Cruisers raise money for Isabella student
Published 9:29 pm Monday, April 4, 2011
The Lighthouse Cruisers presented Karli Chadwick and her donor Christy Jones Davenport with the money raised from the Lighthouse's bike ride fundraiser held Saturday.
The Lighthouse Cruisers’ bike ride to help raise money for Isabella High School student Karli Chadwick’s kidney transplant was a successful event, surpassing its fundraising goal.
Approximately 250 motorcycles departed Richard Wood Memorial Park in Thorsby Saturday morning and cruised through local towns and cities to raise money to help the Chadwick family pay for Karli’s kidney operation.
“The ride was perfect,” said Ernie Ragsdale, Lighthouse Cruisers vice president. “It was a great turnout, and we had a lot of support from the county.”
With a goal of $10,000, the event pulled in a little more than $11,000.
Bike riders rode for three hours and 15 minutes and raised more than $11,000 for Isabella High School student Karli Chadwick's kidney transplant.
Chadwick, 15, and her donor Christy Jones Davenport, 28, attended the event along with Chadwick’s family.
“We had people from all over participate,” said Ragsdale. “We had riders from Georgia, Mississippi, Huntsville, Mobile and all over the state.”
The group traveled three hours and 15 minutes through Maplesville, Montevallo, Calera, Wilsonville and Jemison and back to the park, where a car show, singing and raffle drawings took place to help with the fundraiser.
Food was donated from Piggly Wiggly and Associated Foods. Isabella High School, Buffalo Rock and Frito Lay also donated to the event.
The Lighthouse Cruisers presented the Chadwick family and Davenport with a check following the ride.
“On behalf of the Lighthouse Cruisers, we would like to thank everyone in the county, the state, the volunteers and radio stations who helped and supported the event,” said Ragsdale. “Overall, the entire county and state did well.”
