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Hospice Run kicks off drive
Published Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Joyce Hanstad knows firsthand what it’s like to care for someone with a terminal illness. Twelve years ago, Hanstad watched over a friend battling the late stages of cancer.
“I was with her every day for almost seven weeks,” Hansted said. “When hospice came, it was such a relief.”
Now Hanstad is giving back, one of several volunteers who visit patients under the care of Lakeland Hospice and Home Care. After two years with the Fergus Falls nonprofit, Hanstad has not only worked with patients but helped with the Lakeland Hospice Motorcycle Run — an event that’s already getting into gear this spring.
The annual run is Lakeland’s largest fundraiser, with all of the proceeds going to hospice care. Scheduled for Sept. 6, the run kicks off at noon from UMotors and will cover a roughly 130-mile course before returning to Z103 Bar and Grill for supper, music and a drawing for a 2008 black Heritage Softail Classic Harley.
One of the best parts of the ride, said Fund Development Coordinator Tammy Anderson, is hearing participants’ hospice stories.
“There seems to be a lot of people who’ve been touched by hospice,” she said. “It means a lot to them to be able to ride and give back to something that mattered so much to them.”
Anderson said the organization also gets comments year after year regarding how safe riders feel on the run.
This year’s ride may be months away, but the giveaway Harley is already on the move. It will tour sponsoring businesses in communities including Fergus Falls, Elbow Lake, Henning and Ottertail for the next several weeks. A $20 raffle ticket — one of only 2,500 available — enters you to win the roughly $17,000 bike, as well as several cash prizes.
Hospice supporters will tell you Lakeland is worth every penny.
“I am humbled to be a part of this ministry whose sole purpose is to care for and comfort hurting people,” Hanstad said. “It is very rewarding to know that in some small way you can make their day brighter.”
For more on this year’s Lakeland Hospice Motorcyle Run, visit www.hospice-ride.com.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by horseygirl (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This ride is for a very good cause but I would like to send a word of caution to those first time riders. We went on this run three years ago and the leaders rode VERY hard and fast with stops at quite a few bars. At the end of the ride at the Greystone, there were a number of riders who had obviously had a little too much to drink. We finished but wished we had quit sooner. I was very surprised that no one was hurt due to the speed of the ride. SLOW DOWN!!! and
leave the alcohol until the end of the ride. Don't spoil this ride with someone getting hurt or even killed.
Posted by hindsight (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The years that I have been on this run it was quite contrary to the previous poster. There are scheduled stops but I wouldn't say that it was "quite a few". As I recall, it has been 3 stops that are long enough for 200 people to use the bathroom.
I was on 7 benefit runs last year and they were all conducted very professionally with the courses pre-run prior to the actual ride to ensure riders safety. Speeds were at or under the speed limit. There is a reason behind the number of stops and the amount of time at each stop, it does discourage the activity mentioned by horseygirl and its pretty much standard for the runs that I go on. Hospice being one of them. I would consider myself one of the riders that feels safe on this one.
Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on May 13, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This run is no different from any other,Except for the cause. I do agree to keeping the drinking heavy, for after the run. I hit alot of runs & I know most of the people who set this up & I have been a road guard on it the last 4 or 5 years. It is well planned & usually has alot of expereanced riders. I've seen crashes at runs & its usually do to someone turning their head to sight see, just as the bike in front of them is hitting there brakes. Ride with people you trust, watch the person in front of you & what the rest of the bikes up ahead are doing.
Hope to see you all this summer & ride safe :)
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