Duane Hicks
Motorcyclists took to area highways for a road trip Saturday as part of the local Alzheimer Society’s eighth-annual “Ride for Memories,” with this year’s ride ending in Kenora that evening.
The fundraiser saw a total of 140 registered participants and brought in about $27,000, said Alzheimer Society executive director Lynn Moffatt.
The three dozen riders who departed from The Harbourage here around 9:30 a.m. raised more than $7,000.
The three other starting locations across the region were Kenora, Dryden, and Sioux Lookout.
Participants first met for lunch at Totem Lodge in Sioux Narrows. They then made their way to Minaki before returning to Kenora for a steak dinner at the curling club there.
“We had a great year. The weather was perfect,” enthused Moffatt. “Everyone came back to the Kenora Curling Club and we wrapped up with the yummy steak dinner.
“I thought it was really successful,” she later added. “This year we had increased riders, and we made $27,000.
“There were a lot of community members who came out to join us also in Kenora for the steak dinner, and their support is appreciated,” she remarked.
The funds raised will be used to develop new support services for area families affected by Alzheimer’s or a related dementia.
Top pledge-getters were awarded prizes at the dinner. They included Brian McDonald of Dryden ($3,590), Bob Gordon of Kenora ($2,080), and Dave Canfield of Kenora ($1,850).
McDonald won two nights’ accommodation at Tomahawk Lodge in Sioux Narrows.
Gordon deferred his prize—a two-night stay at the Greenwood Inn & Suites in Winnipeg—to be auctioned off to support the Alzheimer’s Society while Canfield did the same thing with his prize (one week’s accommodations for two at the North Star Village in Minaki).
Since the ride was a poker derby, prizes also were given out for the best hands, including three nights’ accommodations at Lakeview Lodge in Nestor Falls.
The fundraising at the steak dinner also was boosted by T-shirt sales, a Chinese auction, and pie auction.
Next year’s “Ride for the Memories” will be hosted in Fort Frances.
In related news, the Alzheimer Society here and across Canada will be holding a “Coffee Break” fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 16.
“We try to get organizations to participate in hosting a coffee break at their businesses,” explained Moffatt, adding all of the proceeds go to the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River District.”
Alzheimer “coffee breaks” can take place anywhere, whether it be retail stores, restaurants, large and small businesses, care facilities, schools, government offices, coffee shops, community centres, or churches.
Staff and/or the public can attend, and get coffee and perhaps dainties for the cost of a donation to the Alzheimer Society.
Any businesses interested are encourage to give Moffatt a call at 1-800-682-0245.
In return, she will send along a host package, which includes coffee, posters, and a coin box.
