Charity ride to benefit Heartland shelter
Northbrook-based Heartland Animal Shelter supporters are embarking on a special fundraiser this weekend. Community Outreach Coordinator Kathy Mordini tells us what you need to know.
Q. Please give us the basic information about the event. What is happening?
A. Hogs for Dogs (and Kitties Too) is a Charity Ride to benefit Heartland Animal Shelter and will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. at Heartland Animal Shelter, at 2975 Milwaukee Ave. in Northbrook. Riders will leave the Heartland parking lot around 10:45 a.m., and eventually end up at Jesse Oaks in Gages Lake. Although the bulk of the riders in this event are on motorcycles, it's open to vehicles of all types and people of all ages.
Q. How long has this event been in existence? How has it changed, and what is new this year?
A. This is the 3rd Annual Hogs for Dogs ride. This year, the ride will end at a new venue, Jesse Oaks, at 18490 W. Old Gages Lake Road in Gages Lake, and there will be live music by The Average Joe Band. When the event started two years ago, it drew about 75 riders, and the number doubled to 150 participants last year. We are hoping to see the numbers double again this year.
Q. What charity does this benefit? Who are the sponsors or big donors who make the event possible?
A. Proceeds benefit Heartland Animal Shelter in Northbrook, a no-kill humane organization dedicated to finding homeless animals their forever homes while educating the public on spaying and neutering their pets in order to decrease pet overpopulation.
Q. This year's event is sponsored by the Friends and Volunteers of Heartland, Jesse Oaks, The Average Joe Band and Sandy's Restaurant. This year, several volunteers and other businesses have made large donations for the raffle after the ride, including Larry Stots, Jim McHugh, Mo Feinblatt and Sutton Studios.
Q. Why is the charity important to you?
A. Heartland has had a big impact, helping to save cats and dogs (and a few birds, rabbits and other small animals). Last year, more than 1,100 dogs and cats found new homes thanks to Heartland.
Q. Is there a fundraising goal?
A. This year's fundraising goal is $10,000.
Q. Are there specific or special activities taking place along with the fundraiser? For example, games and bounce houses for children, games and crafts, music, etc.?
A. After the riders pull into Jesse Oaks, there will be 50/50 Raffle Tickets and a Head-to-Toe Raffle for awesome prizes such as a Sutton Studios Photography package, Chicago Bears Tickets, 3D Art by Mo Feinblatt, BBQ grill, tripodal Work Lites, tool chest, LED-lighted Sox, Cubs and Harley signs, Marriot Lincolnshire theater tickets, doggy gift baskets from Ladies of Harley-Chicago Glenview Chapter, and many more fun prizes.
The Average Joe Band will be providing the music at Jesse Oaks after the ride.
Q. What kinds of food and beverages will be for sale?
A. Before the ride at Heartland, there will be a light breakfast with food provided by Einstein's Bagels in Arlington Heights and Palatine, Starbucks, and Dunkin' Donuts, along with bottled water from Garden Fresh Market in Arlington Heights.
After the ride there will be free brats, burgers and salads for all registered attendees at Jesse Oaks.
Q. Tell us about the volunteers and organizers who pull this together.
A. Volunteers Jim and Debbie McHugh coordinate this event. Jim and Debbie are avid motorcyclists who support many charity rides throughout the year, and, as volunteers at Heartland, proposed the charity ride to the board members to help raise funds to support the not-for-profit organization. Jim has mapped out an awesome 75-mile observation ride throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, ending in Gages Lake. Chicago HOG Chapter Road Captains will be on hand to ensure an enjoyable safe ride.
Q. Is there anything else we should know?
A. We encourage participants to bring any donations of items from our shelter's wish list to receive a free raffle ticket per item. The wish list is located on Heartland's Web site at heartlandanimalshetler.net.
If you go
What: Heartland Animal Shelter's Hogs for Dogs fundraiser
When: Sunday, Sept. 20 Registration at 9:30 a.m.; ride begins at 10:45 a.m.
Where: Starts at Heartland Animal Shelter, 2975 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Ends at Jesse Oaks, 18490 W. Gages Lake Road, Gages Lake.
Cost: Cost is $25 per rider in advance at heartlandanimalshelter.net or $30 on Sept. 20. We ask that people bring their receipts from the online registration when they arrive at the shelter for the ride.
More info: heartlandanimalshelter.net; (847) 296-6400; or mchugh15@comcast.net. Participants are also able to set up fundraising pages at firstgiving.com/has to raise additional money for the shelter.