Saturday morning at 9 AM registration begins at Fatman’s Warehouse for the Midwest Veterans Association’s THUNDER RIDE. The motorcycles and vehicles participating will pull away from Fatman’s at 11 AM, riding all over the Illiana area to support homeless Veterans. Susan Gutterridge, the Midwest Veterans Association President and Executive Director, says this event serves a wide area, with participants from an even wider area.
AUDIO: Homeless Veterans within 36 counties in East-Central Illinois and West-Central Indiana. We do have some that come over from, I’ve had them from Michigan, I’ve had them from Tennessee. I’ve had them from up near Chicago that come down; I have a group that comes from Evansville every year.
Gutterridge says this is the 16th year for this Thunder Ride event. Cost is $20 per driver and $10 per passenger. Last year they raised about $14,500 for homeless Veterans. Gutterrridge says if you’re participating or planning to see everyone off, get there during the 9 to 11 registration period and enjoy the proceedings, and the food.
AUDIO: You can come in and have biscuits and gravy; or perhaps you just want some fruit or maybe just a cereal bar or something to snack on, because you don’t want to be weighted. Coffee, orange juice, milk; we have all that. And kickstands up at 11, and we’ll have the Danville Police Department take us out.
Gutterridge says all vehicles are welcome for the Thunder Ride; but cars are asked to put on their flashers, and follow the path the bikes are on. Since 2012, the Midwest Veterans Association has raised and donated in excess of $389,000.
