The Love Ride raises a lot of dough for a lot of good causes. This year's event brought in over $1 million. Who says that bikers are an uncaring lot?
The 25th annual Love Ride was one of the most successful to date, with over $1,000,000 being raised to help Southern California-based charities. Over 20,000 motorcyclists converged on the Pomona Fairplex in what is becoming one of the more celebrated fall events on the West Coast. With Grand Marshall Jay Leno’s witty repertoire fueling the crowd, the annual event benefitted from a star-studded lineup of celebrity riders who chipped in for the cause. Headliners Dave Grohl and his band the Foo Fighters and old school favorites like ZZ Top also helped draw in the crowds.
Since its humble beginnings in 1984, the Love Ride has raised over $21 million for non-profit organizations. The annual event has grown into the world’s largest one-day motorcycle fundraising events. It was started by Harley-Davidson of Glendale owner, Glen Shokouh, as a small carnival held behind his shop to help raise money for charity. It has blossomed into one of the greatest philanthropic events hosted by the motorcycling community.
“Love Ride is all about helping those less fortunate – and having a good time while doing it. I am so grateful to all of our 25th Annual participants. During truly challenging times, having such a strong year really demonstrates the heart and commitment of everyone that makes Love Ride possible. We’re looking forward to the next 25 years,” Shokouh said.
The list of beneficiaries of this year’s Love Ride is long and includes the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Autism Speaks, Children's Hospital of L.A., Reading By 9 Child Literacy Initiative, Providence Saint Joseph Foundation, Catholic Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Special Olympics of Southern California, Frostig Center, Scleroderma Foundation, Glendale Community College, Rett Syndrome Foundation, Optimist Youth Homes & Family Centers, Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation, Friends of Castaic Lake and the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.
In a post-concert ceremony, the Top 10 Love Ride fundraisers were awarded prizes. Eric Schmoranzer, who raised $31,025 for the event, won a trip for two to the Swiss Love Ride 17 in Zurich. There was also a raffle held that made Rachel Olmos of Arleta, CA one happy woman after learning that she won the grand prize, a 2009 Harley-Davidson Softail Cross Bones.
Love Ride highlights the fledgling California Bike Week, a three-day rally that is presented by the Love Ride Foundation and the Southern California Harley-Davidson Dealers Association.
