Ten local cancer organizations will share $152,500 in their efforts to fight cancer and help families affected by it thanks to a donation presented to them by the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer Foundation on Wednesday, August 12, at Vandervest Harley-Davidson of Green Bay.
“Cancer doesn’t take a day off,” said cancer survivor and ride organizer Jerry Parins, a retired captain with the Green Bay Police Department and Director of Corporate Security for the Green Bay Packers. “This ride is so special because all of the work is volunteered time by so many people.”
Funds for the $152,500 donation was raised from last year’s Jerry Parin’s “Cruise for Cancer” event, the Drift Inn Chili event, as well as donations from the Green Bay Packers Organization and from numerous individuals and families. This year’s recipients are: St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Compassionate Care, Bellin Health Oncology Patient Fund, Unity Hospice, St. Vincent Child Life, Colton’s Cure, Angel Classic, Ovarian Cancer, Ribbon of Hope Breast Cancer, Leukemia Lymphoma, Families of Children with Cancer.
This year’s 17th Annual Jerry Parins “Cruise for Cancer”, dubbed “The Essential Ride,” was held on Sunday, August 23rd starting at Vandervest Harley-Davidson of Green Bay, 1966 Velp Avenue in Howard.
The ride paraded through the streets of Green Bay and Allouez to support the five cancer families that are being honored this year. Fire trucks and police officers on Harley-Davidson motorcycles led the parade. Broadway Chevrolet sponsored vehicles that the cancer families rode in during the parade.
Following the ride, a tailgate party was held outdoors at Vandervest Harley-Davidson. The party included live music, food trucks, and raffles.
Parins said this ride has gone a long way in helping the fight against cancer. “Vandervest Harley-Davidson and their supporting Packerland Harleys Owners Group have put this ride together for the 16 years,” he said. “We are proud to say that, over the years, we have raised $2 million for 501C3 cancer organizations.” For more information, visit www.cruiseforcancer.org or www.vvhd.com.
Caption: Jerry Parins presents a $7,500.00 check from the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer Foundation to Tom Rueckl and Mary Eckert from Ribbon of Hope Foundation.
