To the Editor:

On Saturday July 30, 128 motorcycles lined up at the Clark-Robinson American Legion in Norwood to celebrate the 17th Annual Motorcycle Run to benefit Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley. For the last sixteen years, this event was organized by Roger and Linda Willmart and their family and friends. This year, Roger “Porky” Willmart decided to pass the torch to another group to allow them to carry on the annual tradition and continue to support the important care provided by Hospice. Members of The Women in The Wind – SLV Vixens Chapter graciously accepted the responsibility of coordinating and organizing the many details of this event.

With help from many individuals and businesses, the ride raised $4,433.58 to benefit Hospice’s many programs. The proceeds will go directly to helping Hospice staff provide end of life care for patients and their families in St. Lawrence County. In its entirety, the event has raised nearly $80,000 to benefit the organization over the last seventeen years.

We thank the members of the Norwood American Legion for hosting the start of the run and the dinner afterward once again this year. Their donations of salads and side dishes, coffee, silverware and other necessities helped everyone enjoy a wonderful meal. As always, Elaine Saarinen organized an excellent crew of servers and kitchen help. The Legion warmly welcomed the bikers and ensured a fantastic start and finish to the day.

Participants enjoyed a ride of approximately 100 miles that stopped at the Akwesasne American Legion Post 1479, J.C. River Run in Waddington, and the Heuvelton AMVETS Post 1997 before returning to the Norwood American Legion for dinner and prizes. Many thanks to Rick and Eileen Fregoe of Rad to the Bone BBQ for preparing a delicious meal.

This year’s raffle was a great success with prizes donated by businesses and individuals throughout the community. Hospice’s most sincere thanks go to the following for their raffle gifts:

Porky & Linda Willmart, Dan & Bob Agen, K. McLean, Dale Willmart, K. Sequin, Anson Burke Insurance Agency, Pete & Karen Terriah, Liza Williams, Cal Williams, Harry Caring, the Shamans MC, Hellbound Customs, Patty & Keith Gonyea, Frank & Julie Colbert, Cindy Sullivan, Bob and Penny O’Brien and Mary Davidson, Rad to the Bone BBQ, Bob & Penny O'Brian, Sovie's Cycle Shop, Best Western University Inn, Canton Tire, Woodchop Shop, Ye Olde Liquors, Partridge Run Golf Course, Waldroff Farm Equipment, Cindy's Cake Shop, Mid-State Golf Carts, Baker Power Sports, Fun Unlimited, Beasley's Liquor & Wine, Route 68 Sales & Service, Moser's Custom Trim, Bowlmor Lanes, Seaway Tire & Auto, Verville's Flowers, Exotic Expose, A. Cappione, Inc., B&M Performance Cycle, Al Smith's Pizzeria, LeBerge & Curtis John Deere, Lloyd's Lumber & Logging, Pepsi Cola Ogdensburg, Mort Backus & Sons, Inc., Kinney Drugs, Potsdam Agway, White Ace Hardware, Monroe Muffler, Pizza Hut, Bailey's Florist, Jreck's Sub, Walmart, The Lounge, Martin's Maple Street Station, Rosie's Hawg Dogs, Special Tee Printing, Moody River Cycles, JC River Run, Laneauville's Liquors, Murphy's Mini Mart, Mojo Rising Tattoos, Akwesasne Casino, Custom Cycle, White's Flowers, Diamond Propane, Potsdam IGA, Skunk's Nest, Edge of Town Auto Sales, Structural Wood Corp., Potsdam Specialty Paper, Route 11 Truck Sales & Service, Parkway Auto, The Club, and Romeo's Liquors.

We thank the many motorcycle riders and passengers who came out to support the event. We see many familiar faces year after year and the support and generosity of those who attend is greatly appreciated.

Additional thanks to the many groups of law enforcement who helped keep safety the primary concern of the run.

Hospice is deeply grateful to the Women in the Wind - SLV Vixens Chapter for taking on the Annual Motorcycle Run to benefit Hospice to ensure this essential support continues. Their efforts prior to and during the event made it a well-organized and safe experience for all who came out to ride for Hospice. Members of the group worked hard collecting raffle prizes, planning the route, and promoting the event. The group did a fantastic job in their first year and we look forward to working with them again next summer.

Lastly, Hospice would like to extend its deepest thanks and gratitude to Roger and Linda Willmart for the time, effort and energy they put into organizing the Motorcycle Run for the past seventeen years. Their dedication to this event has had an invaluable impact in the lives of many people throughout St. Lawrence County and we will forever be grateful to their family for their longstanding support. Although they have passed the torch on to new organizers, we hope to see them riding in the event for many years to come!

Ruth Fishbeck

Executive Director