The 7th Annual Special Olympics Kaua‘i Benefit Ride is open to motorcycles, hotrods, classic cars, imports and the general public. The ride starts at 10 a.m. from the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention hall with the convoy traveling to Waimea, returning
The 7th Annual Special Olympics Kaua‘i Benefit Ride is open to motorcycles, hotrods, classic cars, imports and the general public.
The ride starts at 10 a.m. from the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention hall with the convoy traveling to Waimea, returning through Po‘ipu before parking at the convention hall for lunch.
Registration is by donation and a minimum $20 contribution earns a free commemorative event t-shirt. It also enables the rider to qualify to win some lucky number drawing prizes, states a release from Kaua‘i Special Olympics.
Registration opens from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. with the convoy leaving at 10 a.m.
The event is not restricted to riders and drivers as guests can bid on silent auction items. Lunch from the Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa is also available for purchase.
“This is Special Olympics Kaua‘i’s last major event of the year and we invite everyone to either participate in The Ride, or just come down to see all of these beautiful machines in the same place at the same time and having lunch from the Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa,” said Shelly Gerardo of the Special Olympics Kaua‘i.
Menu of the day includes chili and chicken plate with tickets available in advance from any Kaua‘i Special Olympics athlete.
“We will continue to pray for good weather this weekend,” Gerardo said. “However, the Special Olympics Kaua‘i Benefit Ride will take place on Sunday, rain or shine. We have been blessed with so many awesome supporters over the years.”
Gerardo said although participating in an organized ride and the camaradiere of the day is enjoyable, many members of car and motorcycle clubs on the island have said their main mission is to come out on the day of The Ride to support Special Olympics.
“We are so humbled by this response and sincerely appreciate their support year after year,” Gerardo said.
Over the past 40 years, Special Olympics has grown from a modest program serving local athletes to become the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities.
This is done with sports, through which the power of sport transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and unites everyone by fostering community-building.
For more information on the convoy and ride, call Kaua‘i Police Department Sergeant Ezra Kanoho at 241-1650 or Gerardo at 639-3398. To enroll an athlete or to volunteer, call Jocelyn Barriga at 652-8662.
