Calling all Bikers/Motorcyclists/Riders Etc (And anyone else)

[Guest TankerHC]

I sat around late last night and this morning reading about Diabetes and some things in Tennessee. I came across something. I dont usually jump on causes unless they begin with the word Veteran. But this is a cause I am jumping on, for obvious reasons. While doing my reading I was surprised to learn that there are people all over Tennessee, and the US for that matter, who are unable to get their Diabetes Medications, are just about begging for test strips and are using expired Insulin because it is better than nothing. I have had to buy those test strips, just one box for me was over $125, in December I ran out of insulin because my prescription had not yet been delivered. I got a prescription and with my insurance my out of pocket was $50. If I would have had to pay the whole thing it would have been close to $200 for one bottle. So while sitting outside staring at my bike and wondering what I might do about that. I came up with an idea and I am announcing something. If I haven't learned anything else, one thing I have learned is how to plan, prep and execute. 

 

So I am announcing the "1st Annual Tennessee Civil War Run for Diabetes and Bike Show". 

 

I have already spoken this morning to a few people who are already on board with it. I have plenty of contacts throughout Tennessee who I KNOW will be on board.

 

By Wednesday there will be a Website, a Facebook Promotional Page and we will begin getting sponsorship.

 

This WILL happen absolutely and there is no maybe about it. 

 

The purpose is two fold. Primary will be to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. I will be contacting their office in Nashville tomorrow.

 

The secondary purpose will be to help Jeff Kretzer raise some food and money for the Rhea County Food Pantry.

 

So far this is where it is at.

 

This will occur end of May beginning of June time frame. On a Saturday and will last a big part of the day.

 

The bike show will be held first during the meetup. I already have two locations that I can use, I will inform when it is set in stone but both are good locations.

 

The show will end at a count up with votes and trophies will be given in several areas. All bikes are certainly welcome from a scooter to a 100,000 custom doesn't matter, you are all welcome to participate and ride.

 

I will be donating a Model 94 and a an new 870 or an HD shotgun as well as several optics and some other things for Jeff Kreutzer to auction off. I have been working with Jeff on his paperwork and he is now a registered Tennessee Non Profit and has applied for 501(c)3, he can act as Tax exempt and but as he was told by the Tennessee Gaming commission, he has his authorization letter to solicit donations, it is up to the donors to accept or not accept the receipts for any donations, if his paperwork does not come back prior to April 15th next year (And it should, IRS said they were out about 9 months but this should be faster), he will just have to pay taxes on his donations.

 

 

Entry to the bike show will be - dry food goods. When  Jeff started his free pantry, he wasn't sure how it would go, when he brings in food it is gone as quick as it comes in and he has rented out of pocket a small building. We would like to use this opportunity to get it stocked. Jeff will also be supplying some sort of breakfast for donations.

 

Entry to the run is going to be $20 per bike. Thats a lot less than most I have seen who charge $25 for the rider and $20 for the passenger. Every penny will go to the American Diabetes Association in Nashville. I will be contacting them tomorrow.

 

The run is going to go through, with stops, various Civil War sites. Currently I am looking at a ride through Chickamauga and follow the path of Longstreets Advance towards Knoxville with stops at critical battle sites along the way. Total will be in the range of 100 miles. There should be no problem with a ride through the Battlefield, I see them do it at Gettysburg, coming out of Gettysburg HD all the time. But I will be calling NPS tomorrow to make sure and do what is required.

 

At each stop there will be a short speech on the history of the location, we will insure that each location is "Kodak friendly". (Good place for photography) We will also be contacting some re-enactors to set up a living history display at the show. 

 

There is more to come, this is preliminary. If anyone here is interested you can send an email to cwrunfordiabetes@gmail.com with Diabetes in the subject to receive frequent updates.

 

We are going to "make this happen". If anyone is interested in riding, volunteering (I already have some volunteers to help run the show), re-enactors, and someone here has portable BBQ for the end of the run or something like that, that would like to set up, please email to that address. We will eventually be getting all of that, the faster the better.

 

Thanks

 

J

Edited March 23, 2014 by TankerHC

[Photoguy67]

I am interested in this and will pass it along to my fellow riders in Sons of Liberty Riders.

[DaveTN]

As you make your plans, See if you can get some decent hotel rates for those of us from the MidState or West Tennessee that want to come.