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More than 30 members of various police department motorcycle patrol units escorted hundreds of motorcyclists on a brisk autumn morning for the 60-mile trip from Bergen County Harley Davidson in Rochelle Park to Chestnut Street in Ridgewood.Participants in the run or in the bike vanity contest contributed $20 towards Tomorrows Children’s Fund at Hackensack Hospital.
“Those who are involved in the fund - they are definitely angels that fell from heaven,” said the Office owner Hugh Cohen. "We are really happy to have them here today.”
Cohen was drawn to the cause when Shane James Jr., the son of a recently retired borough officer, was diagnosed with cancer. The James' family refused financial help but supported Cohen’s fundraising efforts for others.
“My whole family comes to support the cause,” said Amanda D’Annibale, who was selling raffle tickets at the event. Her brother Nicholas was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, and now at age 15, has since recovered. She has been volunteering ever since.
“I set up some baskets, we’re offering a trip to Boston, Hughey got these special edition bottles from breweries - I don’t even know how much they must cost, but they are so great,” she said.
Attendees enjoyed refreshments as well as performances by Dads Night Band, a Ridgewood group formed by elementary students’ fathers from the PTO. Like deejay Jerry Porto, who also entertained the crowd, they donated their time.
Hundreds of vintage and newer-model bikes stood on display. Bergen County Harley Davidson offered up a $17,000 model motorcyle for anyone who rolled out the word “Harley” with dice in a free contest.
“Hughey does a great job. Aside from the year we had Hurricane Sandy when the event was canceled, he’s raised $100,000 over the past ten years,” Porto said.
MORE INFO: http://www.tcfkid.org
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