Hey there... does anyone have spring fever? Mine is more like Riding Fever! Seeing pictures of last years rides & hearing people talk about their adventures heading down south where it is warmer to ride their bikes, make me want the warmer weather to come sooner! I have a cousin that lives in Ark. and he lets me know when he has been out on his bike, and how much warmer it is there than here in IA! Makes it even harder to wait for the warmer weather!
But on an up note, we have been starting the planning for our up coming poker run for the "Angel Ride to Save the TaTa's" We are hoping with all the things people are wanting to see & do that this ride will be as fun as the past ones!
We are also getting involved with the Bras For The Cause event that we will hold here in Ft Dodge, at the Country Club with a May Day Tea but held on April 30th, all the money raised helps local breast cancer people! I will be having some of the awesome bras posted on line so that you can see all the hard work that some people have gone to, to make these bras!
The one thing that I am looking forward to this year at the Angel Ride, is catching up with old friends, and meeting new friends... It has taught me over the last few years, that it is about the cause, not about who put it together, but more for those that it will help out in the end! Meeting some of the people that have gone through breast cancer has opened my eyes, to how lucky we actually are! Also finding out those that have had it, that I didn't know about... and those that are starting to fight for their lives, that just found out that they have breast cancer! It amazes me just how strong these people are, they may think that they are not strong at all, but they are truly amazing people!
I just saw a t-shirt logo that said that "WHOEVER SAID WINNING ISN'T EVERYTHING, NEVER HAD TO FIGHT CANCER" That kinda sums it all up!
Thanks for stopping to visit my blog~ Angel Ride Girl

ps: Thanks Cuz ~ for the awesome Harley coat! I love it!!

SET NEW DATE FOR 2010

Yes, the new date for this year ANGEL RIDE TO SAVE THE TATA's has been set! AUGUST 14th, 2010!!! We are still looking to see which way we will ride this year! Last year we had so many good comments that we took a new route instead of the same ole routes that every ride goes on, not that the ole routes are not good, but we just need to explore new places, meet new friends, and just plain have fun while doing it!
Last years ride ended up really good, and with all the money staying local to help those in the area here... sometime you just don't know who it will touch! People have come up to me and asked if I had breast cancer, and I tell them no, but I have meet many Awesome people working for this cause... ones that have touched my lives in many ways, to hear their stories of what they went through good & bad things... It makes you to Thank GOD that you are healthy!
Since the ride last year, I have known 3 women that are going through the beast cancer surgeries now... and know of one in my family that went through it 5 years ago, also another woman that went through it 7 years ago, that I didn't even know about... It makes you step back take a deep breath! A long deep breath to see how brave & strong these women are...they may not think that they are brave, but after listening to what they have to go through, and to still maintain a normal life, it is damn hard on everyone that they know & love, besides themselves.... and all I can say is "GOD give them the strength to "Keep On Fighting Like A Girl" because they need all that they can get"!
I am hoping that the ones that are going through the procedures now might help us at the TaTa run this year, maybe to share their stories of Faith & Hope & Courage! I know 2 of them that are going through it have helped out in different Breast Cancer benefits here locally, now the money they donated over the years will be helping them out in one way or another!
Thanks again for checking back with us... I hope that you continue to check back here on updates as I try to post them!! And I can't wait for the weather to warm up, so that we can all get back out on the roads!!
Until then~Drive Safe~ Angel Ride Girl

Hey there... Sorry so late in checking back with you from the run... Many people have asked if I have uploaded any pictures to the blog... Here are a few... I will add a few more in a day or so! I would like to find others from the run that have pictures too... as I am sure when you give a camera to 2 different people, you will get totally different views and shots from each camera!
We had a wonderful turn out that day and the rain backed off! I was so happy to see so many people come out to support our cause!
There are so many people that have breast cancer and don't talk about it... I am not sure if they are embarrassed about it, or not sure of what people will think of them... If they would only open up... there is so many people that I have met in just this last month that are survivors and supporters! Ones that I had no clue that they had breast cancer, but are 5-6 year survivors! I can only take my hat off to them, as they are true heroes in my eyes... it takes a very brave person to fight off the horrible cancer... these women (and some men) have the fight of & for their life! The ones that have opened up about it, each has given me some info on what has gone on in their fight! I am more than glad to listen to their stories... gives other inspiration for their fights ahead of them!
Thanks again for all the support that you give to the Breast Cancer event!
Take Care & God Bless you all~ Keep on Riding....
~~Angel Ride Girl~~


FIGHTING FOR A CURE!

