To the Editor:

On Sept. 14, The Ole Smokehouse will be hosting our sixth annual “Ride for a Voice” Motorcycle Run to benefit suicide. Money will be donated this year in the form of scholarships to students who have battled mental health issues and/or are going into a health profession.

A portion of the proceeds will also go to the Madrid New Beginnings Food Pantry. Our motto is “No Story or Ride Should End Too Soon” whether from Suicide or from Hunger.

We really appreciate our ever so generous community and all the support we receive from local businesses year after year. At this time we are asking businesses to become T-shirt sponsors for our Bike Run. We are hoping for 75-100 bikes at this year’s run and sponsor names would appear on each of this year’s shirts.

The minimum donation is $100 to be listed on our sponsor list. This year we are offering the advertisement on the sleeve to the two companies/organizations with the largest donations. T-shirt sponsor checks can be made payable to “Ride for a Voice” and can be mailed to Tricia Agen, 9465 State Highway 56, Massena, NY 13662 by July 31.

If your business would prefer to donate an item, we will be having a Chinese Auction, raffles, and door prizes. We appreciate and look forward to all donations of any amount and all the dedicated support to this event each year. We are asking to have all non-cash donations back by Aug. 31.

Any questions regarding this year’s benefit, entering the ride, donations or sponsorships please feel free to contact Tricia Agen at (315) 244-3151, Robin Barkley at (315) 322-4125 or Amanda Deleel at (315) 250-2117.

The “Ride for a Voice” Committee