To the editor:

Every year on the last Saturday of July for the past 16 years, motorcyclists have come out to support Hospice. My friends and family spent many, many hours organizing the run each year and collecting raffle prizes and sponsorships from generous local businesses throughout St. Lawrence County.

Most years we had 150 or more bikes with the record being 312. The run was always safe and a good time to gather and show our support for the services Hospice provides in our community.

This year, I have decided it is time to pass the torch to another group to carry on the tradition of the annual Motorcycle Run to benefit Hospice. Maggie Marks, Stephanie Smythe and Marcy Smutz have formed a local chapter of Women In The Wind called the SLV Vixens Chapter.

They have chosen Hospice as their charitable cause and I will work with them to put the run together this year. Their experience participating in and organizing other runs will be helpful and I will give them the information I have collected over the course of 16 years of great rides.

I would like to thank everyone who joined the run each year. We saw many familiar faces and together raised more than $75,000 to support Hospice services. They are an important organization that helps many of our community members during a very difficult time.

I feel it is very important the motorcycle riders in our community continue to support them through the annual motorcycle run. I hope you will join me and the Women in the Wind, SLV Vixens Chapter on Saturday, July 30 as we celebrate the last ride of Porky’s annual Motorcycle Run and pass the torch to continue supporting this great organization.

Roger “Porky” Willmart and friends

Porky’s annual Motorcycle Run