From a press release:
The Full Circle Program runs several residential houses and a farm in Dogtown, CA (Marin County) for abused boys. This program has been very successful in turning around the lives of boys who, in many cases, were on the fast track to prison. The program has been so successful in helping direct these young lads to productive lives that it has been studied by many others who are working to accomplish the same goals. However, like most charitable programs, it is in constant need of additional financial support.
Toward this end, The Sunday Morning Ride has adopted this program via an annual fundraiser. Participation in this event not only gives the attending motorcyclists the satisfaction of supporting this most worthwhile cause, but also helps improve the image of motorcyclists in the eyes of the community.
Last year, nearly 190 Sunday Morning Riders attended the fundraising breakfast at the Full Circle Program farm at Dogtown in West Marin. Most of the riders left the Arco Station at Tam Junction (just off the Hwy 1 exit from Hwy 101 in Mill Valley) at the usual 7:30 departure time for The Sunday Morning Ride. They were joined by approximately 80 to 90 more riders who arrived at the Dogtown location over the next 90 minutes.
Attending riders had the opportunity to meet local motorcycle hero, star of “On Any Sunday,” and former Grand National Champion, Mert Lawwill as well as defending AMA 250 GP Champion, Chuck Sorensen. Both signed autographs and spoke to the assembled riders.
For their $10 donations, riders were treated to a great breakfast spread consisting of coffee, juice, pancakes, sausage, granola, yogurt, sweet rolls, bananas, oranges and melons.
Commemorative T-shirts picturing Chuck Sorensen on his number one 250 Yamaha and sponsored by various industry supporters were given to all who attended. Bay Area motorcycle dealers and accessory manufacturers supported the event with over $5,000 dollars worth of merchandise and gift certificates, which were raffled off after breakfast.
During and after the raffle there was a great deal of swapping going on between winners as they traded one prize for another of more interest. We raffled a 2003 CR50 Husky mini motocross bike, which was donated by Munroe Motors. More than $7,500 was raised for the Full Circle Program.
Among other things, the money was used to purchase new beds, dressers and desks for all the boys’ rooms. In prior years funds raised have been used to repair the chimney for the stove which is used to heat the boys’ residence and to equip the residence with a complete computer lab with all peripherals including 10 computers, printer, and satellite internet connection, equipment that the program wanted but could not otherwise afford. The boys at the farm learned that there are a lot more people outside the program who care about them.
Participating motorcyclists enjoyed a beautiful day both on the roads of West Marin and at the farm. Nevertheless, 80 to 90% of the riders who attended were current or former Sunday Morning Ride regulars.
For this year’s event, we hope to see a lot more new faces. This is too much fun to be enjoyed by so few. Riders attending this year will get to meet Motocross Champion Brad Lackey. Brad is the 1972 AMA 500 Motocross Champion and the 1982 500 World Champion. Still an active racer, Brad is the 2000 AHRMA Over 40 Expert Champion. T-shirts featuring Brad in a 2004 AHRMA race will be given to all attendees with Brad available to autograph them.
Thousands of dollars worth of motorcycle accessories and gift certificates will be raffled. Also, a new 50cc Peugeot scooter, street legal in Europe but not in California, will be raffled. This is a great pit bike for racers as well as a good learn to ride scooter for kids.
We will appreciate any and all support you can provide for the eighth annual ride on October 10, 2004. Riders can join with other riders at the Arco station at Tam Junction (just off Hwy 101 at the Hwy 1 North exit in Mill Valley). Riders will be leaving starting at 7:30 (the regular departure time for The Sunday Morning Ride) and continuing until 9:30 (to arrive by 10:00 AM).
This annual fundraising event benefits the Full Circle Program. Full Circle provides residential and counseling services for boys who have been abused or seriously neglected by the persons who should have been caring for them. Kids who may have been on the straight track to prison are turned around in a loving and caring environment that helps them to become productive and well adjusted members of society.
All participants will receive a free T-shirt with Brad Lackey’s picture. He will sign autographs and answer questions about the bike and racing.
The event, which includes a great breakfast for a $10 donation, free T-shirt and a drawing for motorcycle accessories and discount coupons from local dealers, raised over $7,500 last year. We hope to top that amount this year.
Last year local motorcycle dealers and shops contributed more than $5,000 worth of accessories and gift certificates. More than one rider left with $200 to $300 in motorcycle gear for his $10 to $20 investment in raffle tickets. All left with a feeling of having contributed to a very worthwhile cause.
This year a 2004 50cc Peugeot scooter donated by Munroe Motors in San Francisco will be raffled along with motorcycle accessories.
Breakfast and the drawings are held at the Full Circle farm in Dogtown on Hwy 1 about 1 mile north of Bolinas. We would like to encourage as many riders as possible to support this worthwhile event and take the opportunity to meet some of the boys in residence. It is also a great excuse to get out and enjoy the pleasures of Hwy 1 in Marin on a Sunday morning. Please invite 4 or 5 friends who would not otherwise be there to join you for the event. Let’s see if we can’t double last year’s turnout and funds raised!
