'It takes a village'; Ride for Hope raises $20,013 for Stary Family
Ride for Hope, a registered 501(c) Illinois charity, conceived and organized by JuliAnne Scully, raised $20,013 for Kris Stary, a Palatine High School teacher battling cancer.
More than $18,000 was raised at a special, one-day only benefit on Dec. 3, at Moretti's Ristorante and Pizzeria in Bartlett.
The grand total also included $1,117.23 raised at a Dine to Donate event on Nov. 12, at the Village Tavern and Grill in Schaumburg.
Since its inception Ride for Hope has believed in the power of community support to help women battling cancer with financial hardships.
The charity has raised over a quarter of a million dollars through its "Teal Tribe" network of volunteers, sponsors, businesses, bikers, family and friends.
"We've created a community culture where the number one goal is helping women and their families on their devastating cancer journey," said Scully a 39-year ovarian cancer survivor. "Kris Stary was originally diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which was subsequently determined to be urothelial carcinoma cancer in her liver and all her urinary organs. The most recent pathology report from Johns Hopkins revealed that both cancers are present."
While health insurance covers some of the costs of cancer care, a plan does not typically cover all the costs such as copays, out of network specialists, prescriptions and clinical trials.
Scully provided the necessary expertise and connections to coordinate the Stary Family event including reaching out to the Conant High School community where Stary's two children attend.
"These football moms and the high school teachers, administration, and staff have come together to help one of their own by volunteering and helping to solicit donations, spreading the word about the event, and showing up to support Kris," Scully said.
Support also came from event sponsors: Marathon Sportswear, Romantix Inc., Dazzles Salon and Spa, Hollie Doodleman Kennel in Iowa, and supporters such as Never Ending Cycles, Pesche's, and other local businesses.
"Volunteers made Blackhawk and crocheted blankets, solicited silent auction and box drawing donations and gift cards. They worked the event and became part of our Teal family," Scully said.
The inspirational afternoon of dining and donating featured a buffet and sweet table, pictures with Santa and his elves, and upbeat music by Bronson Rock.
Winners included Renee Ottesen, who won the $1,000 gift card tree raffle drawing, Jerry Jenkinson, whose high bid won the Bernedoodle puppy, Harley, and Steve Gorski, who won the Split the Pot raffle, then donated back his $625 winnings.
The highlight of the afternoon was a moving speech by Kris Stary and her family.
Kris said, "I am so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and positive energy from my students, my kids' teachers, my friends, my family, and my new friends here today."
Her husband echoed her sentiments saying, "You never think something like this is going to happen to you, and we might never have the opportunity to pay it back, but we will take every opportunity to pay it forward."
To Scully he said, "I don't know what star you fell from, but I'm so glad you landed here. Thank you."
The ninth annual Ride for Hope motorcycle ride and celebration will be July 14, 2024. It will feature a 50-mile scenic ride and after party, including live music, a silent auction, box drawings, a split the pot raffle, the Teal Marketplace, the LMS Comfort Dogs an opportunity to sign the life-size teal survivor ribbons, and the annual Chopper Gift Card raffle.
Online registration through Eventbrite will open after the first of the year. Day-of registration for the ride is from 8-10 a.m., with kickstands up at 10:30 a.m. Riders and nonriders are then welcome at the after-party from 1-4 p.m.
Visit the Ride for Hope website at www.rideforhopeil.org for information about the 2024 ride.
To join the teal tribe of volunteers and sponsors, contact JuliAnne Scully at ocrideforhope2015@gmail.com or on Facebook at Ride for Hope-Schaumburg.