Healthy Living Newsletter
Get Your Motor Runnin’
Motorcycles for Mercy Finds Adventure on the Road
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| More than 190 motorcyclists and enthusiasts took to the road in September 2007 to support the Peoples’ Clinic for Better Health through the Motorcycles for Mercy Poker Run. Now in its second year, Motorcycles for Mercy is a grass roots effort designed to support this important service that provides free medical care to community residents who lack health insurance and the financial resources to pay for their care. |
More than 190 local motorcyclists and enthusiasts got their motors runnin’ in early September 2007 to support the Motorcycles for Mercy Poker Run.
In addition to the run, participants also enjoyed a Classic Bike Show and a special appearance by the custom bike shop, the Detroit Brothers, held at the Seaway Terminal in Port Huron.
The crowning moment of the event, however, was when the winner of the 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail Motorcycle was announced. The distinctive motorcycle, worth more than $18,000, was raffled off as part of the activities. The winner is Bill McNaughton, a local community member and avid motorcyclist.
In its second year, Motorcycles for Mercy is hosted and coordinated by area volunteers and organizations, and is designed to help financially support the Peoples’ Clinic.
Peoples’ Clinic for Better Health is cosponsored by the St. Clair County Medical Society and Mercy Hospital, and is funded in part by the United Way of St. Clair County. It is available to St. Clair County residents 18 to 64 years of age who lack health insurance and the financial resources to pay for their care.
This year, the event had grown even larger and included the resources of local groups and organizations such as:
- Acheson Ventures
- Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Gilbert’s Harley-Davidson of Port Huron
- Port Huron Motorcycle Club
The event was sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).
The Motorcycles for Mercy committee is proud to announce that $5,000 was presented to the Mercy Hospital Foundation to financially support the Peoples’ Clinic and its medical programs.
“The support from motorcyclists for this event was truly outstanding,” comments Paul Maxwell, Director of Public Affairs, Acheson Ventures. “To see so many people enjoy a day dedicated to raising funds and awareness of the Peoples’ Clinic was a terrific accomplishment. The work that Peoples’ Clinic does and the need for their services is tremendous.
“This year, we doubled the contribution to Peoples’ Clinic from the event last year, and I see support for this project continuing to grow,” Paul says. “When times are good the need is great; when times are bad the need increases.”
Motorcycles for Mercy was so successful, the committee is already in planning for next year, with the event scheduled for September 2008.
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| Community member and avid motorcyclist, Bill McNaughton, sits atop the 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail he won after purchasing a raffle ticket in the Second Annual Motorcycles for Mercy Poker Run to benefit the Peoples’ Clinic for Better Health. |
“We have a vision, and I think it’s shared by the committee, to develop this project to include an entire weekend, continue to raise awareness of the Peoples’ Clinic and possibly spur tourism and other activities,” comments Shaun Gorden, St. Clair County Administrator, and a member of the event’s organizing committee.
“With unemployment at 13 percent in the City of Port Huron, I can only assume the need is great and will continue to grow. I think our committee and motorcyclists will work successfully in meeting this challenge.”
“This type of support from the community is extremely meaningful to the volunteers, physicians and staff, who work tirelessly to provide care to the poor and underserved,” comments Peter Karadjoff, President and CEO of Mercy Hospital. “And, unfortunately, more and more individuals need the support of the clinic. That’s why community-sponsored events such as this are so important.”
To find out more about Peoples’ Clinic for Better Health and how to access care, call (810) 985-4747. To find out how you can help others in need of medical care through the Peoples’ Clinic, call the Mercy Hospital Foundation at (810) 985-1675.
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