Motorcycle ride raised over $33,000 for Hospice of RR

File photo
Organizers announced that the 15th Ole’s Ride raised more than $33,000 this year and the total from all the rides has surpassed the $250,000 mark.

By Robert Williams

Editor

The 15th Ole’s Ride was the biggest in terms of funds raised with riders and other contributors raising $33,177 for Hospice of the Red River Valley.

The goal was to surpass the quarter-million dollar mark this year, but the $33,000 shot well past that mark and puts next year’s ride in the realm of reaching $300,000.

There were 171 bikes registered for this year’ ride and over 300 people participated. 

“Justin, Jess, Tyson and myself along with the entire Ole’s Ride crew, are humbled and beyond excited,” said Organizer Krissy Barten in a Facebook announcement. “All because of the beautiful, generous people that support Ole’s Ride, Hospice of the Red River Valley will be able to use this money to support many families. We thank you again for everything and we’ll see you for Ole’s Ride 16! God bless!”

This year’s chosen route retraced the same ride as the first one. Ole’s Ride route is designed each year by Mud Berven and Justin Helmke and kept a secret until the day of the ride.

“It was really special to have Ole’s original for our 15th year,” Barten said.

Organizer Jessica Sonnenberg also posted about the ride stating she is left humbled and speechless every single year, but this ride was something special

“I’m forever grateful to the bikers that show up to support the Ride, to the volunteers and friends that generously give their time, to all the people that donate their money to our several raffles and the silent auction, to the sponsors and businesses that support us financially and with donations to the silent auction, and to everyone else that plays a part in this day,” she said. “Thank you! The difference this makes in our community touches so many lives, and for that, we should all be proud.”