More than 1,000 Bikers Ride to Save Babies and Raise $200,000 for the March of Dimes Georgia Chapter!

ATLANTA, GA (October 6, 2006) – With sunlight beaming off chrome details polished to perfection, hundreds of motorcycles roared through the streets of Atlanta Sunday afternoon. More than 1,000 bikers from all over the state turned out for the Peachtree Thunder Parade and raised $200,000 for the March of Dimes Georgia Chapter!

   Sunday’s parade marked the conclusion of a weekend full of bikes, bands and babies as thousands came out to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the March of Dimes Ride to Save Babies Weekend. The Hooters Kick-off Party got things started Friday night with live music. Saturday, it was leather, chrome and bands galore as motorcycle enthusiasts turned out for vendor showcases and the brand new Battle of the Bands competition! The winning band, Blind Tiger, had the crowd rocking Saturday and returned Sunday for an encore performance.

   The weekend wrapped up Sunday when motorcycles of every shape and size filled the Lakewood Exhibition Center before scores of bikers were led down Peachtree Street by the official Ride Goodwheel Ambassadors such as Ride Co-Chairs John Woodruff and Greg Becker and Eagle 106.7 FM’s Rhubarb Jones and FOX 5’s Lisa Crane.

   “This event has raised more than $4 million since it began just 15 years ago,” Woodruff said. “This is a community that continues to care about Georgia’s babies and we look forward to next year’s event.”

   With the chrome shining and engines roaring, the motorcycle procession made its way from Lakewood through downtown, midtown, Buckhead and back. Arriving back at Lakewood Exhibition Center, motorcycle enthusiasts enjoyed great food provided by Buffalo’s Cafe, live music and a variety of vendors showcasing bikes, gear and information. 

   One hundred percent of rider donations will benefit the March of Dimes Prematurity campaign in Georgia. Since the March of Dimes Ride to Save Babies Weekend’s inception 15 years ago, the event has raised $4.75 million for Georgia’s babies, helping to fund the expanded Georgia Newborn Screening Program benefiting more than 133,000 Georgia babies each year. If you missed this year’s event, be sure to come out next year to make the 16th Annual March of Dimes Ride to Save Babies the most successful yet!

   For more information, please visit www.marchofdimes.com/georgia or call 404-350-9800. 

   The March of Dimes would like to thank Kawasaki, X-1R Perfomance Lubricants, Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson, Granite Mountain Harley-Davidson, Full Throttle Magazine and Buffalo’s Southwest Café as the 2006 March of Dimes Ride to Save Parade sponsors, and Eagle 106.7 FM, Creative Loafing, WAGA-Atlanta FOX 5, WSB 750 AM as media sponsors.