Representatives of the Salvation Army, three local credit unions and the motorcycle cruise participants celebrated another successful Ride Into History fundraiser on Oct. 10.
A total of $4,080.58 was presented to the Salvation Army's Gateway of Hope shelter, proceeds from the second annual Ride Into History, held last summer.
Ride Into History co-chairs Marq Smith and Troy Gaglardi said the funds were raised by the 55 riders in this year's event, with the support of the three credit unions, Aldergrove Financial Group, Envision Financial and Prospera Credit Union. Representing the Credit Unions were Denise Menzies (Aldergrove), Mike Morrison (Envision) and Bill Sandhu and Erin Nesci (Prospera).
Using their combined resources, these three credit unions provide much-needed sponsorship support to non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army’s Gateway of Hope, to ensure that vital organizations are able to continue to offer their valuable services.
Gaglardi, who is also director of operations for Gateway, noted that the funds raised were the equivalent of 1,230 meals for the homeless at the shelter, 410 lodging days at the shelter, or four full-time cooking courses at the shelter.
Gateway, which opened its doors in 2009, served 61,000 meals last year as well as provided 10,980 bed nights, 500 Christmas hampers and school supplies for 300 children.
The annual summer event, which took place July 26-28, was a big hit with the riders who participated as well as everyone from the surrounding area who came out to share in the community celebration.
“The weather was really spectacular for a ride like this,” said Gaglardi, who was also leader of the ride pack.
"Riders enjoyed a pancake breakfast put on by the Fort Langley Lions at the Fort Langley National Historic Site before heading out on the three-hour scenic ride/poker run that took them as far northeast as the Westminster Abbey South to Birchwood Dairy on the Sumas Prairie. The remainder of Saturday was spent at the Fort site enjoying the vast array of bikes on display as judges took meticulous care in choosing the winners of the Show and Shine and that evening Milestones restaurant catered a delicious prime rib dinner for everyone to enjoy," said Gaglardi.
Plans are already underway for next year’s event as The Ride into History planning committee is in full swing, redesigning the weekend to entice even more riders from across the region.
“(Next year) will bring a 'cruise-n-concert' feel to the Friday evening and offer a full day of events on Saturday for the riders,” said Smith, who is also owner of Western Powersports. “This will be a memorable event that raises money for an important cause and our goal is to have supporters coming back year after year.”