The Forever Family Ride inspired Riders from all over Northern Colorado to gather together on Labor Day for a scenic ride throughout the beautiful Colorado foothills in order to raise awareness and support for local children who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, and are at-risk.
In its 12th year, and a year fraught with pandemic-related effects, the 2021 Forever Family Ride raised nearly $28,000 for the Realities For Children Charities Emergency Funds! Generous underwriting donations from event sponsors – Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson, Law Tigers, Lion Home Services, and Sunrise Ranch, ensured that 100 percent of the proceeds from the event registrations and monies were raised during the live auction went to the Realities For Children Charities Emergency Funds.
Forever Family Ride – Why We Ride…..
The specific focus of the Forever Family Ride is on helping children in Larimer County who have been displaced from their homes due to abuse or neglect, and to offer support while they wait to ‘find their forever family’. Each registered Rider received a windshield sticker with the name of a Colorado child waiting for their Forever Family and was encouraged to ride in honor of that child.
This past year was difficult for many
The pandemic isolation of the last year and a half has been felt greatly all over, but perhaps, even more so, within the lives of children who suffer from abuse and neglect. Last year alone, Realities For Children provided emergency services to 5,618 children.
These children would have slipped through the cracks had it not been for the support of our generous Sponsors, Riders, and Supporters.
We know that this was a difficult year for many of you, too. We saw and felt this when our long-time partners, Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson made the difficult decision to cancel their long-running Thunder In The Rockies Motorcycle Rally.
We had a few less riders this year, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm from our Forever Family Ride participants! Riders, Passengers, and the community at large came together as a Forever Family of Bikers to let our children in ‘out of home placement’ know that they are loved, and have a support system until they know a Forever Family of their own.
Forever Family Ride – Where We Rode…..
The Forever Family Ride once again began at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson. All pre-registered Riders and Passengers received coffee and tasty breakfast burritos provided by Santiagos.
Kickstands were up at 10:30, and bikers enjoyed a scenic, one-hour ride on pristine roads up to Sunrise Ranch, just west of Loveland. The route was managed by many volunteers, Harley Owners-Road Captains, Traffic Masters, and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department.
Once at Sunrise Ranch, participants were treated to tasty burgers and dogs provided by the Sunrise Ranch staff, and cold drinks provided by Eagle Rock Distributing Company and served by Hooters.
Our Amazing Triumph Award Winner
The Forever Family Ride came to be as a reminder to at-risk children that they are not alone.
This year’s Riders got to meet one of the children who has felt the love of this collective Forever Family of bikers and alike.
Katana was one of the 2021 recipients of the Realities For Children Triumph Award Scholarships. She is not only a survivor, but she is also a powerful voice for children who have been silenced by abuse.
Katana spoke to the gathered crowd. She told her story. She shared her strength, her heart, and her triumph.
Her moving speech inspired many to participate in the Live Auction that immediately followed. It was a record breaking event, and once again, 100% of the winning bids collected went to the Realities For Children Charities Emergency Funds.
Forever Family Ride – Why we fly???
New to this year’s event – and to the world – were the World’s First Skydiver-Biker Relay Rodeo Games. This part of the Forever Family Ride was a new fast favorite and the perfect way to celebrate the spirit of this amazing event!
Our friends from Those Guyz Skydiving Team kicked off the races! We had 3 Divers jump with Beverage “Batons”. They then passed these batons onto our Biker Teams on the ground — Superman Team, Batman Team, and Wonder Woman Team.
These teams completed a series of timed challenges:
- Riding children’s bikes through traffic cones
- Tipsy waiter challenge
- Dressing the part and chugging the baton from the sky
The team with the fastest time won bragging rights and a cash prize. The winners of our inaugural event were the Superman Team! They generously donated their prize back to the Realities For Children Emergency Funds.
Forever Family Fun for a Good Cause
It was an epic year for the 2021 Forever Family Ride — a heartwarming program featuring one of our amazing and triumphant kids, an exciting new experience with the Skydiver-Biker Relay Rodeo Games, and a great effort in fundraising!
We are thankful to all of the Riders, Passengers, and Volunteers who came out in support of this cause and the children we serve.
You can find photos and videos from this amazing event on our Realities Ride and Rally Facebook Page. We will be updating the Forever Family Ride webpage with photos and final Ride information as well.
On behalf of all of the children we serve, thank you for stepping up and letting our children know that they are not alone. Thank you for providing the hope that they need until they know the love of a Forever Family of their own.
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