ESTEVAN - A popular annual fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon is going to return this year, but it will have a new organizer and some changes in its format.
The Ride and Drive for Ronald McDonald House will take place on Sept. 8, with both motorcycles and vehicles involved. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. at the Sixth Street McDonald's in Estevan and the ride will begin at 2 p.m.
Participants will embark on a ride through the southeast, finishing up at Stoughton's Crossroads Inn, where they will enjoy a beef-on-a-bun supper. Raffle prizes will be drawn and then people will return home. One of the raffle prizes is a WestJet travel voucher from Ronald McDonald House.
There is a $20 fee per person for the ride.
The event was previously known as the Ride for Ronald McDonald House and was a popular motorcycle ride. It was organized by the Retreads, the Prairie Riders and the Prairie Winds motorcycle clubs over the years, but recent editions were run by a group of biking enthusiasts.
Chris White with the Crossroads Inn has taken over organization this year, with Raylene Fieber, who was involved with the ride for years, providing assistance. Fieber noted that White has been a supporter for years by hosting and preparing the supper at the inn.
"This was absolutely amazing, because when [long-time organizer] Pam Currie and I gave it up last year … we were worried it wasn't going to be taken over," Fieber told the Mercury and SaskToday. "But everything has to be passed on, and I'm so glad Chris stepped up, and she's asked for me to help her to keep it going."
The Ronald McDonald House provides valuable support to families with at least one child who has medical needs.
"The Ronald McDonald House gets the majority of their funding from donations from the community," said Fieber.
Last year's ride raised approximately $75,000, bringing the total for the 25 years to roughly $87,500.
Currie is pleased the event is continuing because she recognizes the time it takes to organize, but also the impact the Ronald McDonald House has for so many people in Saskatchewan.
"It was a success right to begin with and it just grew every year," said Currie. "It was a few more riders and a few more riders and a few more people donating to help us raise as much money as we could for the house."
Currie said she and her husband Paul expect to be there on Sept. 8, but it will be a weird feeling because they will be on hand as supporters rather than organizers.
"I never got to visit with everybody, because I was so busy running things. It will be nice to visit with everybody who is coming and showing up to go and support the House," said Currie.
While the Curries live in Esterhazy, she has talked to people in the southeast about the upcoming fundraiser, and they are also looking forward to it.
