Old Bridge -Sayreville-South Amboy
April 2nd 2009
Bikers give back with annual rally
Motorcycle ride, rally to benefit Old Bridge, Sayreville charities
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer
When Ray Fornicola of Parlin makes a promise, he keeps it. Six years ago he made a vow to help brain-injured children in his community, and has kept his word by raising funds through his annual bikers rally. This year's sixth annual ride will take place on April 11, with sign-in at Bello's sports pub in Parlin at 11 a.m.
Fornicola was inspired to start the annual fundraiser by the New Jersey State Elks Association's Miracle Run, a benefit for special needs children. He said he feels he has been blessed and wants to pay it forward by giving back to his community.
Throughout his life, Fornicola said, he has had luck on his side. He considers his wife and two children to be his greatest blessings. He wanted to do his part and help parents of special needs children.
"I see these parents and what they have to go through, and the older these children get, the harder it is," he said.
It takes a full year to plan this one-day event. Fornicola said he has been able to pull it off with the aid of the Elks Motorcycle Club in Cranford. Fornicola, vice president of the club, said the group does a lot for charity.
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"We ride all year long to raise money for those in need, mainly but not limited to children's and veterans charities," he said. The Cranford Elks MC has over 100 members. Last year, it donated more than $30,000 to various charities and rode 67,000 miles in the process. It also plays a major role in the Miracle Run, which raises money for Camp Moore, a camp for special needs children.
Since the Cranford Elks MC started in 1999, many other Elks lodges have created their own motorcycle clubs. At last count, Fornicola said, there were more than 1,000 people across the country riding around with the Elks "Riding for Charity" patch on the back of their vests.
"So the next time you see a big group of bikers rolling down the Parkway, give them some room because they are more than likely on their way to help someone," Fornicola said.
Last year's Bikers Rally for Brain-Injured Children attracted a crowd of more than 500 and raised approximately $15,000. This year, Fornicola is expecting at least 1,000 people.
All proceeds will be donated to the Sayreville Association for Brain-Injured Children and Camp ROBIN in Old Bridge.
The escorted ride kicks off from Bello's, Roosevelt Avenue and Washington Road, Parlin, at 12:30 p.m.
The rally, with free food and keg beer, will follow at the Old Bridge Elks Lodge, 67 Old Amboy Road. Bands scheduled to perform at the event include Stiff Upper Lip, an AC/DC cover band; Black Rain, a Black Sabbath tribute band; Bone Daddy, a local cover band; and Mike Butler, also known as Little Trash. There is a donation of $20 per person; kids are free.
The event will take place rain or shine. For more information, visit the website www.cranfordelksmc.com or contact Ray at 732-316-1953 or email amfrjf@aol.com.
http://suburban.gmnews.com/news/2009/0416/front_page/001.html
SCOTT FRIEDMAN Guitarist Rich Mog of the band
Stiff Upper Lip
rocks out to an AC/DC song during the sixth annual
Bikers Rally for Brain-Injured Children Saturday
at the Old Bridge Elks lodge. The event,
featuring performances from several bands,
was presented by the Elks Motorcycle Club
and raised money for the Sayreville Association for
Brain-Injured Children and Old Bridge's Camp ROBIN.