Riding for a Reason: 10 Wisconsin Summer 2018 Motorcycle Charity Events
June 28, 2018
When you’re a motorcycle fanatic, there’s no better way to enjoy a summer weekend in Wisconsin than to get out on your bike and cruise. And, what better way to cruise than to do so in support of a worthy cause.
The team at Unison Credit Union is jam-packed with people who love enjoying life while supporting causes in our local communities. That’s why we compiled a list of upcoming motorcycle charity rides. Take full advantage of the summer weather while giving back to local organizations when you join your fellow bikers on these rides.
Pearly Gates Veterans Ride
Saturday, July 14
Green Bay, WI
Photo courtesy of Pearly Gates Veterans Ride Facebook page
Honor our country’s war veterans on a scenic one-hour ride on Saturday, July 14, at the Pearly Gates Veterans Ride in Green Bay. Each year, the event pays tribute to a different group of war veterans; the 13th Annual ride will honor Iraq War Veterans.
The event kicks off with a military ceremony at 11:15 a.m. and riders return around 4:30 p.m. for music, food, and beverages – along with a raffle, auction, and grand prize totaling $15,000.
Proceeds from the ride benefit veterans and veteran’s families in the Green Bay area by disbursing funds to scholarship programs, summer care packages, the DAV transportation program, Christmas baskets to families in need, and more.
Watch footage from the previous year’s events below to see the incredible comradery, support, and gratitude shown to veterans by bikers, spectators, and event staff.
7th Annual Veteran’s Benefit and Ride
Saturday, July 14
Oshkosh, WI
Image courtesy of 7th Annual Veterans Benefit and Ride event page
Head to Oshkosh on July 14 for the 7th Annual Veterans Benefit and Ride. The benefit includes the ride, gun raffles, basket raffles, music, and more. All proceeds support the Winnebagoland Marines Inc. for Winnebago Detachment #357 Marine Corps League – a league that focuses efforts on working with Marines to improve the lives of the local community through events, service, and more.
Participants assist the Winnebago Detachment League, an organization dedicated to protecting and advancing welfare of wounded and disabled Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Navy Chaplains and their families.
3rd Annual Toys for Tots Ride
Saturday, July 21
New London, WI
Photo courtesy of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin-Fox Valley Facebook page (2017 Event)
Join the Harley Classic Riders as they sponsor the 3rd Annual Toys for Tots Ride in New London. Bikers can enjoy 100 scenic miles on their motorcycle while supporting Children’s Hospital in Neenah.
Toys for Tots’ decades-long tradition of giving provides families in need with toys at Christmastime. The organization was founded by the U.S. Marine Corps to provide a sign of hope to less fortunate children.
Supporters and participants will gather at Phil’s Still where prizes, lunch, and fun will be provided after the ride finishes. In addition to the donation of an unwrapped, new toy, all additional money raised will be used to purchase toys for the Toys for Tots charity and donated to the hospital. Toys donated to hospitals are typically used to calm the fears of children being treated for illness or injury.
Last year’s event raised over one thousand dollars and many toys for the hospital. Harley Classic Riders’ goal is to exceed last year in support of this local cause.
Ride for the Mind 2018
Saturday, July 28
Fond du Lac, WI
Photo courtesy of Ride for the Mind Facebook page
Support individuals and family members who are touched by mental illness at the 4th Annual Ride for the Mind.
Organized by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) of Fond du Lac, the chapter strives to remove the stigma and nurture recovery through advocacy, education, and outreach. NAMI shares that one in five Americans live with a mental health condition. Funding helps the local NAMI Fond du Lac chapter provide care to families, individuals, and caretakers affected mental illness.
The event commences at 9:00 a.m. and is topped off with a live auction, lunch, music, and a chance to win Green Bay Packers tickets.
14th Annual Charity Ride: Mission of Hope House
Saturday, August 11
Bear Creek, WI
Photo courtesy of NAMI Fond du Lac
Join The Mob on August 11, 2018 as they ride to support the Mission of Hope House of WI in their 14th Annual Charity Ride. Live music and entertainment will follow the ride.
