From staff reports
STEUBENVILLE - Organizers are revving up to help the 21-member agencies of the United Way of Jefferson County.
The ninth-annual Cliff Brewer Memorial Pledge Ride will be held July 13. The event, which organizers say is the largest local charity pledge ride, will begin at 12:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community College. Proceeds will benefit the 21 local non-profit agencies served by the United Way.
"More than 350 motorcyclists attended the 2007 pledge ride and raised more than $15,000 for the local United Way agencies," said Ken Perkins, chairman of the ride.
This year's event features a patriotic theme and will include a parade past the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, which will be on display at the Jefferson County Air Park. The ride will include stops at American Legion or VFW posts in Harrison, Carroll and Columbiana counties before concluding at Triple Play Cafe, where all riders will be served dinner at 4:30 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded to the top pledge riders and a Chinese auction will be held with all proceeds going to the United Way.
Perkins said the first 50 pledge riders raising $50 or more for the United Way will receive a T-shirt and an event pin.
"Already this year, we have more riders receiving a shirt and event pin than we have ever had in the past," Perkins said.
He added that the visit to the traveling Vietnam wall and the addition of visits to American Legion and VFW posts have already attracted a great deal of interest for the ride. Perkins said this year's run should exceed all previous runs.
Touring Level sponsors include the Herald-Star, WTOV-TV, Wal-Mart Distribution Center 7017, Sterling Auto Body and Paint, Perkins and Tri-State Financial, Apollo Professional Cleaning and Restoration, IBEW Local 246, Steubenville Division of NECA, Riesbeck's Food Markets, Valley Harley-Davidson, Wintersville Trophy Shop, Yes Team Automotive Group and Walnut Street Securities.
For information about the pledge ride, contact Perkins at (740) 264-4466 or Suzanne Kresser, executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County, at (740) 284-9000.
