Magic Carpet Ride & Children of Fallen Riders

Mark your calendars, and make sure you block off the day.

Children of Fallen Riders – Magic Carpet Ride is  being held at Port of Blarney’s again this year on August 26th, 2012 – we are honored that the American Legion Riders will be assisting us with our run this year, with flags flying proudly.

The run will have one stop this year, a scenic route through-out Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, stopping at Player’s Park South for a 50/50 drawing.

If you haven’t caught up with us on facebook, please friend us on there, and help us continue to spread the word about Children of Fallen Riders.  Your support keeps us going!

A special Thank You to the Lack Family once again, helping us – Shawna got us involved with a program with Kohl’s and volunteers!

Each little bit helps – anyone out there that would like to go after the Trib Local they have a quarterly contest and you can nominate a charity to win 500.00, I just haven’t had the time to investigate it further.

If anyone hasn’t had a chance to watch the video’s from our Winter Event,  they are below.  Check out the video post on facebook dated January 16th,  of all the bikes leaving the Port of Blarney last year, come join us and make us that much stronger, and let’s make the video of the bikes leaving this year, 15 minutes long!

 

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The Ground Shakes Beneath Your Feet

At some point in all our lives, we have felt that feeling for one reason or another.  When the ground we stand on shakes beneath your feet.   Close your eyes and imagine for a moment, that middle of the night phone call….turning around and your 2 year old is not by your side….you hear through the phone tree that a gun was brought to your child’s school….your parent that suffers from Alzheimer’s and  is unaccounted for….

You begin to shake from a place you didn’t know existed and your mind races like a car on the autobahn.   There is also another ground shake that vibrates and resonates up your feet and legs and lands smack dab in your heart.  It is the sound of 500 plus motorcycles and people coming together to support a “cause”.

We thank each and every one of you out there that has come out the last several years to support our “cause” and ask that you join us in supporting another cause that many are not aware that exist.  We would like to introduce you to Nadja and Office Terry a team that is out there when most of us are in panic mode.

Nadja is a specially trained K-9 Unit that works in our area and is called out through-out Illinois to help locate missing children, Alzheimer’s patients and is trained to track gun-powder resin.   Nadja is available to us through 100% donations, her training and housing is supplied out of the passion that Terry has for what he calls “The Spirit Of The Law” – I met Terry when Leathers 4U helped design and provide Nadja with her Kevlar Vest that protects her when she is called out to do her job.

Tim and I got to sit down with Terry yesterday and understand more about what it is she does and what it is that Terry is all about.  I can only say, what an AMAZING TEAM!

“The Spirit Of The Law” is what drives Terry on a daily basis, I can not even come close to writing how this team makes a difference that so many are unaware of.  I can only ask that you come out and hear and see it for yourselves on June 10th. 

Terry explained to Tim and I yesterday about a recent child that had gone missing, as he spoke, he spoke as if this child was his own, he went into a seek and find mode that is best left served hearing from him. As he began explaining the process, his eyes became intense, and his entire demeanor changed, in my mind’s eye, I pictured myself in a “mother’s panic mode” one that I can not even fathom, to have someone like Terry with a partner like Nadja that has capabilities that assist us in our darkest hours.

Come out and support those that are helping support us.  June 10th – Bikers For Barkers Run to keep Nadja sniffing us to safety!

 

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Thanks From Joff

My name is Joff Paradise, I would like to say thank you in so many ways for the help of C.O.F.R. I was short on my mortgage and you all came through for us in a time that i need a miracle.

May God Bless you all and Thank You so very very much.

Peace and Love,

Joff

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Neighbors & Friends

Support Small Businesses that support us! We would like to welcome two companies to our “family” at COFR !

Rt 12. Bar & Grill for some awesome hamburgers and good company! If you are looking for something to do – Rt. 12 is having a bike blessing on April 29th, 2012, along with a steam wash and just lots of good food & music! Contests, Daily Specials, and lots of summer events coming up.

A1-American Tee’s has also just launched a line of shirts called the Bone Yard Brothers donating proceeds to Children Of Fallen Riders.

 

If you are new to the area, or if your friends are busy and you just want to get out and ride, join the team at Rt. 12 Bar & Grill on Sundays at 11:00 am, and take a ride! No matter what you ride, just ride!

A1-American Tee’s is based out of Florida and Don came into my life as so many do, a simple email, with an idea to “team” up.  Don @ A1-American are Top Quality in all senses of the word.  Take a minute to walk through the site and continue to support our efforts by supporting those that support us!

 

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Drive Safely

I remember a while back, when my son was in drivers ed and we were getting ready to go somewhere, and he said to me, “I’ll drive” my response was “no not this time, than I’d have to pay attention…”

We take for granted our driving privileges, I had no idea at the time the impact that statement would have on me in the future and running this charity.

Danny Mauro – 5/2-1965 – 6/26/2011 – was victim of the carelessness of another – we recently helped out Danny’s wife and in her words she said – Thank you for all you do for the families who have to suffer such a loss of a loved one, in most part due to the carelessness of others.

We get emails and requests that always have an impact on us.  From Danny’s children,  Jesse, Brianna, Kaysie and Daniel we ask all of you to drive safely as the spring approaches.

There is no immediate need to frantically search for a cell phone to answer a text or a call.  I admit, I have been guilty of it before,  but maybe if we picture Danny, or if we think of his wife and children who were left behind.  Our decision will be different.

Do not let yourself be the reason that someone get’s a call that turns their life upside down.

 

 

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