Mission of Hope provides temporary housing, food, and training for families and individuals in need of assistance. Last year, The Badger Herald reported that over 5,000 individuals experienced homelessness in Wisconsin. Organizations like Mission of Hope House of WI help to bring this number down and be a local resource – they also rely on community events such as the 14th Annual Charity Ride to fund their organization as a whole and continue to help the state.
Harley-Davidson 115th Anniversary Charity Rides
Wednesday, August 29 – Friday, August 31
Milwaukee, WI
Photo courtesy of Thomas Bunton via Flickr Creative Commons
Military Day Charity Ride
Wednesday, August 29
Join the House of Harley for a Military Day Charity Ride as they support the Wisconsin Veterans Network (VetsNet). VetsNet lends a helping hand to homeless and at-risk veterans in Milwaukee and surrounding counties.
The VetsNet organization shares, “Many veterans and their families find it nearly impossible to navigate the myriad of agencies that provide services, and find the regulations and restrictions often prevent them from qualifying for programs.” VetsNet simplifies services to help more struggling individuals. Since 2008, the organization facilitates and coordinates assistance such as emergency relief, homelessness, benefits counseling, financial counseling, substance abuse, mental health, employment counseling, and more.
The Military Day Charity Ride registration begins at 11:00 a.m. with the ride starting at 12:30 p.m.
Law Enforcement Day Charity Ride
Thursday, August 30
Celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 115th anniversary while supporting a good cause when you join House of Harley for a charity ride benefiting Milwaukee-area law enforcement. The charity ride benefits Wisconsin Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a group that provides resources to surviving families of officers killed in the line of duty.
Each year, between 140 and 160 officers are killed on the job, leaving their families and co-workers to cope with the loss. C.O.P.S. shares that there is no membership fee to join the organization as the price paid for the loss is already too high.
Bikers looking to support C.O.P.S. can head to registration at 8:30 a.m. The ride starts at 10:00 a.m. and includes a lunch and beverage for each registered person. Live music from
No Quarter will begin at 6:00 p.m. following the event.
Firefighter/EMS Day Charity Ride
Friday, August 31
Support the Milwaukee Fire Department Junior Firefighters Institute (JFI) when you ride alongside House of Harley for this special charity ride.
JFI helps students ages 14-20 learn whether firefighting is a career they’d like to pursue, ultimately promoting growth in firefighting careers. Members become familiar with firefighting tasks with real equipment while also participating in community service functions with the Milwaukee Fire Department.
Supporters of the firefighting profession will begin the charity ride at 10:00 am. Lunch and a beverage is provided to registered participants. Live music by Saddlebrook will follow the event from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
12th Annual Ride to Remember
Saturday, September 8
Kaukauna, WI
Photo courtesy of Fire and Iron Station 141
Join the Fire and Iron Station 141 Firefighter Motorcycle Club on a 120-mile ride to raise funds to send burn-injured children to the week-long Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth.
Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth is a care program for children with life-altering burn injuries. The camp promotes healing and life beyond their injuries and teaches survivors that they aren’t a victim of their circumstances. Events such as the 14th Annual Ride to Remember allow survivors to attend camp at no cost to their families. Families of children who attend camp talk about the enormous impact the camp makes on their children’s lives.
The 12th Annual Ride to Remember ride begins at the Kaukauna Fire Department and ends at JJ Maloney’s for a post-ride celebration.
Kickstands Up!
Kick up your kickstand and rev that engine as you cruise through Wisconsin during an upcoming charity ride. If you know of other charity rides that are happening locally, share them with us on our Facebook page so others can join you.
If you’re looking to upgrade your bike or become a first-time owner, talk to the folks at Unison. From competitive motorcycle loans to helpful Member Advisors who can give you tips to save, our crew will help lead you down the road to make your motorcycle wishes come true. Visit one of our conveniently located branches in North Kaukauna, South Kaukauna, Little Chute, Grand Chute, Wrightstown, or De Pere, message us online, or give us a call at 920-766-6000.