Motorcycle ride benefits soldiers and veterans
Soldiers and veterans are the focus of a motorcycle ride to St. Charles today.
The rides will start from the north (Island Lake) and south (Morris), ending up at Zylstra Harley-Davidson.
All proceeds will benefit the Illinois USO, Hines VA Hospital and Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans.
A large focus of the event to highlight the Cell Phones for Soldiers program in Illinois. This is a non-profit program where people can drop off their old cell phones at any AT&T Wireless location. Cell Phones for Soldiers will recycle them and use the proceeds to buy pre-paid phone cards to distribute to soldiers overseas and their families.
The 65-70-mile run has two starting points -- Island Lake Café, 310 E. State Road (Route 176), in Island Lake and R-Place Family Restaurant, 21 Romines Dr. (Route. 47), in Morris -- and will end at Zylstra at 131 S. Randall Road. Participants have to leave the starting points by 11:30 a.m.
The Illinois Rolling Thunder Chapter One bikers and Mayor Don DeWitte will make a ceremonial phone donation at Zylstra Harley-Davidson at about 10:30 a.m.
"Our main goal is to continue the AT&T legacy of supporting our men and women overseas," AT&T spokesperson Bryan Blaise said.
Blaise said that AT&T has more than 70 calling centers set up for soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. The company has also distributed more than 30,000 phone calls and donated nearly $8 million dollars to this cause.
There will be a raffle, vendors and a rock concert by local bands that lasts all afternoon at Zylstra. Guests and speakers include Illinois military personnel and more than 30 injured and non-injured veterans.
Registration is $30 an includes the ride, breakfast at each starting point, a T-shirt and pin. People can register on-site with cash or money order only. They must have proof of insurance and sign a waiver. Concert tickets can also be purchased on-site for $20.
For more information on the on Cell Phones for Soldiers visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.