Rottin's Ride — A Ride to Benefit Alternatives in Motion
(Grand Rapids, MI) – A fundraising event called “Rottin’s Ride” will provide fun and food for motorcycle enthusiasts, plus money for Alternatives in Motion, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit organization that provides wheelchairs to individuals who lack the funds or means to acquire mobility equipment for themselves. The event will be held Saturday, August 21, 2004, starting at 9 a.m., at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe, NW in Grand Rapids (downtown, across from the Van Andel Arena). Riders and passengers will register for this scenic ride that will follow the Grand River to the Kirby House in Grand Haven, Michigan. Cost is $20 for riders; $5 for passengers, and includes lunch at the Kirby Grill.
A raffle will be held at the conclusion of the ride, following lunch (approximately 2 p.m.), with the Grand Prize being a 2004 Harley-Davidson FXSTI Softail Standard (vivid black). Other prizes will also be available.
The fundraiser was the brainchild of Arden Balkema, a Harley rider, himself. Balkema and Johnnie Tuitel (co-founder of Alternatives in Motion) both graduated from Hope College, where they were fraternity brothers. Tuitel earned himself the fraternity nickname “Rottin’,” hence the name of the ride.
Tuitel, a wheelchair user, plans to join in the 34-mile ride, using a sidecar. Of the fundraiser, he says, “This is by far one of the most awesome fundraisers we’ve had to date. This event fits in with mobility—something that is important to me as a wheelchair user. I hope we pack the street with bikers for Alternatives in Motion.”
When Tuitel and his business partner George Ranville started Alternatives in Motion in 1995, their goal was to donate 15 wheelchairs by the end of 1996 — a goal they met. Since then, Alternatives in Motion has raised enough funds to provide 416 wheelchairs and electric scooters to individuals throughout the United States.
For more information about Alternatives in Motion or the Rottin’s Ride event, access their website at www.alternativesinmotion.org or call 616.493.2620 (local) or toll free at 877.468.9335.
Contact: George Ranville
Phone: 616.493.2620
Email: georan@alternativesinmotion.org
