Sound Harley raises funds to fight prostate cancer

SMOKEY POINT — More than 30 bikers took to the road to support the fight against a type of cancer that event organizers say needs more attention.

Sound Harley-Davidson teamed up with the Smokey Point Safeway store to offer the “Ride Today, Live Tomorrow” round-trip fundraiser which started at, and returned to, Sound Harley on June 11, collecting at least $25 from each rider to combat prostate cancer.

“This affects one out of every six men,” said Rob Jones, manager of the Smokey Point Safeway. “It’s just good to give back.”

“We’ve had several of our customers affected by this nasty disease, so we were thrilled when Rob approached us for this cause,” said Kari Korsgren, marketing and events manager for Sound Harley. “All of the proceeds collected go toward prostate cancer research and they all stay local.”

Arlington’s Rick Stevens was “one of the first in line” to sign up for this event, and he echoed Korsgren’s assertion that such charity rides are a big part of biker culture.

“I’m just like, ‘Screw it, let’s ride,’” Stevens laughed. “I do it for my sanity as much as anything else. When you’re on the road, nothing else seems to matter.”

Marysville’s Randy McDonald, head ride captain for the Puget Sound Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, explained that his chapter hits the road for about two charity rides a month, which goes up to about six charity rides a month during the summer.

“Sound Harley does a lot of good for this community,” McDonald said. “They do a lot of charity runs through here. We’ve been able to raise money for groups like the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and the Marysville, Arlington, Stanwood and Camano Island food banks. It’s very community-centered.”

 

Contact Arlington Times Reporter Kirk Boxleitner at kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5052.

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