200 Riders Traveled The Pacific Northwest From Portland To Milwaukee To Raise Funds And Awareness For Victory Junction
The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, one of the most successful and popular charity rides in the country, today announced its 23rd anniversary Ride raised $1.3 million – the most funds raised in a single year since 2008. Funds raised directly benefit Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Since the Ride’s inception in 1995, more than 8,085 children have attended Victory Junction at no cost to their families. And this year, the Ride will send 100 kids to summer camp at Victory Junction.
On May 13, former NASCAR driver and NBC Sports racing analyst Kyle Petty embarked on a 2,400-mile cross-country route, leading 200 bikers from Portland, Oregon, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Covering eight states in seven days, the Ride ventured to many of our country’s historic landmarks, including Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and for the first time in the Ride’s history, Yellowstone National Park.
Ending the Ride in Harley-Davidson’s hometown of Milwaukee on May 19, riders celebrated at the Harley-Davidson Museum and were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Harley-Davidson Corporate Offices – where some became the first-ever to sign the company’s famous water tower.
“This might be my 23rd year leading the Ride, but the overwhelming support we receive from fans in local towns across America just never ceases to impress me and we’re so grateful for that,” said Petty. “We had a very special welcome in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, where an entire K-12 school came out to greet us, and unforgettable receptions in Walla Walla, Washington, and in Mitchell, South Dakota. Not to mention the support from small towns like Kooskia, Idaho, and Raymond and Darwin, Minnesota.”
This year’s Ride surpassed last year’s total funds raised by $300,000. Funds were gathered from fans along the route, as part of the Ride’s “Small Change. Big Impact.” program, as well as donations made by generous sponsors, organizations, and the riders themselves.
“We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our loyal sponsors, and this year we were fortunate enough to visit our friends at Manheim Portland, Manheim Minneapolis, WinCraft Inc. and Harley-Davidson,” said Petty. “Not only did these companies make generous contributions to our cause, but they also made an extra special effort to provide our riders with great food, live music, activities and more.”
This year’s Ride also featured several celebrity riders, including NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven time champion Richard Petty, NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee, Hershel McGriff, NASCAR legends Harry Gant and Donnie Allison, former NFL great and ESPN’s 2016 Coaches Poll greatest college football player of all time, Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy winner (1980) and Super Bowl champion (XXII) George Rogers, NBC Sports NASCAR personality Rick Allen, and Harley-Davidson Museum president, Bill Davidson, whose great grandfather who founded the company.
“Traveling across the country with friends and family on two wheels is an amazing experience in itself, but what makes this Ride truly special is that it’s all for the kids at Victory Junction. That’s why we ride,” said Kyle’s father, Richard Petty. “Nothing is more important than giving kids a chance to just be kids.”
Since 1995, more than 8,175 riders have logged more than 11.9 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised $18 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities. Victory Junction has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam.
The 2017 Ride was made possible by presenting sponsor Manheim, as well as Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson, FCA Fleet, Racing Electronics, WinCraft Inc., FLUIDYNE Racing Products, Petty Family Foundation, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Headbands of Hope, Piedmont Moving Systems, Blue-Emu, Select-a-Vision, Heated Wear and Goody’s.
To look back at Petty and the riders’ journey, check out their posts on social media:
- • Facebook: www.facebook.com/kpcharityride and www.facebook.com/kylepetty45
- • Instagram: www.instagram.com/kpcharityride and www.instagram.com/kylepetty
- • Twitter: www.twitter.com/kpcharityride and www.twitter.com/kylepetty
For more information about the 23rd Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America or to make a donation, please visit www.kylepettycharityride.com.
About Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America
Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual cross-country motorcycle trek that raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction. The Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country. Now in its 23rd year, more than 8,175 riders have logged 11.9 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $18 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
We're proud to share that we raised $1.3 MILLION on this year's Ride! Thanks to all those who supported our cause! https://t.co/jitWFVl0Kd pic.twitter.com/V0UXVs0Ads— KylePettyCharityRide (@KPCharityRide) June 20, 2017
About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Co-founded by Kyle Petty and his family in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, North Carolina. Victory Junction exists to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment, always free of charge. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, foundations, organizations and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. Since the camp’s inception, more than 25,314 children and families have received not only a circle of support but experiences thought to only be possible by healthy children. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of Camps founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the rigorous guidelines of the American Camping Association. To learn more, please visit www.victoryjunction.org.
About Manheim North America
Manheim® is North America’s leading provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers to the largest wholesale used vehicle marketplace and most extensive auction network. Through 125 traditional and mobile auction sites and a robust digital marketplace, the company helps dealer and commercial clients achieve business results by providing innovative end-to-end inventory solutions. Approximately 18,000 employees enable Manheim to register about 8 million used vehicles per year, facilitate transactions representing nearly $57 billion in value and generate annual revenues of more than $2.6 billion. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com.
Press Release
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