Motorcyclists invade Marion for good cause
A bunch of motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to roll into Marion Saturday for the first annual KVC Motorcycle Ride for Kids.
The ride will benefit children and families served by KVC (Kaw Valley Center), a private, not-for-profit agency located in El Dorado which provides placement and services for foster children and their families.
The general public is invited to visit Central Park on Main Street and join with motorcyclists in the fun. Included in the day's events are a public barbecue, auction, and raffle.
Motorcyclists are asked to arrive between 9 and 11 a.m. to register at the park. For $20, they will receive a meal, patch, raffle ticket, and a scenic tour of Marion County. The tour will leave going west out of town and arrive back in town from the east. A poker run in the town from 9 a.m. to noon is optional.
A $5 barbecue meal provided by KVC will be served in the park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gary Vogel of Marion will prepare the roast pork.
Beginning at noon, a raffle drawing will be held every half hour. A $1 donation will buy one raffle ticket. A $5 donation will buy seven.
More than 100 donated items will be sold at auction beginning at 1 p.m. They include such things as leather jackets, helmets, coolers, die-cast models, and Harley-Davidson items. Ora Hett will be the auctioneer.
Other activities include a "Bikers Against Child Abuse" booth, Kansas Highway Patrol seatbelt demonstration, foster parent booth, KVC memorabilia booth, Kiwanis drink stand, and kettle corn.
Activities for kids will include a moon walk, face painting, and fire engine on display.
Money raised will assist foster kids and their foster parents with extra expenses such as school band instruments, braces if not covered by a medical card, and other things not available through any other means.
Rose Vinduska, supervisor for KVC family services, said if enough funding comes in, KVC will contribute some money to the foster parent conference to be held in Kansas City in December. There are activities for the whole family including a banquet meal. Foster parents will receive continuing education in foster care.
Vinduska said she has been overwhelmed with the response so far to this first-time event. She said businesses, organizations, and individuals from Marion County and throughout the state have contributed cash, raffle and auction items, and supplies to help make the day a success.
She is hoping that people will turn out in large numbers to support a good cause.
