By Heather Lusk
During the past eight years, Josiah’s Ride: Cruzin’ 4 a Cure has raised $81,200 to help nine youth and their families, beginning with namesake Josiah Nelson. For the ninth annual event Oct. 10, two more local children and their families affected by leukemia and lymphoma are being sponsored by the fundraiser, which is open to those who ride motorcycles and those who don’t.
“We don’t want to lose the fact that it is a motorcycle ride during the day, but we don’t want to be categorized as only that,” said Chrissy Koenig, the event organizer who initiated the first ride. “There are other ways to get involved and help these families.”
“We’re not motorcycle riders,” said Angie Worzalo, whose son Joey was diagnosed with leukemia and was a beneficiary last year, “but we get two T-shirts, two breakfasts, two dinners.”
Those who register to ride receive the meals at the American Legion, 9950 E. 600 S., plus other benefits and are invited to participate in the journey from Zionsville to Creekside Lodge in Crawfordsville and Hoops Sports Bar in Frankfort. Non-riders may follow in cars.
“The first two or three years we thankfully struggled to find families [to benefit],” Koenig said. “The last couple of years we’re hearing of more and more diagnosed children. You have to make a choice or you say, ‘Let’s just have two’.”
This year, Camden Cooper, 14, and Leah Killinger, 8, and their families will benefit from the ride.
“Every family has been from Zionsville, and we try to do that,” she said. “We want our local residents and sponsors to know that they’re sponsoring a local family.”
Corporate sponsorships are the backbone of the fundraising, but the American Legion website includes a link for Paypal donations.
“It’s not just for Legion members. It’s a great avenue to support these kids,” Worzalo said.
Breakfast is open to the public before the motorcycles leave. Every morning of the event they release red balloons in memory of Michael, a previous recipient, who “grew his angel wings” in 2011, Koenig said.
“You don’t have to register to come,” Koenig said. “You can just be there for the event.”
The riders return by 4 p.m. for a dinner, band, raffle and auction at the American Legion. A bounce house and face painting for kids will be set up on the lawn.
Reporter Kelsey Ligon contributed to this story.