SIGN UP!


THE SIGN AT SIGNUP! THANKS TO ALL THAT OPENED THEIR BUSINESS' FOR OUR CAUSE!

WE SAW ALL TYPES OF THINGS ON THE RUN! : )

BIKERS OF ALL KINDS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

ONLY PART OF THE CROWD!


FROZEN T-SHIRT CONTEST!

Day after the ride...

Wow!
Wow is all I can say about yesterday! The day started out with a few clouds, but at sign up for the Angel Ride, here came the rain! Not a little one, but much rain! We were so bummed that people wouldn't come... at 1st we had a couple bikers come to wish us well... they were on their way to another event in a different town... It was fun chatting with them tho! Always fun to meet new people!
Then all the sudden here come the people, a few at 1st then a whole bunch! WOW! 211 people total came to the ride! Even tho it was raining, they came! Bless their wet hearts! I told a few, "Breast Cancer doesn't take a day off for the rain" and they agreed! Then there were a few guys saying "Your going get wet....heehee" I looked at them and said see all these women in t-shirts... need I say more! They stopped teasing me & agreed that it wasn't all that bad! :)
I don't have my pictures uploaded yet. But I wanted to thank all of those people that came out in the rain to make this event an awesome one! ~ Oh the rain broke for the most part before noon... so it wasn't too bad on the road!
If it wasn't for them coming out in the rain to ride, We wouldn't have such a great event! I will let you all know later how much we made for the TRH Oncology!
This next Sat there is going to be a golf outing to make money for the Susan G Breast Cancer fund! My hubby & I will help them out for awhile, as they came out to help us! It is good to help others, as there maybe a time that you want someone to help you out...kinda like paying it forward!
I would also like to thanks all the ones that helped us out when things were getting hectic with the auction & selling shirts! People jumped in to help us... we were not expecting that! There were so many wonderful people there! Thanks! ^j^
Take Care~ And safe travels~ Angel Ride Girl

11 hours until the ride!

The minutes are ticking away until the ride! Wow less than 9 hours to go! Hope you have all your bikes cleaned & gassed up ready to go!
I just got a call tonight that there is going to be a band after the ride! Wow this is something extra to top the event off!
Come to the ride & if you are busy, stop down to Amigos after the ride to check out the auctions, the music & to meet up with your friends! Remember this is a great cause to help out with!
Take Care & hope to see you all tomorrow morning! ~ Angel Ride Girl

2009 Messenger article

Shirley Hanna displays a page from the calender produced as a fundraiser for the Angel Ride “To Save the Ta Tas” event on August 15.


Support of a good cause takes many roads.

This year, the third annual Angel Ride to Save the Ta Tas, scheduled Saturday, will take the roads less traveled, going as far as Carroll and Auburn before returning to Fort Dodge and a night filled with activities.

For the first time, the Angel Ride also includes a "local boy" calendar for sale along with T-shirts, bandannas and a wide range of items to be offered at auction after the fun run.

This is a motorcycle run, said organizer Shirley Hanna, but, "we'd like to see some classic cars come in, too."

All money raised will be donated to the Trinity Regional Medical Center oncology services to buy wigs and scarves for women fighting cancer and to pay for transportation to treatments.

"We need all the help that we can get to raise money for this cause," Hanna said. "Also to raise awareness in the fight."

More than $3,000 was raised during the first Angel Ride two years ago, and last year brought in more than $5,500. Hanna hopes for another large jump in donations.

The calendar idea came about, she said, "as a good way to bring in some of our greatest supporters, the men in our lives."

Twelve local men and a few boys "stepped up to the plate to help us out," she said.

