By Jeani G.

On Sunday October 8th, Gator Ken and I joined over 550 participants for the exciting 29th annual Bruce Rossmeyer Ride for Children. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office did an amazing job escorting the ride from Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley-Davidson to Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, stopping traffic all along the way and keeping the riders safe. Seeing the happy, smiling faces of campers, volunteers, and staff as we arrived was touching and very inspiring.

The successful event raised over $300,000 for Camp Boggy Creek, a non-profit medically equipped camp nestled on 232 acres that enables children with serious illnesses to enjoy an unforgettable camp experience where they can simply be kids … make new friends, engage in fun activities like archery, horseback riding, swimming, boating, music, woodshop, creative arts … and so much more.

Bruce Rossmeyer started this event a year before the camp opened and over the past 29 years, the ride has raised over $7 million dollars in support of this amazing facility. It was great seeing Bruce’s wife Sandy, and children Mandy, Shelly, Wendy, Will and many other family members enjoying the day’s festivities!

John Hamlin and Hamlin & Associates were the presenting sponsor, with a huge lineup of major sponsors: the Rossmeyer family, Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley-Davidson, Jeanmarie & Collin York, Miller Lite, WHOG radio and the Rock of Daytona to name a few. Grand Marshals included Camp Boggy Creek Ambassador and actress Grace Van Patten, Katey Sagal, Kurt Sutter, Jackson White, Rusty Wallace, Doug “Danger” Senecal and Frank Scott.

Outback Steakhouse served a delicious lunch and Are Friends Electric kept the enthusiastic crowd entertained all afternoon with their unique take on rock ‘n roll. There were lots of fabulous silent auction items to bid on and the live auction was exciting and fun … especially the playful “bidding wars” that ensued between John Hamlin and Teddy Morse.

Every year, this fundraising event is a much-loved favorite of so many riders and organizations, and this year was no exception! If you couldn’t make it this time, we hope you can join us next year for the spectacular 30th anniversary gala and ride! In the memorable words of Bruce himself, “It’s all about the kids!”