Wish Ride of Colorado celebrates new beginnings at kickoff party
Mar. 4—The Longmont fundraising event Frank's Ride for Children ended last summer, but a new nonprofit has stepped up to keep the tradition alive.
Wish Ride of Colorado is taking over for Frank's Ride, a charity vehicle run made up mostly of motorcyclists that was held in the city for 35 years. The name might be different, but the basics of the ride and its purpose are the same: to raise money for children with critical illnesses through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
"Our goal is to keep it going to make other kids' wishes come true," said Tabitha Keagle, in charge of marketing for Wish Ride of Colorado.
Members of the new group's leadership said they've known each other for years through participating in and volunteering for Frank's Ride. When they heard the ride's organizers, Greg and Tammy Risedorf, were retiring last year due to health issues, they decided to take the event on themselves. The rebranding to Wish Ride of Colorado, Keagle explained, is to make it easier for people to renew the event down the line.
"We want this to be able to continue on through other people," she said. "If we retire and move on, somebody else can come and take it over."
This year's ride, set for June 10, will include four stops around the Longmont area, culminating in a celebration with games, food and a live auction. The group is aiming to raise enough money to support at least one Make-a-Wish kid for its inaugural year. Local kids and previous Make-a-Wish recipients are also invited to participate.
"It really is a community thing," said president Ken Blackford. "It's for the kids, but it's also to do something every year so the community can come together."
Kevin Keagle, vice president, said Wish Ride of Colorado has been working quickly to raise awareness and get everything official, including officially registering as a nonprofit just a few days ago. Wish Ride of Colorado has a Facebook page and is building a website.
To celebrate and raise awareness for the ride's continuation, the group held a kickoff party Saturday afternoon at Rocky Mountain Saloon in Longmont. Bar staff donated hamburgers and hot dogs for the party, which featured performances from local bands Whiskey Starship and Half Passed Grass. Two more similar events are also planned for the coming months to generate awareness and collect donations.
"We're trying to get the next generation involved and establish the next 35 years," Blackford said.
Longmont resident Tom Plahte, who served as road captain for Frank's Ride and will fill that role again this summer, was one of many guests showing their support for the transition on Saturday. Plahte said he wasn't surprised to learn that the event and its mission would be carried on.
"We're not going to let it pass away," he said.
