BonnerSprings.com

The Wyandotte County Red Cross is hoping its upcoming Ride for the Red motorcycle trek will strengthen relationships between the organization and county.

Melissa Bynum, director of resource development for the Wyandotte County Red Cross chapter, said the ride was a way to raise money for disaster relief while improving relationships with their entire service area. She said often people only associate the chapter with Kansas City, Kan., because that is where the office is located, but in fact, she said, a great effort is made to reach out to everyone in the county.

"We work hard at those western Wyandotte County relationships," she said. "We try to make sure that people in Bonner in Edwardsville understand we're here for them too."

The motorcycle ride and poker run will be from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 starting at Fuel American Made Bar and Grill, 7300 W. 119th St., Overland Park, Kan. Registration is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the cost is $25 per rider.

From Overland Park, the riders will follow the route through Osawatomie, Paola, Spring Hill and then end at Hooters, 1712 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. Following the last stop, there will be an after-party from 8 p.m. to midnight at Kobi's Club and Deli, 113 Oak St., Bonner Springs.

Bynum said she was excited about the after-party because the Red Cross has a solid relationship with Kobi's and has appreciated the bar's support throughout the years. She also added that because Bonner would be celebrating Tiblow Days on the same event everyone could join in to those activities as well.

"We'll just kind of help Bonner Springs wrap up their Tiblow Days," she said. "It's a great end to a fun weekend in Bonner."

This will be third year for the Ride for the Red event, and Bynum said it has continued to grow each year. The first year there were 50 participants, which increased to 110 participants in the second year. This year, organizers have a goal of 300 riders and already have 120 people who have pre-registered.

"We're pretty satisfied that before the ride even occurs we're sitting at 120," she said. "We're excited about it. It's just a really fun way for motorcycle enthusiasts to support the Red Cross."

Bynum credits the event's success to the work of the volunteers who help recruit riders and organize the event to make it an enjoyable ride for everyone. She said everyone works hard because the cause helps people in their own area.

When telling people about the event and why they should participate, Bynum said she always asks people to imagine what they would do if they found themselves standing outside their house in the middle of the night watching it burn down.

"It's all about helping them visualize what would you would do," she said. "It's the Red Cross that would come be with you on the sidewalk and begin helping you with what your needs are. We are the agency that is going to help you after that disaster."

All participants receive a commemorative "Ride for the Red" T-shirt, a calendar, wing buffet at Hooter's, and are entered in prize drawings for up to $1,000 in Harley Davidson merchandise.

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