The Salvation Army has done so much for us through the years. It's great when we have the opportunity to help them out. Our family participated one year by ringing the bells at the Oakdale Mall and I was thrilled to be a part of their groundbreaking ceremony for their new community center. My grandmother was a volunteer as well.

Here is another way that you can help and have fun at the same time...especially if you like to ride motorcycles. It's "Bikers For Backpacks" Motorcycle Run & Rally on Saturday, August 5th.

You can also help out by joining me at NYSEG Stadium for Salvation Army Night with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies this Saturday, July 1st.

Get there early to hear motorcycle man and the leader of Bikers For Backpacks, Chet Schultz as he sings the National Anthem. He sings Boston's "Star Spangled Banner/4th of July Reprise" version and is worth the price of admission.

I'll be throwing out the first pitch...and hopefully not my arm.

All are invited to attend and you can buy $7 tickets and save $4 off regular price from the Salvation Army at 127-131 Washington Street in Binghamton and they are tax deductible.

You can also call Major Ron Heimbrock at (607) 722-2987 to get tickets.

You can display your bike in the stadium concourse and other designated areas. If you are displaying your bike, you can ride inside the field on the track before the game too.

Everyone who attends the game can register for the Coughlin & Gerhart Bikers for Backpacks ride. It's $20 rider and $10 passenger. A $10 Mirabito Gas Card will be given to each Rider Registrant until they are gone.

There is also a $5 Backpack "rental" available. Any rider or passenger can “rent” a backpack for the ride which will then be given to a camper.

The rider who wears the backpack can insert a picture of himself/herself with their bike and include an encouraging/inspirational message to the child to receive with the backpack. Thus, Bikers for Backpacks.

After the ride, there will be a concert and a cookout featuring the Caverners (Beatles Tribute Band). If you just want to go to the concert and help out the Salvation Army, you can get tickets for only $8.

There are many ways that you can help out this worthy cause even if you can't make it on August 5th. There is a group of female motorcyclists called Women In The Wind/Red Riding Hoods Chapter and they have rented 5 backpacks.

They are taking the backpacks with them on the Tail of The Dragon national convention in Tennessee which is going on at the same time as the Bikers for Backpacks ride. We hope you can find a way to help too.

All proceeds are used to pay for summer camp for children and teens from Binghamton at Camp Long Point, Penn Yan and to supplement Emergency Family Services of the Binghamton Corps of The Salvation Army.

The ride leaves from 8 locations and ends up at the Seneca Lake Duck Hunters Club. Go here to register and to find out the check-in location nearest to you and let's get ready to ride for The Salvation Army.

 

 

 

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