Join Monk's Ride to help lung patients

Northwest Community Healthcare Foundation will be the beneficiary of proceeds from the Fourth Annual Monk's Ride, a tributary motorcycle run on Sunday, Aug. 19, in Algonquin to support Northwest Community Healthcare and honor the late Dennis "Monk" Heidmann, who was a lung cancer patient at Northwest Community Hospital.

Riders register and pay a donation to participate - cars, vans, trucks are welcome as well. Signup begins at 9:30 a.m. at Tavern at the Bridge, 101 E. Algonquin Road, in Algonquin. The ride begins at 10 a.m. with stops along the way, and ends at Skeeters Saloon, 1691 Elgin Road (Route 25) in Carpentersville, where an auction and other festivities will take place.

Last year, 150 riders raised more than $5,500, which went directly to the Northwest Community Hospital Radiation Oncology Program where "Monk" was diagnosed and treated for lung cancer in 2011. More than $18,000 has been raised since the ride's inception in 2014.

"The money is going right to Northwest Community Hospital, where Monk got excellent treatment," his wife, Peggy Heidmann, said. "Everyone loved Monk and now we have this tribute to him."

"We are very grateful to Peggy and her family for organizing such a successful event every year in memory of her husband and in honor of the physicians, nurses and staff who cared for Monk," Executive Director Dave Ungurean, Northwest Community Healthcare Foundation, said.

"Proceeds from the event continue to support the excellent care provided by our Radiation Oncology team at Northwest Community Hospital."

Several "Monk" items will be auctioned off at Skeeters, such as football memorabilia from his semipro football days, and T-shirts bearing his image.

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