical Center.
This year's charity motorcycle ride to benefit veterans will be held on Saturday, Jan. 1. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., and the ride will leave from the Walter S. Ebersole American Legion Post 185, 255 W. Main St., Mount Joy, at 1 p.m.
The 25-mile ride will follow a route along the Susquehanna River and conclude at the Elizabethtown American Legion Post 329, 240 N. Hanover St., where a pork and sauerkraut meal will be served following the ride. A Chinese auction will be held there as well, featuring items donated from local businesses.
"Each year we also do a Baby New Year, and he shows up at noon," Stumpf said, noting that the person chosen must wear a baby costume and sash. This year's honor goes to Marlin Schwanger. "He'll get to choose Baby New Year for next year," Stumpf explained.
Proceeds from the entry fee for the ride as well as the sale of T-shirts and patches will benefit programs at the VA. "One hundred percent of the money we raise goes to veterans," Stumpf noted. Last year's ride was canceled due to the pandemic, but organizers were still able to raise $24,000 through donations.
Stumpf noted that anyone is welcome to participate in the ride, with or without a motorcycle. "Anybody with any vehicle can join us," he stated, adding that the ride draws new and returning participants each year, some of whom come from out of state. "When we did the ride two years ago, our long-distance participant winner was from New Jersey."
Stumpf said the success of the ride comes from a combination of something fun to do with friends while supporting a great cause. "It's the lure of riding on New Year's Day, getting outside and knowing that everything we raise is going to support veterans," he remarked.
For more information on the event, call Stumpf at 717-468-6197.
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