7th Annual Pride Ride Set for June 28 - Monday, June 16, 2008

FORT WAYNE (June 9, 2008) – The 7th Annual American Pride Ride, a motorcycle ride and auction benefiting United Way of Allen County, is set for Saturday, June 28, 2008.

Over the last six years, local organized labor has planned the American Pride Ride and raised more than $60,000 for United Way of Allen County and the services it funds. Approximately 350 riders take part each year.

This year’s Pride Ride will be at Headwaters Park in downtown Fort Wayne. Registration runs from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The first riders will leave at 9 a.m. and the last riders will return at 3 p.m. Food, music and special events are from noon to 5:30 p.m. A bike show and live auction begin at 3:30 p.m. Costs are $15 per person for the ride and food, $6 per person for food only.

First riders out will make a special stop at Lutheran Children’s Hospital, where riders will give teddy bears to young patients. Bikers and children will meet next to the helicopter pad at the hospital. A few of the teddy bears may also be taken to children inside.

92.3 The Fort radio is the media sponsor and Current Mechanical Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 166 is the event sponsor. Music will be provided by BD and the Penetrators and Dealer’s Choice. Todd’s Olde Town Tavern will supply beverages.

“Organized labor has a long history of commitment to United Way of Allen County,” said Vickie Meyers, director of labor and community services. “Labor members believe in helping their community; raising money to support United Way and its agency partners is one of the best ways to accomplish this goal.”

For more information about the American Pride Ride, contact Vickie Meyers at 260.422.4776.

Through United Way’s unique role of encouraging a common vision, the organization helps bring the entire community together to find effective solutions to vital issues. Through fundraising, United Way helps support a broad range of services that includes more than 70 programs and other initiatives to improve lives and provide lasting change. United Way priorities are services that improve success in school, promote family stability and meet basic needs.

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Contacts:
Rick Farrant, Director of Marketing & Communications, 422-4776 or rickf@uwacin.org
Mary Tyndall, e-Communications Coordinator, 422-4776 or maryt@uwacin.org