What began as a small group of motorcyclists doing a “poker run” for fun, has now become an annual event that brings about 250 riders together to raise money for local families. The 29th annual Wishes on Wheels of Champaign County Benefit Run is happening this Saturday, August 19th. Those interested in riding pay $10 to participate, then that money is used to help grant a wish for a child battling a serious medical condition. From the organization:
In 2017, we helped Abby and her family celebrate Christmas at Disney. They worked with our travel agent to make sure they had everything set for their trip of a lifetime. We were even able to surprise them with a Christmas tree and gifts waiting for them at their hotel on Christmas day. In 2018, we sent Wyatt and his family to Florida for a special deep-sea diving adventure. In 2019, we were able to send Kiara and her family on her dream vacation, a cross-country train trip! What a fun adventure we and our donors like you were able to give this family. Like everyone else, 2020 threw us a curve ball, but we were thrilled to be back at it in 2021, by providing a small trip and a whole state-of-the-art home sensory room for Reese to continue therapy and progress at home. And 2022 allowed us to send Ellie and her family on her dream vacation to Disney.
For this year’s event, breakfast will be served from 9 to 11 a.m. at the VFW Post 5520 at 609 Edgebrook Drive in Champaign ($10 per person for breakfast). Ride signups are from 10 to 11:45 a.m., then as the event page says “kickstands up at noon!”