Steve Jackowell is Mr. January; Jamie O'Brien, February; Buck Yoder, March; Dean Underberg, April; Ryan Reekers, May; Bill Barkley, June; Sgt. Ryne Barker with Kannon Graham, July; Loren Zuspann, August; Doug Smith, September; Duran Barlow, October; Brian Pflibsen, November; and Scott and Sam Mericle, December.

The calendar is the kind of thing Hanna hopes will draw attention to the project and money to the coffers. She said she hopes those who buy the calendars enjoy them as much as the committee did putting them together.

This Angel Ride coincides with the annual Dragonboat festival, which seems appropriate, Hanna said. It was her involvement with the Dragonboat festival and the Angels Abreast team that inspired her to set up the first motorcycle ride. Keeping the fundraiser going just seemed right. Still, she said, it's the volunteers who help with the project that keeps it running, Her sister, Lynda Lowery, is co-chairman.

Not counting the funds raised for the hospital's oncology unit, this Angel Ride is important simply because it keeps the fight against breast cancer in the forefront, Hanna said. It will be a pink ribbon day.


Fact Box

If you go:

WHAT: Third annual Angel Ride to Save the Ta Tas

WHEN: Registration between 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday. All riders expected back by 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Registration at Community Tap and Pizza. Ride will go to Tony's at Farnhamville, Heroes in Lanesboro, Harley Davidson at Carroll, Shotz in Auburn, Lynchs in Rockwell City and Juds at Knierim. The Angel Ride will end at Amigo's in Fort Dodge.

RIDE fee is $10 per person.

LOCAL-BOY CALENDARS promoting breast cancer awareness will sell for $15; T-shirts, $15; and bandannas, $3. T-shirts and bandannas for sale at Sun Market & Deli, Party Productions, Healthwise Concepts and Community Tap and Pizza. Calendars are available at Kimmy's Photography, Sun Market & Deli and Party Productions.


Contact Sandy Mickelson at (515) 573-2141 or smickelson@messengernews.net

The count down is here...

Tomorrow is the ride... Can't believe that it is here already... It is time to think if we have missed anything or what else needs to be done before the big event!
There are so many people out there that we want to thank for their support! Without the support from our family, friends, and God we couldn't of made it this far! And mainly from the support from the people that are willing to take their time out to come on this ride with us! We have worked hard at getting items for donations, preparing food for after the ride (75 lbs of burger!) Also to haul the items to the event! We have some bigger items this year!
I was asked last night, 'Do you think that you have 100 donation gifts?'. I told them "Yes I think we do plus"! Times have been tough this year, but with the event that we are working with, I do think that it hits home for allot of people!
When we were at Amigo's Wed night selling T-shirts we have I don't know how many people come up & let us know that they have fought breast cancer, their family has had it or they know someone with it... it was amazing & sent shivers up & down my spin...I can't imagine how they feel...
One special person that I want to thank I want to thank for all her help is Brooke Bickford & KKEZ! We had an interview at the radio station on Wed and she made us feel so comfortable & welcomed! And every day that I listen to the radio when she is on, she is talking about our ride & letting people know about the event! I am hoping with all this chat on the radio, signs up & everything that we have an awesome turn out!! Lets hope so anyway!
And one other person that I want to acknowledge is my sister! With out her vision about this ride 3 years ago we wouldn't be where we are today! There are days that we don't see eye to eye & days that we are grouchy at each other...but... without each other we would be lost! I keep after her & she after me... kinda each others support on those days that we don't want to get out of bed...
We have both worked hard at getting things going for this ride! Then we brought in another gal last year - Dawn Wesley... I was surprised that she wanted to help us this year! She worked her hinny off last year keeping things rolling for us, so that we could do the ride. We have put our full trust into Dawn, she is a one of a kind person, she is our precious rock to make sure that we are all on the right page! I know things would not run as smoothly without her. So Thank you Dawn for all you do! I know there are days that don't look good, but you are a true friend~ thank you!!
Well off to get more things done this morning... time is a ticking away! Need to get things ready to ride!
Hope to see you all tomorrow at the Angel Ride to Save the TaTas!
~Angel Ride Girl