ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (March 15, 2019) — Blackhawk Chapter ABATE of Illinois is holding their annual Bears for Buddies Ride on Sunday May 19, 2019. This year, there will also be a Blessing of the Bikes for any riders who are interested.

The Bears for Buddies ride started over 25 years ago and is intended to benefit area children in need, or who have been involved in, traumatic situations. Admission for the ride has always been a new 8-12” stuffed-animal donated at the end of the ride. In the early years of Bears for Buddies, the stuffed animals were donated to the Sheriff’s office to be used in calls in which children were involved. The last several years, they have been donated to the Children’s Therapy Center, and were used to assist in the therapy activities of the local children the Center treats.

The Children’s Therapy Center can no longer use the stuffed animals in the treatment of these children due to allergy issues (although any stuffed animals received can be distributed to other organizations). So, in lieu of (or in addition to) the traditional past donations of new 8-12” stuffed-animals, donations of the following items are being requested: Batteries, diapers (size 1-5), pull-ups (size 3 and 4T), baby-wipes, big bottles of bubbles, and disinfectant-wipes. All these items are used in the Center during the treatment of the several Quad Cities-area children who need physical therapy. Again, any stuffed animals donated will be distributed to other organizations.

The Bears for Buddies Ride 2019 will take place on May 19th,2019, beginning at the Rock Island County Courthouse. Sign up is 11-11:45AM. Ride will leave promptly at noon and end at Illiniwek Park where the donations will be presented. This year, donations of any of the items listed above will be accepted and will benefit the children being treated at the Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities. Blackhawk Chapter ABATE of Illinois will provide a picnic with food and beverages for all participants at the end of the ride. There will also be a blessing of the bikes by the CMA at this year’s event for anyone interested.

 

Blackhawk Chapter ABATE of Illinois is a not for profit motorcyclist rights organization that also promotes motorcycle safety and awareness.

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